New York Knicks Schedule: Top 20 Remaining Regular-Season Games
Amar'e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks have a new superstar in town. The remaining schedule is a hot topic and we can now see what games deserve a big red circle around them.
Carmelo Anthony, Stoudemire and the rest of the Knicks are currently the six seed in the Eastern Conference and have only 28 more games to get things together before the postseason.
They currently hold a two game lead on the Philadelphia 76ers and a four game lead over the Indiana Pacers to round out the rest of the conference.
In front the Knicks are some of the NBA's best including the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls and it is highly unlikely they will catch any of them.
If they get really hot they could overtake the Atlanta Hawks or Orlando Magic but it would take a serious push to get it done.
Even so, they still have a lot to play for and have the talent to possibly win a postseason series this year.
One thing to note, this Knicks team just traded away four starters and comparing the old team's numbers against the upcoming opponents will be futile; New York will be an entirely different squad with their new players.
So, with that said, here is a look at the top 20 remaining games on the New York Knicks regular season schedule.
20. Knicks Vs. Bucks: 02/24/11
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We are still unsure whether or not Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the new New York Knicks will be suiting up a night from now but it will still be a momentous occasion.
The Bucks are the No. 9 team in the East and could challenge for a playoff seed but are unlikely to face the Knicks in any postseason scenario.
The major significance of this matchup will be the arrival of Anthony.
Even if he is just in the arena it will be a big deal but if he actually suits up Madison Square Garden will go insane.
It has been a long time since Knicks fans have had anything to look forward to; this game has a lot of moral significance.
19. Knicks @ Celtics: 04/13/11
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The last game slated on the regular season may have no significance at all, or it could be a matchup with seeding implications, we just do not know.
The Knicks and Celtics will meet once before this matchup takes place and that game will likely be more important for everyone concerned.
If the both the Knicks and Celtics are locked into the postseason with no chance of improving (or regressing) we will likely see a watered down game.
Only time will tell with this matchup but it is still another matchup in a rivalry that would love to take flight again.
18. Knicks @ Pacers: 04/10/11
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Another late season matchup that could have seeding implications or no significance at all.
The Pacers could still get involved in the trading market at some point and are currently holding course with a one game lead for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana is unlikely to face the Knicks in postseason play but the two teams have a long history against one another and if this matchup has any bearing on the playoffs it will obviously boost its importance.
17. Knicks @ Bucks: 03/25/11
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A late March road game against the Bucks precedes a three game home stand with battles against Boston and Orlando (third game against Milwaukee again) that will test the Knicks' true toughness.
They will play three games in four days and this road matchup is a game they cannot drop heading back East.
The Knicks will have had almost a full month under their belt with the new talent and should be in peak position at this stage of the season.
A win over Milwaukee before traveling back home could set the tone for a Knicks run into the postseason.
16. Knicks Vs. Cavaliers: 03/04/11
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I know, I know, it's the Cavaliers but this game will be a test.
The Knicks will have played as many as five games with the new lineup (three against playoff teams) and should use this as a statement game.
New York will host Cleveland in the Garden on this Friday night and should start to get a feel for how great they can really be together.
Three of their first four after the All-Star break are on the road and this will be the second straight home game for them following a visit from New Orleans.
If they lose to the Hornets it will be imperative for them to get a win over Cleveland.
If they beat the Hornets they will have to prove they can consistently win and not have a letdown.
15. Knicks @ Bucks: 03/20/11
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Another matchup with the Bucks, but this time, in mid-March, it is on the road.
Following this matchup they will take on Boston and Orlando at home followed by another game against Milwaukee (No. 17 on this list).
The Knicks have huge opportunities to knock down two the conference's best teams but cannot overlook this matchup.
It is also the second road game in a row for them (previous being a trip to Detroit) and they must prove they can win on the road if they want to be successful.
A loss here puts an added sense of urgency on the home games that the Knicks do not need to deal with.
14. Knicks @ Bobcats: 03/26/11
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This is a big, late season road battle against a team that is chasing the Knicks in the East.
Charlotte could make a push for the playoffs, is unlikely to face New York, but could also be a thorn in their side here.
This game is sandwiched between a pair of three game home stands for the Knicks.
It is easy to overlook a game like this when all you want to do is return home and get ready for Orlando once again but New York has to hold strong.
This team has to prove they are a different squad then the teams of the past and winning a game like this goes a long way.
13. Knicks @ Grizzlies: 03/09/11
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The Memphis Grizzlies are right in the thick of things for the Western Conference eight seed and are one of the teams that will be looking to overtake the now weakened Denver Nuggets.
Here though, in early March, they will host a Knicks team on a quick two game road trip that ends with a matchup in Dallas the very next day.
This is late enough in the gelling process of the new squad to be an important matchup.
Knocking off Dallas at home will not be easy, especially with no rest day in between, so it is important the Knicks get a win in Memphis.
12. Knicks Vs. Pacers: 03/13/11
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This mid-March matchup is the first of a home-and-home series with the Indiana Pacers.
New York will welcome Indiana in the Garden first and will be looking to get a quality win at home in the midst of a seven game stretch that features only two games in their own building.
As discussed earlier, Indiana is a potential playoff team that will have a lot to play for the Knicks cannot take conference opponents lightly.
They play the Pacers three times following the All-Star break but this is the only chance they get to have them in the Garden.
Assuming everyone is healthy, this is just about the time the Knicks should start peaking as a unit.
11. Knicks @ 76ers: 04/06/11
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The only matchup this side of the All-Star break between the Knicks and 76ers will take place in early April.
New York currently holds a two game lead over this Philadelphia team and this game could have postseason/seeding implications tied to it.
It is the first of three straight road games for the Knicks and even if they are ahead of 76ers by insurmountable number this late in the season they will likely keep everyone tuned up until at least the last three games.
If there is any significance to this game than it is obviously a must-win scenario.
10. Knicks Vs. Hornets: 03/02/11
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This early-March matchup will be the first home game for the Knicks after they open the All-Star Break in the Garden.
New Orleans will be a good test for New York who will be looking to avenge a home loss to the Knicks earlier in the season.
The Hornets are in a tight battle for the five, six or seven seed in the West and cannot afford too many losses.
The game also immediately follows a road matchup with the Orlando Magic and Knicks have show some toughness in the face back-to-back games.
As for a bit of fun, it may be one showing of the type of team the Knicks could have if they pursue Chris Paul into free agency in 2012.
Carmelo, Amar'e and CP3 would be quite a trio.
9. Knicks @ Pacers: 03/15/11
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I like this matchup because it has the chance to be a demoralizing blow to the Pacers.
New York hosts Indiana two days prior to this matchup and getting back-to-back wins against an old rival is a not easy.
Defeating the Pacers at home then traveling to their place and saying, "we'll beat you up here too", is an opportunity the Knicks cannot pass up.
If they happen to lose against Indiana at home than they have to get at least one of the two.
This is a mid-March game the Knicks must win on the road.
8. Knicks @ Mavericks: 03/10/11
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The Knicks will travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks the day after playing in Memphis.
The game is a part of six game stretch where the Knicks will face four potential playoff teams (Memphis and Indiana twice) and could be a turning point for their season.
The Mavericks are one of the best teams in the league, have the No. 2 seed in the West to themselves right now and would like nothing more than to destroy the new-look Knicks.
If New York wants to prove they are for real than this is one of the those games they have to win.
7. Knicks @ Hawks: 03/06/11
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The one team the Knicks could set their sights on to try and catch in the East is the Atlanta Hawks.
Only 5.5 games out, the Knicks only play the Hawks once the remainder the season.
The trip down to Atlanta will be a nationally televised game on a Sunday in early March; the seventh game of Carmelo's stint with New York.
The Hawks and Knicks have played three time already this season with the Knicks winning the most recent matchup right before All-Star break.
It will be a good test for both teams that should get used to doing battle with another in next few season.
6. Knicks Vs. Magic: 03/23/11
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The Orlando Magic are one of the teams the Knicks are could technically be caught if New York gets hot and Magic get cold.
This matchup though, in the Garden in late March, will be a huge opportunity for the Knicks to show they really belong in the East.
It is one of two times they will get Orlando at home in March and this first meeting, preceded by a matchup against Boston at home, will be the toughest two home games they have the rest of the year.
If they can get both games, or at least one of the two, it will be a good thing.
5. Knicks Vs. Bulls: 04/12/11
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There is no telling if this late season game will have any importance or not but if the Bulls or Knicks are in a fight for seeding than we will be in for a battle.
The Bulls and Knicks are likely to be two big time rivals for years to come with their young squads and this matchup could be the first big one.
If both teams already have their fate decided then we'll be treated to national broadcast of backups and little used role players.
4. Knicks @ Magic: 03/01/11
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The second of the three Magic matchups on this list comes very soon.
Carmelo and Chauncey Billups will barely have time to break a sweat in their Knick uniforms before taking a trip down to Florida to battle the Magic.
The final stop of a three game road trip that begins in Cleveland and runs through Miami and Orlando will be the first real test for the new-look Knicks.
Carmelo, Amar'e and Billups will certainly not be the best we can expect from them, but maybe a tough early matchup is what they'll need to bring out the best in each other.
It will not be easy, but this is an important early road game of the Carmelo/Amar'e era.
3. Knicks @ Heat: 02/27/11
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Every time the Knicks play LeBron it is a big deal.
Now add Carmelo to the equation, in only his third game on the roster, and we have ourselves the making of a wildly popular Sunday night matchup on ESPN.
It will be hard to judge the new-look Knicks in only their third game together but everyone will be watching to see what will happen in Miami.
Again, it is early, but the Knicks are building themselves to do battle with this team for the next five years; time to see what they can do.
2. Knicks Vs. Celtics: 03/21/11
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This is a huge matchup for the Knicks.
They are at home for three straight games and get a shot at Boston and Orlando in two of those three.
It will be early enough for the Celtics to still have their foot on the gas and the Knicks will be battling for a shot at a higher playoff seed.
If the Knicks ever want to be the best in the East they will likely have to take down the Celtics; this is their first chance.
1. Knicks Vs. Magic: 03/28/11
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The Magic will likely be battling with the Bulls for seeding purposes and this matchup could have a bearing on who the Knicks play in the postseason.
As it stands now, Chicago is the three seed and Orlando is the four. The Knicks are the six and if I were a betting man I would likely put my money on New York staying the sixth spot.
A late March game with playoff implications is just the type of matchup the Knicks should want.
It is the first, and toughest, of a four game home stand that could help finalize the Knicks' playoff position.
Carmelo, Amar'e and the Knicks will be in full swing and we will if they can hang with one of the best the East has to offer.
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