The NBA released the schedule for the lockout-shortened season tonight. Charlotte opens up play in the regular season the day after Christmas against Milwaukee. The Heat and Magic round out the three-game home stand the first week of the season. The Bobcats will be on NBATV three times and close out the regular season hosting the Knicks on TNT. Ben: The Bobcats face a particularly difficult stretch of games between Jan 3 and Jan 17, not so much in consistent quality of their opponents, but due to exhaustion. In those 15 days, the Bobcats play only back-to-backs and have one back-to-back-to-back, for a total of 11 games. Six of those games are against 2011 playoff teams: Knicks (twice), Hawks (twice), Pacers and Magic. Six games are away, including four away games against the aforementioned playoff teams. I worry Tyrus Thomas and DeSagana Diop may turn to dust.