Lakers’ Opener: Dallas

The Lakers unleash their upgraded roster, with Gary Payton in the backcourt and Karl Malone at power forward, on the NBA for the first time during their season-opening game Oct. 28 against the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. at Staples Center.

The Lakers also face the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs three times in the season’s first two months, including Nov. 28 at Staples Center. The Spurs begin their title defense by playing host to the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 28.

The Clippers travel halfway around the globe to face the Seattle SuperSonics in their season-opening games Oct. 30 and 31 at Tokyo. They also play Nov. 7 against the Nuggets at Denver before making their home opener Nov. 11 against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center.

The Clippers’ also opened the 1994-95 season in Japan with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Top draft pick LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers open their much-anticipated season Oct. 29 against the Kings at Sacramento in a game televised by ESPN.

The Cavaliers, winners of only 17 games in 2002-03, did not appear on national television last season. But because interest in James is so great, they will make 22 national TV appearances in 2003-04.

Other highlights of the Lakers’ and Clippers’ schedules:

* James’ making his Staples Center appearances Dec. 3 against the Clippers and Jan. 12 against the Lakers.

* Malone’s facing the Utah Jazz, for whom he played 18 seasons before signing as a free agent with the Lakers earlier this month, for the first time Dec. 7 at Staples Center.

* The Lakers’ and Clippers’ playing the first of four games against each other Jan. 4 at Staples Center.

* The Lakers’ facing the Kings, their Pacific Division rivals, in the first of four games Jan. 16 at Sacramento.

* The Lakers’ and Clippers’ making lengthy trips leading up to NBA All-Star weekend Feb. 13-15 at Staples Center. The Lakers start a seven-game trip Feb. 1 against the Raptors at Toronto and the Clippers begin an eight-game trip Jan. 30 against the Heat at Miami.

Complete Laker and Clipper 2003-04 schedules on D7.