Charlotte Bobcats Schedule 2013-14: Most Anticipated Games of the Regular Season

Tuesday night, the 2013-14 NBA schedule was officially released. Despite the season being a little less than three months away, it's never too early to take a look at the most exciting games on the Charlotte Bobcats' slate.

While the Bobcats won't quite be a playoff contender just yet, they'll look to make strides in building toward the postseason throughout a strong regular-season showing.

Ahead are the five most anticipated games of the regular season.

Check out NBA.com for the Bobcats' complete 2013-14 schedule.

10/30/13 at Houston Rockets

Why this game is important

Charlotte won't have any room to ease into the season when it matches up with Dwight Howard and the new-look Houston Rockets.

Cody Zeller and the Bobcats will be looking to prove they're not the same sub-.500 team from the past three seasons against one of the young teams to open the season. 

Key to the game

Can Charlotte shut down Dwight Howard and Omer Asik? With Cody Zeller and Al Jefferson presumably taking over the starting power forward and center positions, its defense should struggle mightily on the block. 

How this affects the season

While getting off to a hot start is a great motivational tool in the locker room, it's difficult to overlook the league's 82-game schedule. Charlotte's confidence, however, would be through the roof if it could come out and run through the superstar-laden Rockets.  

Prediction: 113-97, Rockets.

11/5/13 at New York Knicks

Why this game is important

Any time you play in Madison Square Garden, it's a special occasion. But that might not be the only reason this particular trip could be even more entertaining. 

According to the New York Daily News' Frank Isola, the Knicks could be interested in acquiring Tyrus Thomas, whom the Bobcats amnestied earlier this summer. 

Keys to the game

Charlotte was competitive in all three contests against the Knicks last season, but it had no answer for Raymond Felton. 

In two appearances, Carmelo Anthony scored 23 and 32 points, respectively. Kemba Walker matched Anthony with 25 in the first game, while Gerald Henderson scored 35 in the second contest. Felton notched 17 points in the first contest and 18 in the second, while the Bobcats had little secondary scoring.

They'll have to contain Felton this time around, be less dependent on a single scorer and play more like a complete team.

How this affects the season

As the first Eastern Conference playoff team from last season the Bobcats play, New York will give Charlotte an opportunity to distinguish itself as a developing team.

Prediction: 109-104, Knicks.

11/16/13 vs. Miami Heat

Why this game is important

An opportunity to knock off the defending NBA champions makes this a key game for the 2013-14 regular season. The Miami Heat took all four contests last season and are a division rival, making this a game the Charlotte coaching staff surely has circled on its calendar.

Keys to the game

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Gerald Henderson and Al Jefferson will face the challenge of stopping LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

In the first two games, the Miami Big Three torched the Bobcats, combining for 144 points. Over the next two contests, the Heat knocked down 43 percent and 39 percent of their three-pointers, respectively. 

How this affects the season

If the Bobcats can put up strong showings against the Rockets and Knicks, then surprise the Heat in Charlotte, they would have shown enough growth for the entire season in just the first month.

Prediction: 107-92, Heat.

12/30/13 at Utah Jazz

Why this game is important

Al Jefferson scored 26 points and grabbed eight boards with the Utah Jazz last season in his only appearance against the Bobcats.

This time he'll be on the other end of the court with something to prove against his former team.

Keys to the game

In Utah's last contest against Charlotte, Enes Kanter recorded a 23-point, 22-rebound game. Jefferson vs. Kanter will be the matchup of the game in the post, and the Bobcats will look for Kemba Walker to be the difference-maker on both sides of the ball.

How this affects the season

With the talent the Bobcats have surrounded Jefferson with in Charlotte, it would be difficult to argue against his decision to leave Utah. If the Jazz overshadow Jefferson's return to Utah with a win, though, it could add even more frustration to what could be a difficult season with a struggling franchise.

Prediction: 104-92, Bobcats.

4/16/13 vs. Chicago Bulls

Why this game is important

The Bobcats almost assuredly won't be included in the playoff hunt, but closing the season on a high note is vital as the summer approaches.

Keys to the game

A theme in 2013-14 will be if Charlotte can control opposing bigs on the defensive end of the court. Charlotte's Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller will match up with Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, one of the tougher frontcourts in the Eastern Conference.

Derrick Rose is also expected to return at the season opener, so it should be interesting to see how far Kemba Walker has progressed in relation to the former MVP.

How this affects the season

For a young team, closing the season on a high note is incredibly important. That confidence carries over into the summer and sometimes into the next season.

Prediction: 108-84, Bulls.