New York Knicks vs. New Jersey Nets: Full Preview, Spread Info and More

The New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets will begin their preseason schedules on Saturday as both teams look forward to a season with high expectations.

The Knicks added Tyson Chandler in free agency this month to bolster their front court that already included superstars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.

The Nets will hope to contend for the playoffs in an improved Atlantic division, and proving they can be a quality team will help their chances of re-signing star point guard Deron Williams, who is a free agent next summer.

Both teams will look to build team chemistry with all the new faces on each side, and that challenge begins this weekend. 

Let's look at everything you need to know about this exciting matchup!

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

Watch: MSG

When: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Listen: 1050 ESPN radio

Spread: Knicks -5.5 (according to Betonline.com)

Key Injuries: Both teams have no injuries to report.

What's at Stake?

Despite this game being just a preseason test, it is vital that both teams continue to develop their team chemistry, especially in the starting lineups.

It will take time for Anthony, Stoudemire and Chandler to get used to the each other's styles of play, and the new faces on the Nets will have a similar challenge.

With the anticipation for success in New York and New Jersey this season, getting a win on Saturday would be a nice start for both teams. This is not your ordinary preseason opener.

What They're Saying

Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni told Michael Kay on ESPN radio this week that he believes his team can compete for an NBA title.

Via ESPN New York:

"

If you have a center from the defending champions on your team that's 28 years old and is playing the best basketball he's ever played and you've got two superstars in [Carmelo Anthony] and [Amare Stoudemire], obviously you've got to compete for a championship.

"

Player to Watch for Knicks: Tyson Chandler

Tyson Chandler's defensive talent turned the Dallas Mavericks from a good team into an NBA Finals-winning squad, and the Knicks need him to be the dominating interior defender he was last season.

Chandler was the perfect signing for the Knicks because defense has been a real struggle for the team in recent seasons, especially in the paint, and the team has not had a dominating center since the days of Patrick Ewing.

Chandler's play this season will determine how successful the Knicks end up being.

Player to Watch for Nets: Brook Lopez

Young center Brook Lopez is a good player, but he has not reached his full potential as an NBA player yet, and this season will be a big year for his development.

However, the main reason Lopez needs to do well this season is to improve his trade value, because if the Nets want to make a run at landing Orlando Magic star center Dwight Howard, Lopez will have to be the center piece of that deal.

Key Matchup: Lopez vs. Chandler

It's going to be really exciting watching these two centers battle in the paint. Lopez is the better offensive player and Chandler the better defensive player, so this will be an interesting matchup to watch.

Lopez has not become a dominant offensive player even though he is capable of being one, and going up against a top interior defender such as Chandler will help him see how much he's improved over the offseason.

Prediction: Knicks win, 85-78

The Knicks just have too much power in the front court to lose this game, and without a scorer that can take over the game, the Nets will not beat the superior talent of their rival.

Chandler's defense in the paint will be too much for the Nets to handle, and Deron Williams won't be able to carry the Nets past the Knicks by himself.

If the Knicks want to be title contenders this season, they must be able to beat inferior teams with ease, and against the Nets there is no excuse for a Knicks loss.