New York Knicks: Full regular season schedule predictions
New York Knicks: November – An Eastern Conference struggle
Monday, November 1, 7:30 p.m. – vs Toronto
The Raptors have continued to slide back ever since Kawhi Leonard gifted them the 2019 NBA Championship. This year, the departure of Kyle Lowry and the addition of Goran Dragic have Toronto searching for a rebuild. I like New York to exploit the lack of scoring production and continue on a hot start.
Knicks record: 5-2
Wednesday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. – at Indiana
I see this as a trap game for New York. The Knicks are probably the better team, but that doesn’t always shine through in November games. It’ll be the third straight home game for the Pacers, and all with off days in between. Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert have also had time to gel this offseason.
Knicks record: 5-3
Friday, November 5, 7:30 p.m. – at Milwaukee
Although the New York Knicks took two of three against the Bucks last season (with one on the road), this ESPN televised game won’t slip past Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s not that it’s a long travel for New York, but more so that the Bucks have eyes on a coveted repeat, and games like this will keep the NBA fixated on the defending champs.
Knicks record: 5-4
Sunday, November 7, 6:00 p.m. – vs Cleveland
Long gone are the days when New York implodes after a few tough losses. A return to home against a dismal Cavaliers team will give the Knicks a chance to regain their focus and add another tally to the win column.
Knicks record: 6-4
Monday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. – at Philadelphia
I don’t really care how much the Ben Simmons saga might spiral the 76ers out of control. The simple fact is that Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris are still a very feared duo that the Knicks don’t exactly match up the greatest again. These two should play each other close all season, but I like Philly at home.
Knicks record: 6-5
Wednesday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. – vs Milwaukee
The games close to home will give New York a chance to reset. Also, the Bucks will have the Knicks a day after a TNT broadcasted game against Philadelphia at the tail end of a Northeast road trip. You could see Giannis rest in this game and you will see Tom Thibodeau fired up to get one back against Milwaukee.
Knicks record: 7-5
Friday, November 12, 7:00 p.m. – at Charlotte
Some results just don’t make sense and I can see this game being it. The Hornets are an interesting young team who are also very underrated at guard. They added Kelly Oubre Jr. in the offseason and a home game welcoming Kemba Walker back will have the Charlotte fans fired up to get a win.
Knicks record: 7-6
Monday, November 15, 7:30 p.m. – vs Indiana
Finally, two days of rest and a home game should give the New York Knicks a great chance for a confidence-boosting win over a Pacers team I had them losing to earlier on this month. It isn’t an easy November for the Knicks, but this game seems like a must-win early on to keep the orange and blue above .500.
Knicks record: 8-6
Wednesday, November 17, 7:30 p.m. – vs Orlando
Another home game against one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are in for a very rough year and will catch the Knicks at a time where they can get going on a mini-run.
Knicks record: 9-6
Saturday, November 20, 5:00 p.m. – vs Houston
This game will be a much-needed win once you see who New York has to close out its’ November. The Rockets might be worse than the Magic, with virtually no backbone to rely on. It will be fun to see Jalen Green’s debut at MSG, but the Knicks should ultimately shut down Houston as a whole.
Knicks record: 10-6
Sunday, November 21, 8:00 p.m. – at Chicago
It’ll be interesting if the Knicks either decide to rest players against Houston or Chicago, but either way, no days off and an away game against one of the most improved teams in the NBA isn’t exactly a cakewalk.
The Bulls will be coming off an insane stretch that I have to list for you or else you won’t believe it: vs New York, vs Utah, at Boston, at Philadelphia, vs Philadelphia, vs Brooklyn, vs Dallas, at Golden State, at L.A. Clippers, at L.A. Lakers, at Portland, at Denver, before finally returning home against the Knicks. Expect that Chicago crowd to be fired up to welcome them back, but come on NBA scheduling crew!
Knicks record: 10-7
Tuesday, November 23, 7:30 p.m. – vs Los Angeles Lakers
New York’s one-game road trip will return home just in time for a game against the Hall of Fame roster that is the L.A. Lakers. I can’t see anything Julius Randle will be capable of doing to keep his Knicks in the game against this Lakers team that will include a return home for Carmelo Anthony. It’ll be a movie to watch, but it likely won’t result in the upset New York fans will be hoping for.
Knicks record: 10-8
Friday, November 26, 7:00 p.m. – vs Phoenix
Three days later, Devin Booker and Chris Paul will visit the iconic Madison Square Garden. When stars of that caliber visit MSG, it can result in some career-defining games. I see that very thing happening for Booker, as the Knicks drop another game to a quality team. What a rough November!
Knicks record: 10-9
Saturday, November 27, 7:30 p.m. – at Atlanta
This is the point in the season where Knicks fans can’t get frustrated. They’ll have to remember where they’ve come from and what is in store for a franchise that is slowly turning things around. Trae Young and the Hawks probably circled this game the day the schedule came out.
Knicks record: 10-10
Tuesday, November 30, 7:30 p.m. – at Brooklyn
As much as the Knicks run New York and the possibility at least one of the Nets’ big three will be out due to an injury, I can’t realistically mark down a New York victory. Brooklyn will be coming off a two-day rest period of their own, so any chance of a rest game won’t be in play. The Nets won’t play again until December 3rd, so this really will be Brooklyn at full throttle.
Knicks record: 10-11