Knicks and Nets Reportedly Will Open 2012-13 NBA Season in Brooklyn

The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets will open up their 2012-13 NBA season campaign at the brand-spanking new Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn this fall, according to a report by Newsday.

This via Newsday's official Twitter account on Wednesday:

"

Source: Nets open season in Brooklyn against Knicks newsday.com/sports/basketb… via @Al_Iannazzone

— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) July 25, 2012"

The two cross-town rivals will square off for all to see. Fans will know shortly into the new NBA season just how much improved the Nets really are after re-signing Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace, and trading for star shooting guard Joe Johnson.

According to the Newsday report, the matchup will be held on Nov. 1 and will be covered nationally by TNT.

That being said, the Nets' season opener could turn out to be either an excellent moment of exposure to NBA fans who don't yet have a team to root for, or an embarrassing display of their new arena, which could very well house more Knicks fans than Brooklyn supporters given the early stages of the franchise's move. 

Both teams play in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, but will be competing with the likes of powerhouses Miami, Chicago and Boston next season in hopes of earning one of the conference's Top 8 playoff seeds. Although it's not impossible, it's unlikely that either team earns home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs next spring.

The Nets went just 9-24 at home last season in New Jersey, but will look to open up their new arena with a win, hopefully building a strong reputation at the Barclays Center and making it a feared place to play.

Only time will tell.

With no Dwight Howard in the lineup, the Nets will have their work cut out for them on opening night in Brooklyn against a team that made the playoffs last season.

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