Thunder game road trips for 2012

Trying to catch a Thunder road game is a convenient excuse to visit some of the coolest cities in America — and Canada, during seasons unlike this one when Oklahoma City visits the Raptors.

So here’s a guide of some of the games in the compressed NBA schedule in 2012 that could make for some cool road trips. The general guideline here is that the game should be one where a Monday-to-Friday working stiff or student could see the game by only skipping out on one or two weekdays. All airfare estimates and driving distances are based on Oklahoma City, and hotel price estimates are based on ballpark final cost estimates of well-located, three-star national chain properties for two double or queen beds.

Boston: Monday, Jan.  16

: 2

: $440

: $140/night

: $77 and up

: It’s going to be cold in Boston in January. But it’s also cold in Oklahoma City in January, so who cares? Being able to catch the Thunder in a big-game atmosphere in Boston would be a treat. Staying anywhere near the center of Boston means you’re close to a “T” station, where you can catch an inexpensive trolley or subway car to almost anywhere worth going to on a long weekend trip. You can check out Old Ironsides, an 18th century gunship, or the Sam Adams brewery or go to one of about a million Irish bars.

New Jersey: Saturday, Jan. 21

: 1 or 2

: $380

:$160/night

:$35 and up

: Well the Thunder don’t visit Madison Square Garden this season, so you actually have to go see Oklahoma City’s last game in New Jersey in order to take in a Thunder game in the New York City area. And the travel isn’t quite as cumbersome and expensive as you might think because of Continental’s nonstop service to Newark, which has fairly easy access to the city. There’s public transportation options galore. If you need ideas about what to visit in New York City, then you’re beyond my help already.

Golden State: Friday, Jan. 27

: 2

: $320

: $160/night

: $29 and up

: This could be the beginning of a (probably relatively pricey) California swing if you’re up for it and have an extra vacation day or two to burn, because the Thunder plays at Golden State on a Friday and then at the Clippers the following Monday. San Francisco in January doesn’t have to have crummy weather, and it can end up being pretty pleasant. But there’s nothing wrong with catching the Thunder in Oakland and a visit to Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and Ghirardelli Square.

Los Angeles Clippers: Monday, Jan. 30/ Monday, April 16

: 2

: $320/$380

: $110/$110

: $27 and up (singles only), or third-party/$85 and up (singles only) or third-party

: Finally, a warm-weather game during the winter, and the most exciting NBA team in Los Angeles hosting the Thunder to boot. Plus another trip in April. There’s obviously plenty to do in the L.A. area if you catch the game, but you may need the entire weekend to mentally prepare for what could be an exhaustively exciting Thunder-Clippers shootout.

San Antonio: Saturday, Feb. 4

: 1 or 2

: $251/468 miles (7 1/2 hours)

: $130/night

: $11 and up

: It takes until February until a road trip-worthy game within driving distance falls on a weekend. Dallas earlier in the season doesn’t count. Catching a Spurs home game during the twilight days of the Tim Duncan era is good enough motivation for any dedicated NBA fan, and a weekend game in the warm weather between two Western Conference contenders makes it better. Time in San Antonio away from the game is best spent eating Mexican food and drinking margaritas in the River Walk area.

Utah: Friday, Feb. 10

: 2

: $400

: $100/night

: $8 and up

: This trip is here solely because of skiing. Salt Lake City is relatively close to a few great ski areas. Cool to be able to catch a Thunder game and hit the slopes in the same weekend.

Los Angeles Lakers: Sunday, April 22

: 2

: $400

: $110

: $80 and up

: Right now, it’s easier to get tickets to the Thunder-Lakers game near the end of the season than it is to either Thunder-Clippers game in the Staples Center. I guess the Lakers really are L.A.’s B-team now.