Brooklyn Nets Schedule 2013-14: Most Anticipated Games of the Regular Season

The NBA released its 2013-14 schedule on Tuesday, giving NBA junkies something to chew on before the Miami Heat play host to the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 29.

For NBA fans, the release of the regular season schedule is a lot like Christmas day, but in August.

Tuesday couldn’t have come soon enough for Brooklyn Nets' supporters, who were anxious to see what the new-look squad would be up against in 2013-14.

The Nets have a realistic shot of making it to the NBA Finals this coming season, so they’ll have a lot of marquee showdowns. The team will play a total of 26 games on national television, which will include eight appearances on TNT, nine on ESPN and nine on NBATV.

Some of the more highly anticipated matchups include meetings with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and defending champion Miami Heat.

Nets vs. Miami Heat, Nov. 1

The Nets will face LeBron James and the defending champion Miami Heat in their 2013-14 home opener.

Miami is once again the obvious favorite to emerge from the Eastern Conference. They’ve won the last two NBA Finals and have the best player in the world in James. How the Nets perform against Miami will give everyone around the NBA a good sense of just how much the team has improved since last season.

The Nov. 1 matchup at the Barclays Center could very well be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The key to victory for the Nets will be finding a way to slow down James. Brooklyn lost a great defender in Gerald Wallace, and will be hoping newly acquired Andrei Kirilenko can fill his shoes. Brooklyn will have to use a combination or Kirilenko and Paul Pierce to try to contain the reigning MVP.

Look for LeBron to prove he and the Heat are still the team to beat in the East.

Prediction: Heat 99, Nets 90

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Nets vs. New York Knicks, Dec. 5

The Nets and Knicks will do battle at the Barclays Center on Dec. 5 in the first installment of the newly revamped East River Rivalry.

All four of the tilts between the Nets and Knicks will be must-watch games next season, but the first will have the most intrigue.

Nobody knows what to expect when Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony renew their feud. Both teams made improvements this offseason, with the Knicks trading for Andrea Bargnani and bringing in Metta World Peace.

The key to victory for the Nets will be getting out on the Knicks' three-point shooters. The Knicks live and die by the three, so denying J.R. Smith, Melo and Bargnani clean looks will be paramount.

There will be a lot riding on every game between the Nets and Knicks. The two Eastern Conference giants will be battling for control of the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Winning the first matchup would be a big confidence booster for either team and set the tone for the next three meetings.

The Nets will be out to prove they’re the best team in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks made a few minor improvements in the offseason, but the Nets have a more talented and deep roster from top to bottom. Expect the Nets to win big at the Barclays Center in this one.

Prediction: Nets 110, Knicks 93

Nets vs. Chicago Bulls, Dec. 25

The Nets will play on Christmas for a second straight season. This time around they’ll be hosting the Chicago Bulls, who knocked them out in the first round of the 2012-13 playoffs.

The Nets will be looking for revenge on Christmas, against a Bulls squad that will look a little different with a healthy Derrick Rose.

The keys to victory for Brooklyn will be shutting down Rose, which is easier said than done. They’ll also have to keep Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer off the offensive glass. Noah and Boozer manhandled Brook Lopez and Reggie Evans in last year’s playoff series.

There’s a lot riding on this game, as both teams are considered top contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Nets will want to prove they’ve improved since last year’s playoff debacle, while the Bulls will look to bounce back with a healthy superstar point guard.

The Bulls will be improved with Rose running the show, but the Nets made bigger moves to improve this offseason. Their talent and depth will be too much for Chicago to handle, especially at the Barclays Center, where the atmosphere should be electric.

Prediction: Nets 105, Bulls  100

Nets vs. Boston Celtics, Jan. 26

The Nets will travel north to take on the Boston Celtics on Jan. 26. It will mark the first time the teams will square off in Boston since the blockbuster trade that sent Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry to Brooklyn in exchange for MarShon Brooks, Gerald Wallace, Keith Bogans and Kris Humphries.

The key to victory for the Nets will be getting the ball to Brook Lopez, Andray Blatche and Garnett in the post and containing Jeff Green and stud rookie Kelly Olynyk on the defensive end.

Establishing an inside presence early on against a vulnerable Celtics’ frontcourt will create space for Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Pierce on the perimeter.

It’s too early to say if Rajon Rondo will be back on the court for this one, but all indications are that he’ll return at some point during the regular season. If he plays, he’ll be the main concern for the Nets on both ends of the floor.

There probably isn’t much riding on this game from a big-picture perspective. The Nets and Celtics are teams headed in opposite directions. Boston is rebuilding, while the Nets are hoping to contend for a shot at the title. But there will be a lot of pride at stake, especially for the players that were part of the trade.

The Nets should take care of business in this one, but it won’t be easy. It will be strange for Pierce and Garnett returning to the place where they hoisted a banner in 2008. Expect Brooklyn to win in a close, hard-fought game.

Prediction: Nets 92, Celtics 87

Nets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Jan. 31

The Nets are set to host Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 31, just two days before Super Bowl XLVIII kicks off at Metlife Stadium.

The Thunder, with a healthy Russell Westbrook, are one of the favorites to come out of the Western Conference. It will be fascinating to watch the young, run and gun OKC team clash with the veteran-laden Brooklyn squad in a heavyweight inter-conference bout.

It’s no exaggeration to say that this could be a preview of the NBA Finals. From that standpoint, there will be a lot riding on this game. With the eyes of the nation watching, both teams will want to prove they’re the biggest bullies on the block.

The key to victory for the Nets will be slowing down the tempo of the game. Brooklyn is deep, but the starting lineup is old. Finding a way to turn it into a half-court game will be crucial for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and company.

I expect the Thunder’s youth to shine in this one, and for OKC to come away with a win in Brooklyn. Durant is capable of taking over a game and scoring 40-plus points in the blink of an eye. Look for the young superstar to dominate in his usual fashion and lead the Thunder to victory.

Prediction: Thunder 108, Nets 100