Jonah Ballow
KnicksNow.com
Twitter
Once again, the Knicks were aggressive in free agency and compiled a roster to challenge the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The NBA has announced the schedules and while every single contest counts in the pursuit of a title, there are several games that will garner attention from Knicks fans around the country. Here are some of the most anticipated games for the Knicks in 2012-13:
Thursday, November 1 at Brooklyn Nets
High intrigue will surround the inaugural matchup between the relocated Nets and Gotham’s historic franchise. Brooklyn raised the stakes by re-signing All-Star Deron Williams and trading for Joe Johnson to solidify one of the best backcourts in the NBA. The team also brought back Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, and Brook Lopez with the hope of returning to the postseason. The Knicks will enter hostile territory while facing the Nets in the opener at the Barclays Center but expect a large contingency of fans sporting the Blue and Orange. New York fans will be treated to a first glance at the new-look Knicks as well. Jason Kidd, Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni Ronnie Brewer, Marcus Camby, and Kurt Thomas are expected to make their 2012-13 debuts in Knicks uniforms.
Friday, November 2 vs. Miami Heat
The Knicks and Heat will waste little time refueling the rivalry in the home opener at the World’s Most Famous Arena. There is no doubt; the Knicks are waiting with baited breath at the chance to face the defending champs and the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season. It’s quite possible the Heat improved their roster by adding former Celtics sharpshooter Ray Allen and versatile forward Rashard Lewis. For the Knicks, Camby and Thomas are well-aware of the rivalry and Kidd was on the Mavericks title team that sent Miami packing in the 2011 NBA Finals. Yes, it’s only the second contest of an 82-game regular season but there is no reason to believe this encounter will not have a playoff vibe.
Wednesday, November 21 at Dallas Mavericks
Last year, Tyson Chandler accepted his 2010-11 championship ring in the only trip for the Knicks to Dallas. This season, another former Maverick will return to Big D as Kidd will look to upend the Mavericks in his uniform. Most pundits believe Dallas has taken a couple of steps back following the unexpected title run. The Mavericks lost Kidd and Terry while signing Elton Brandon, Chris Kaman, and O.J. Mayo. Regardless of the shuffled roster, Kidd and Chandler will be highly motivated to silence the home crowd in Dallas.
Friday, November 23 at Houston Rockets
Houston completely revamped its roster after missing the postseason last year. Obviously, all eyes will be focused on former Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin when he squares off against New York for the first time since signing with the Rockets this summer. Lin and Bulls center Omer Asik were the big acquisitions for Houston to go along with rookies Jeremy Lamb, Terrence Jones, and Royce White. This matchup also features former Knicks, Toney Douglas and Josh Harrellson.
Monday, December 17 vs. Houston Rockets
Lin generated massive amounts of media and fan attention last season in New York. On December 17, the 24-year old will step on the Garden floor once again…this time as the enemy. How will the Knicks fan base welcome him back?
Tuesday, December 25 at Los Angeles Lakers
A showdown in tinseltown will hit the NBA’s center stage on Christmas Day. Widely regarded as the league’s spot to feature marquee matchups, the Knicks and Lakers will conclude the season series in Los Angeles. Over the summer, the Lakers made quite a splash, welcoming former rival Steve Nash to the Purple and Gold and an underrated acquisition of Antawn Jamison. The two teams split the series last year, which included a memorable game at the Garden on February 10. Kobe Bryant always finds extra juice for the Knicks and fans will be treated to a Nash-Kidd mano y’mano Hall of Fame point guard duel.
Thursday, January 24 at Boston Celtics
The two teams split the four-game series this past season with New York capturing two crowd pleasing victories at MSG in December and April. The games were only decided by an average of four points. One of the big four for Boston departed as Allen jumped ship to Miami over the offseason. Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Kevin Garnett are back for another run at the title while the team snatched Jason Terry in free agency. Courtney Lee was obtained in via trade and the Celtics drafted Kris Joseph and Fab Melo out of Syracuse to join forces with Jared Sullinger.
Thursday, March 7 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last year, the Knicks lone matchup against the Thunder took place in Oklahoma City. This season, fans at the Garden will have the opportunity to watch the Knicks battle the defending Western Conference Champions on March 7. In search of a return to the Finals, Oklahoma City grabbed Perry Jones III in the 2012 NBA Draft after the highly touted prospect surprisingly fell down to pick No. 28 overall. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden against the Knicks in NYC will certainly create great theatre.
Wednesday, March 13 at Denver Nuggets
When the Knicks traded for Carmelo Anthony on February 22 2011, fans in the Mile High City hoped to see their former star the following season. However, due to the lockout, the Nuggets-Knicks contest in Denver was put on hold. On March 13 of 2013, Anthony returns to the city where he began his All-Star career in2003. The Nuggets feature several former Knicks, including Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington, and Timofey Mozgov. This summer Denver added another former Knick, Anthony Randolph to fill the void of Chris Andersen, who was amnestied in the offseason.
Thursday, April 11 at Chicago Bulls
Over the last couple of years, the Bulls have held title aspirations behind the spectacular play of Derrick Rose. The franchise took a major setback when Rose suffered an ACL tear in the first round of the playoff series against the 76ers. According to ESPNChicago.com, doctors are targeting eight to 12 months until the 2010-11 MVP can return to the hardwood. Chicago brought back Kirk Hinrich and added Marco Belinelli as its notable offseason moves. For the Knicks, Brewer will face his former team in a matchup that could determine playoff positioning.
Wednesday, April 17 vs. Atlanta Hawks
Last year, the Knicks wrapped up the regular season in a meaningless game in Charlotte. This season, New York could face a team fighting for a spot in the postseason at Madison Square Garden. Woodson will square off against the team he coached for five seasons as they enter the post-Johnson era. The Hawks were a playoff squad in 2012 but the recent changes might alter Atlanta’s offensive firepower and ability to compete with the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks will search for momentum heading into a potential playoff run and the outcome of this game could have major implications on the line.
| Upcoming Games | |||||
| November | Opponent | Time | Local TV | Nat TV | Radio |
| Thu 01 | @ Brooklyn | 7:00pm |
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| Fri 02 | vs Miami | 8:00pm |
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| Sun 04 | vs Philadelphia | 12:00pm | |||
| Mon 05 | @ Philadelphia | 7:00pm | |||
| Fri 09 | vs Dallas | 7:30pm | |||
| Tue 13 | @ Orlando | 7:00pm | |||
| Thu 15 | @ San Antonio | 8:30pm | |||
| Fri 16 | @ Memphis | 9:30pm |
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| Sun 18 | vs Indiana | 12:00pm | |||
| Tue 20 | @ New Orleans | 8:00pm | |||
| Wed 21 | @ Dallas | 8:30pm | |||
| Fri 23 | @ Houston | 8:00pm | |||
| Sun 25 | vs Detroit | 1:00pm | |||
| Wed 28 | @ Milwaukee | 8:00pm | |||
| Fri 30 | vs Washington | 7:30pm |
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| December | Opponent | Time | Local TV | Nat TV | Radio |
| Sun 02 | vs Phoenix | 12:00pm | |||
| Wed 05 | @ Charlotte | 7:00pm | |||
| Thu 06 | @ Miami | 8:00pm |
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| Sat 08 | @ Chicago | 8:00pm | |||
| Sun 09 | vs Denver | 7:30pm |
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| Tue 11 | @ Brooklyn | 7:00pm |
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| Thu 13 | vs LA Lakers | 8:00pm |
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| Sat 15 | vs Cleveland | 7:30pm | |||
| Mon 17 | vs Houston | 7:30pm |
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| Wed 19 | vs Brooklyn | 7:00pm |
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| Fri 21 | vs Chicago | 7:30pm |
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| Sun 23 | vs Minnesota | 5:00pm | |||
| Tue 25 | @ LA Lakers | 3:00pm |
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| Wed 26 | @ Phoenix | 9:00pm |
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| Fri 28 | @ Sacramento | 10:00pm | |||
| January | Opponent | Time | Local TV | Nat TV | Radio |
| Tue 01 | vs Portland | 7:30pm | |||
| Thu 03 | vs San Antonio | 7:30pm | |||
| Sat 05 | @ Orlando | 7:00pm | |||
| Mon 07 | vs Boston | 7:30pm | |||
| Thu 10 | @ Indiana | 8:00pm |
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| Fri 11 | vs Chicago | 8:00pm |
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| Sun 13 | vs New Orleans | 12:00pm | |||
| Thu 17 |
@ Detroit TBD |
TBD | |||
| Mon 21 | vs Brooklyn | 3:30pm |
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| Thu 24 | @ Boston | 8:00pm |
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| Sat 26 | @ Philadelphia | 7:00pm | |||
| Sun 27 | vs Atlanta | 6:30pm |
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| Wed 30 | vs Orlando | 7:30pm | |||
| February | Opponent | Time | Local TV | Nat TV | Radio |
| Fri 01 | vs Milwaukee | 7:30pm | |||
| Sat 02 | vs Sacramento | 7:30pm | |||
| Mon 04 | vs Detroit | 7:30pm | |||
| Wed 06 | @ Washington | 7:00pm | |||
| Fri 08 | @ Minnesota | 8:00pm | |||
| Sun 10 | vs LA Clippers | 1:00pm |
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| Wed 13 | vs Toronto | 7:30pm | |||
| Wed 20 | @ Indiana | 7:00pm | |||
| Fri 22 | @ Toronto | 7:00pm | |||
| Sun 24 | vs Philadelphia | 7:00pm |
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| Wed 27 | vs Golden State | 7:30pm | |||
| March | Opponent | Time | Local TV | Nat TV | Radio |
| Fri 01 | @ Washington | 7:00pm | |||
| Sun 03 | vs Miami | 1:00pm |
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| Mon 04 | @ Cleveland | 7:00pm | |||
| Wed 06 | @ Detroit | 7:30pm | |||
| Thu 07 | vs Oklahoma City | 8:00pm |
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| Sat 09 | vs Utah | 7:30pm |
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| Mon 11 | @ Golden State | 10:30pm | |||
| Wed 13 | @ Denver | 10:30pm |
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| Thu 14 | @ Portland | 10:30pm |
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| Sun 17 | @ LA Clippers | 3:30pm |
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| Mon 18 | @ Utah | 10:30pm |
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| Wed 20 | vs Orlando | 7:30pm | |||
| Fri 22 | @ Toronto | 7:00pm | |||
| Sat 23 | vs Toronto | 7:30pm | |||
| Tue 26 | @ Boston | 7:00pm |
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| Wed 27 | vs Memphis | 7:30pm | |||
| Fri 29 | vs Charlotte | 7:30pm | |||
| Sun 31 | vs Boston | 7:30pm | |||
| April | Opponent | Time | Local TV | Nat TV | Radio |
| Tue 02 | @ Miami | 8:00pm |
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| Wed 03 | @ Atlanta | 7:00pm |
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| Fri 05 | vs Milwaukee | 7:30pm | |||
| Sun 07 | @ Oklahoma City | 1:00pm |
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| Tue 09 | vs Washington | 7:30pm | |||
| Thu 11 | @ Chicago | 8:00pm |
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| Fri 12 | @ Cleveland | 7:30pm | |||
| Sun 14 | vs Indiana | 3:30pm | |||
| Mon 15 | @ Charlotte | 7:00pm | |||
| Wed 17 | vs Atlanta | 8:00pm | |||
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