Matchups To Watch

Jonah Ballow

The Warriors reached the top of the NBA mountain last season by navigating through the dangerous waters in the Western Conference and toppling King James’ Cavaliers in the Finals.  Golden State barreled over the competition in the regular season, registering 67 wins in blistering, 3-point launching fashion.  The core of this title team was never in jeopardy of separating despite Draymond Green reaching restricted free agency status this summer.  As expected, the Warriors re-signed the versatile Green to ensure roster continuity heading into their title defense season.

There are some moves to note from the Golden State camp.  Former Knick David Lee was shipped to Boston in a trade for Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb.  The Warriors followed up that deal four days later by sending Wallace and cash considerations to the Sixers for forward Jason Thompson.

The first time the Knicks square off against the defending champs is January 31 at the Mecca.  For fans, this matchup presents a chance to watch Golden State’s high-powered offense in person along with the Splash Bros in action.  Last year, the Warriors cruised to two victories over the Knicks but the new-look New York crew is better equipped defensively to handle the offensive onslaught expected.  The reigning MVP scored a remarkable 54 points at the Garden in 2013 and has registered at least 22 points in each outing in New York since that game.  Curry is must-watch and he seems to rise to the occasion while suiting up at the Mecca.

The good news for the Knicks is the squad will have a day to prepare for the Warriors after a home contest at MSG on January 29.  On the flip side, Golden State will play New York on a back-to-back and in the midst of a three-game east coast road trip.  Regardless, mark your calendars for January 31 for Sunday night’s lone appearance by the 2015 champs at MSG.

Matchups To Watch:Knicks at Bucks, October 28Knicks vs. Hawks, October 29Knicks vs. Spurs, November 2Knicks vs. Lakers, November 8Knicks vs. Cavaliers, November 13Knicks vs. Nets, December 4Knicks @ Bulls, January 1Knicks vs. Sixers, January 18Knicks vs. Clippers, January 22VIDEO: Top 10 Matchups To Watch

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Matchup to Watch: Knicks vs Warriors, January 31

Charlie Widdoes

The Clippers have been one of the league’s premier attractions ever since uniting Chris Paul with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in Lob City four seasons ago. But after vanquishing the Spurs in an epic first-round playoff series, re-signing Jordan this summer and adding much-needed depth to its bench, there's reason to believe this year's team could be ready to contend in 2015-16.

A big reason for the optimism is improved depth; the Clips finished with the league's most efficient offense last year, but most of that was due to Paul's usual mastery, Griffin's emergence as a playmaker, and Jordan's league-leading field goal percentage (71%). Their bench just didn’t compare to the Western Conference’s other elite teams.

Now, with Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson and Wesley Johnson adding depth on the wing, and Josh Smith and former Knicks Pablo Prigioni and Cole Aldrich also in the fold, L.A. hopes to be competing with Golden State, San Antonio and the rest of the Western powers come June.

Doc Rivers' squad makes this year's trip to MSG on a Friday night, and the Mecca will be buzzing -- the Knicks will take off for Charlotte directly after the game to take on the Hornets the next night, but Derek Fisher's group will be focused on the task at hand: Executing in the Triangle and trying to contain L.A.'s potent offense in front of the home crowd.

Matchups To Watch:Knicks at Bucks, October 28Knicks vs. Hawks, October 29Knicks vs. Spurs, November 2Knicks vs. Lakers, November 8Knicks vs. Cavaliers, November 13VIDEO: Top 10 Matchups To Watch

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Matchup to Watch: Knicks vs Clippers, January 22

Knicks vs. Bulls instantly conjures up memories of 90s basketball featuring Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Anthony Mason, John Starks, Patrick Ewing, Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, and plenty of characters that elevated the rivalry to an unforgettable place in NBA history.

In 2015, the franchises are drastically different but both teams are seeking the glory days once again in a chase for the title. 

Chicago is moving into a new era after Tom Thibodeau was fired in late May and former Bull Fred Hoiberg was hired in June.  Under Thibodeau, Chicago was considered an elite defensive group with a propensity to overachieve despite severe injury issues to star players.  Thibodeau’s Bulls won 68 percent of their regular season games, reached the playoffs in each of his five seasons, and registered at least 50 wins three times in those five years. 

There’s some belief that Hoiberg can ramp up Chicago’s offense even though they ranked in the top 10 last year in offensive rating.  Hoiberg’s Iowa State teams enjoyed success in the Big 12 by spreading the floor with 3-point shooters and speeding up the tempo to place serious pressure on the opposition.  Derrick Rose (if healthy), Jimmy Butler, and even Joakim Noah could thrive in an offense that finds advantageous opportunities in transition or early in the shot clock.  We’ll have to see how Nikola Mirotic develops in his second season and if Pau Gasol can avoid father time to put together another strong statistical year. 

Aside from re-signing Butler, which was a necessary move considering his 3-and-D abilities; the Bulls remained fairly quiet in free agency this summer.  Chicago will welcome back speedster Aaron Brooks and Mike Dunleavy and introduce rookie Bobby Portis, who was selected 22nd overall in the 2015 Draft.

The specific matchup against the Knicks is an intriguing contest to usher in the New Year on Friday night in the Windy City. There are storylines of note that are accompanying this game.  Jackson’s team facing his former team where he captured six titles, the rookie Kristaps Porzingis, often compared to Gasol, going head-to-head, and Carmelo Anthony appearing in Chi-Town after turning down the Bulls in free agency two summers ago.  New York will have already hosted the Bulls on December 19 but this 8 PM tilt should provide the road squad a litmus test against one of the expected top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Matchups To Watch:Knicks at Bucks, October 28Knicks vs. Hawks, October 29Knicks vs. Spurs, November 2Knicks vs. Lakers, November 8Knicks vs. Cavaliers, November 13Knicks vs. Sixers, January 18VIDEO: Top 10 Matchups To Watch

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Matchup to Watch: Knicks @ Bulls, January 1

Their last meeting was appointment viewing for NBA junkies. It was mid July in UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center, and the Knicks and 76ers delivered a Summer League thiller that lived up to the hype of a matchup between the third and fourth overall picks in the 2015 Draft.

Kristaps Porzingis and Jahlil Okafor went head to head, as Philly built up a big lead, only to watch the Knicks storm back to win in overtime. It was a fascinating contrast in styles, Okafor with his advanced post moves and Porzingis displaying his special offensive versatility. Most importantly, it was the Knicks' rookie's defensive adjustments that led to three key second-half blocks of Okafor to help lift New York to the comeback victory.

When they meet up again for a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee on January 18th, the prized rookies will have to share the spotlight in a divisional contest at the Garden; New York has reloaded with veterans to surround Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon and Co. with two-way role players, while the Sixers, last-year's second-youngest team, feature a handful of young players (including Nerlens Noel, Nik Stauskus and Robert Covington) looking to turn potential into production.

But despite the experience gap, this figures to be an entertaining test for the orange and blue. Philadelphia coach Brett Brown has a reputation for getting his teams to give maximum effort, as evidenced by his club's defensive improvement in 2014-15, when it finished with the NBA's 13th-best defensive rating. It should be interesting to see how Okafor impacts the team in that area, with his polished back-to-the-basket game and passing skills balanced out by pedestrian athleticism by NBA standards. Sixers fans hope Noel can compliment the former Duke Blue Devil with his outstanding length and bounce.

The Knicks will be looking to flex their muscles against a divisional foe as they strive to return to the playoffs, but don’t be surprised to see Brown’s squad battle to the very end. 

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Matchup to Watch: Knicks vs 76ers, January 18

As if there wasn’t enough interest in the crosstown matchup against the Nets, fuel has been added to the fire for the 2015-16 Knicks-Nets annual series.  Brooklyn re-signed Brook Lopez after he opted out of the final year of his contract in late June.  In search of its own defensive presence at the center position, New York inked free agent and twin brother Robin Lopez to a long-term deal.  This specific matchup will mark a territorial battle between the two bros for not only the coveted painted area on the floor but the bragging rights inside New York.  Both 7-footers have already exchanged spirited, albeit tongue-in-cheek trash talk throughout the summer.

Moving out of the box and to the perimeter area where the Nets are undergoing a major change at the point guard position.  Deron Williams was waived on July 11 as Brooklyn raised the white flag to signify the Williams-Lopez-Joe Johnson experiment did not necessarily pay the dividends expected when the franchise acquired the three players.

The new-look Nets now feature first round draft pick Rondae Hollis-Jefferson after they shipped out Mason Plumlee to Portland in a draft night deal.  Brooklyn signed Thomas Robinson to create some depth in the frontcourt and ease the absence of the athletic big man Plumlee.

Knicks fans will see familiar faces across the floor when the two teams tangle four times this season.  Point guard Shane Larkin and center Andrea Bargnani will now sport the black and white in the Brooklyn borough. 

New York will hope to reverse the sweep from last year after the Nets handed them four defeats while slipping into the postseason at the No. 8 spot.  Two former Knicks across the floor and across the town, a twin rivalry brewing, and two squads fighting for the attention of New York should generate some appealing contests between the Nets and Knicks this season.   

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Matchup to Watch: Knicks vs. Nets, December 4

Cleveland was unable to knock off the high-powered Warriors in June despite LeBron James’ masterful trek through the postseason where he carried the injury-riddled Cavaliers to the Finals. Without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, LBJ and company were left wondering if their full squad could have delivered a title to a long-suffering fan base in 2015.

While the Cavaliers did not land a big fish in free agency, they retained the core that was built to contend.  Obviously, James is back along with Love, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, and Matthew Dellavedova as part of the summer signings.  One would expect Tristan Thompson to re-sign as well but both parties are negotiating a long-term contract before the big man hits his deadline to accept a qualifying offer from Cleveland on October 1.  The Cavaliers acquired former Cavalier Mo Williams and veteran Richard Jefferson to add depth for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

On November 13, the Knicks entertain the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden for the second matchup of the season.  Last year, New York spoiled James’ homecoming season opener in Cleveland and the Knicks will look to duplicate that performance with a completely new roster.  We’ll see a healthy Carmelo Anthony go head-to-head against his buddy James under the bright lights where the two All-Stars relish the opportunity to shine in front of the NYC crowd. 

Adding to the intrigue for this Friday night tilt is the return of Smith and Shumpert to the Mecca.  Smith earned a 6th Man of the Year award in New York and Shumpert began his NBA career with the Knicks as the 17th overall pick for the Knicks in 2011.  The New York fans will look to make Smith and Shumpert's appearance at MSG an uncomfortable one and hand the defending Eastern Conference champs a defeat in this highly anticipated matchup.Matchups To Watch:Knicks at Bucks, October 28Knicks vs. Hawks, October 29Knicks vs. Spurs, November 2Knicks vs. Lakers, November 8VIDEO: Top 10 Matchups To Watch

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Matchup to Watch: Knicks vs. Cavaliers, November 13

Two iconic franchises on the rebound. Two superstars looking to bounce back from injury-shortened seasons and lead their teams back to the playoffs. Four first-round picks from the last two Drafts, and two more representatives from last year’s All-Rookie teams.

New York and Los Angeles are separated by 3,000 miles, but enter this season connected by decades of history, shared personnel and, thanks to an influx of promising young talent and solid veteran reinforcements, bright hopes for the future.  

When they square off for a Sunday matinee in early November, both past and future will be on display; we could be witnessing Kobe Bryant’s final appearance at the Garden, and 2nd overall pick D’Angelo Russell’s first. We’ll get our first chance to watch decorated big men prospects Julius Randle (the bruiser from Kentucky selected 7th in 2014) and Kristaps Porzingis go head-to-head in a fascinating contrast of styles. And two of last season’s best stories, Jordan Clarkson (46th pick in 2014) and Langston Galloway (undrafted), will be looking to build on breakout rookie seasons.

In their seventh game of the season, the Knicks will get their first respite from a slate that begins with six contests against 2014-15 playoff teams, although L.A. expects drastic improvement after notching just 21 wins last year. Like the Knicks, who added Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and other vets, the Lakers improved their roster balance by acquiring Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams.

It’s another crack at their former organization for Phil Jackson, Derek Fisher and Co., only this time with a roster suited to play in their style and an infusion of leadership and talent. Come for the history, stay for a glimpse of the future. We should be in for a hard-fought matchup at the Mecca.

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Matchup to Watch: Knicks vs Lakers, November 8

After opening the season on the road for the first time in five years, the Knicks will return to the Mecca for an intriguing matchup against the Eastern Conference regular season champs.  On Thursday, October 29 at 8 PM, the 60-win Atlanta Hawks enter the Garden with a tweaked roster as they chase an elusive spot in the 2016 NBA Finals.

The storyline for this specific contest will surround New York’s former guard Tim Hardaway Jr.  The Knicks shipped THJ to Hotlanta in exchange for the No. 19 overall pick, which they eventually used to select Jerian Grant.  Hardaway Jr., New York’s 2013 first round draft pick will attempt to replace the void filled by DeMarre Carroll’s departure.  Atlanta managed to retain Paul Millsap and acquired former Spurs center Tiago Splitter to bolster its frontline behind 3-time All-Star Al Horford. 

New York fans will welcome a new-look squad for this home opener as most of the roster was revamped in a summer of change for the orange and blue.  Eight new players will hit the hardwood on October 29, including the No. 4 overall pick Kristaps Porzingis.  Veteran free agent acquisitions Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Kyle O’Quinn, Derrick Williams, and Kevin Seraphin will have their first opportunity to entertain the home crowd for a regular season game.  Oh, and, let’s not forget about the return of Carmelo Anthony after the All-Star missed 42 games due to injury a season ago.

This road-home back-to-back offers a stiff test for New York against two 2015 playoff teams.  This matchup for the Knicks is a challenge considering the Hawks return most of the roster from the 60-win team that surprised NBA enthusiasts with a banner 2014-15 season.  The Hawks share similar traits as the Spurs with an efficient offensive attack and the second-best mark from beyond the arc.

The home debut for Knicks rookies and offseason acquisitions, the return of Melo, Hardaway Jr.’s first appearance back in NYC, and the regular season Eastern Conference champs invading hostile territory should create tremendous buzz for the opener at the Garden on October 29.