When the NBA schedule is released each summer, two dates basketball fans immediately circle are Opening Night and Christmas. In 2015-16, the New Orleans Pelicans will play nationally-televised games on both days.
After being scheduled to make a total of just two national TV appearances last season (one on ESPN, one on TNT; one was later added by ESPN), that number for the Pelicans has been bumped up to 13 this time, highlighted by early-season games at Golden State and Miami. The total of 13 appearances (eight on ESPN, five on TNT) ties the previous franchise record set in 2008-09, which came on the heels of a 56-win campaign in 2007-08.