A pair of nationally televised games are featured on a Friday night, with the New York Knicks' season opener a day later than expected against the defending champion Miami Heat and the newly competitive Los Angeles rivalry matchup with the Lakers taking on the Clippers.
NBA schedule 2012: Knicks open season vs. Heat, Lakers, Clippers face off
Friday night’s NBA schedule is highlighted by the New York Knicks’ first game of the year against the Miami Heat and a Los Angeles matchup between the Lakers and the Clippers.
Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE
The Knicks were supposed to play Thursday in the league's other crosstown rivalry, the first game for the new Brooklyn Nets, but that was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. However, the team is good to go and a game will be played Friday night at Madison Square Garden. New York will be without Amar'e Stoudemire for the next 6-to-8 weeks, but they will have Tyson Chandler and Marcus Camby available as they take on a team that routed them in five games in the first round of last year's playoffs. The Heat looked explosive as ever in their season opener Tuesday night, putting up 120 points on a Boston Celtics team that has prided itself on defense in recent years.
Later, the Los Angeles Lakers look to snap out of a rut that has them 0-2 on the year despite the offseason acquisition of Dwight Howard. Mike Brown's attempt at installing the Princeton Offense has been met with displeasure as the team has yet to win a preseason or regular season game, but cooler heads point to the talent on the team and difficulty of installing the new set. The Clippers, on the other hand, beat a probable playoff team in Memphis in their first game and looked great with Jamal Crawford in the lineup, as the former sixth man of the year put up 29 points off the bench. Chris Paul likely won't be facing off against Steve Nash, as the Lakers' new point guard is doubtful with a leg injury.
Here’s a full look at Friday night’s schedule:
Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Bobcats, 7 p.m.
Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m.
Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.
Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Hornets, 8 p.m.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, 8 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m.
Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors, 10:30 p.m.
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