The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Dallas Mavericks on the opening night of the NBA season in one of three games scheduled for Oct. 28.

The league released its 2003-04 schedule Tuesday, also giving defending champion San Antonio a marquee spot on the first night of the season. The Spurs play the Phoenix Suns that night after the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers tip off the season's first game.

Kobe Bryant, charged with felony sexual assault in Eagle, Colo., will be allowed to play for the Lakers even if the charges against him have not been resolved.

Of the Lakers' 16 games in November, nine will come against Eastern Conference teams. Bryant's first game in Denver is scheduled for Jan. 7.

The schedule also includes a Dec. 25 tripleheader beginning with rookie LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at Orlando in an afternoon game. A night-time doubleheader includes the Mavericks facing the Sacramento Kings and the Lakers playing the Houston Rockets.

James, the most-hyped player to make the jump directly from high school to the pros, will open his season with three road games -- at Sacramento, Phoenix and Portland.

His first home game for the Cavs will come Nov. 5 against the Denver Nuggets and their heralded rookie, Carmelo Anthony.