Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook and the new look Washington Wizards now know their road back to contention in the Eastern Conference.

On Friday the NBA announced the schedule for the “first half” of the 2020-21 season, set to begin in just a few short weeks.

The Wizards will open action on Wednesday, December 23 in Philadelphia against the 76ers. They follow that with a four-game homestead, hosting the Orlando Magic twice and Chicago Bulls twice, a quartet of games taking them through into the New Year. Early January features a trip to Minnesota, Brooklyn, Philly and Boston.

January’s slate is highlighted by a trip to Houston to take on John Wall and the Wizards on Tuesday, January 26. Wall and the Rockets head to D.C. on Monday, February 15. A week later, Brad and the boys will be in Los Angeles to take on the defending NBA Champion Lakers on February 22. The Wiz close out the “first half” on March 4 at home against the LA Clippers. All told, Washington will play 37 times in a 71-day span, including seven back-to-backs.