Clippers open the season at home against the Memphis Grizzlies

The Clippers will open the 2012-13 NBA regular season at Staples Center on Oct. 31, against the Memphis Grizzlies, the team the Clippers defeated in seven games in the Western Conference first-round playoff series.

The schedule favors the Clippers early on, because eight of their first nine games are in Los Angeles.

Their first “away” game is Nov. 2 when the Clippers play the Lakers at Staples Center in the Lakers’ designated home game in the arena both teams share.

The Clippers also will play on Christmas Day for the second straight year, hosting the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center at 7:30 p.m.

And another highlight game will come when the Clippers host the NBA champion Miami Heat Nov. 14 at Staples Center.

The Clippers’ toughest road trip will take place from Jan. 30 through Feb. 11 when they play eight games against Minnesota, Toronto, Boston, Washington, Orlando, Miami, New York and Philadelphia.

The Clippers end the regular season on April 17 at Sacramento.

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broderick.turner@latimes.com

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