2021-22 NBA Season: Top 5 pre-season games to watch out for

#3 LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns

LeBron James (#23) of the LA Lakers drives on Devin Booker (#1) of the Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns were responsible for sending a depleted LA Lakers team packing from the 2021 NBA playoffs in the first round. Anthony Davis' absence made all the difference, especially as LeBron James was also not fully fit.

D-Book was in the zone for Game 1 😤Lakers vs. @Suns // 10pm ET on TNT pic.twitter.com/LlS2s1QyYf

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 25, 2021

The Lakers will have an opportunity to exact revenge on the Suns, who were responsible for their early exit in the playoffs. With injuries out of the way, we'll see both teams face off with full rosters.

Both teams will meet twice in the pre-season (October 6 & 10) before their first game of the 2021-22 NBA season, which is scheduled for October 22. JaVale McGee will face some of his former teammates for the first time in a Suns uniform.

---

#2 Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets

Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34) of the Milwaukee Bucks heads for the net as Kevin Durant (#7) of the Brooklyn Nets defends

The teams that featured in the 2021 NBA playoffs Eastern Conference Semi-finals will once again go head to head.

This time a healthy Brooklyn Nets team will not depend on Kevin Durant to play every minute of the game. Even with a healthy roster, the Nets won't have it easy against the Milwaukee Bucks, as they have arguably the best power forward in the league right now.

Both teams will meet only once in the pre-season (October 8) before their season opener on October 19. What better way to usher in the new season with the two best teams in the East going head to head?

Even with the firepower on the Nets' roster, it will not be an easy game to call. Meanwhile, one thing is for certain: there will be no PJ Tucker to pester KD when both teams meet again during the 2021-22 NBA season.

---

#1 Brooklyn Nets vs LA Lakers

Anthony Davis (#3) of the LA Lakers drives to the basket on Jarrett Allen (#31) of the Brooklyn Nets.

The NBA has done all it can early in the preseason to give fans what could be a preview into the 2022 NBA Finals. The LA Lakers will square off against the Brooklyn Nets on the first day of pre-season, and that will be the only game to be played on the day.

If Brooklyn signs LaMarcus Aldridge, then Lakers vs. Nets this year will feature 11 players from the 2015 All-Star roster 🤯 pic.twitter.com/A4iiGBgSt1

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 2, 2021

Perhaps we could have gotten a taste of this matchup if both teams stayed healthy and managed to reach the 2021 NBA Finals. Nevertheless, the pre-season game will give us an insight on how both teams could line up and how the players will combine.

Although it will be a pre-season game that won't count towards either team's win-loss ratio for the 2021-22 season, both teams will be eager to display their strengths. However, players of both teams will be cautious not to get injured before the regular NBA season commences.