This week the NBA released the schedule for the upcoming 2013-14 season, and, as always, people are already breaking down the best (and worst) match-ups of the season. The New York Knicks have a league high amount of nationally televised games on ESPN/ABC this year, tied with the Miami Heat with 16. This is a full 180 from just a few years ago when the awful Knicks of the 2000’s were lucky if they got just one national game. Also worth noting is that the Knicks play a whopping 18 back-to-back games.
Let’s take a look at some of the most fun match-ups the Knicks are getting ready for this season:
The season opener will be against the Milwauke Bucks on October 3oth. Not the best team to open the season against, but it should allow for the Knicks to open the season 1-0, which is always a nice way to start a year.
The Knicks will play the NBA Champion Miami Heat four times this season, with the first at home on January 9th. They also will host them the night before the Super Bowl. The Knicks and Heat have some history and a list of great NBA classic games under their belt together. Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony love playing against each other, which always leads to a great show for the fans.
Last season, the Knicks played very well against the Champions, winning the season series 3-1. It’s too bad they didn’t get a chance to face each other in the playoffs, but there’s always this year.
Another series many fans, particularly in New York, are excited about is the games against the Brooklyn Nets. Not only are they division rivals, but the teams’ close quarters make them even more competitive. The fans dislike each other, the owners throw jabs, but there is only one true New York team, and the Knicks hope to prove that. The first game will be Dec. 5th in Brooklyn. The Nets’ additions of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett should prove to make it even more entertaining than usual.
The NBA always puts out an exciting day of basketball on Christmas, and they didn’t disappoint this year. The Knicks will welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 25th. The league’s top two leading scorers from last season will face off against each other. Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony will bring a shoot out for the ages that everyone won’t be able to take their eyes off of.
There are a few honorable mentions for the best games coming up this year. Andrea Bargnani will return to Toronto on Dec. 28th. This could be a big game for him, as he tries to regain his confidence and show his old team and fans who he really is. The Knicks host the rebuilding Boston Celtics on Dec. 8th, and it should be refreshing to see them dominate for the first time in years against their New England rival.
It’s also worth noting the schedule for April, which consists of two games versus Brooklyn, one against Miami, and one against the Bulls. Closing out the season against such tough competition could have playoff and seeding implications, but it’s too early to start worrying about that.
The schedule doesn’t make or break the season, but it’s the first glimpse we get at some basketball, and fans are already chomping at the bits. The Knicks championship window is closing, so they need to make this season count. Get ready, we’re only 82 days away.