The NBA is expected to release its schedule for the 2016-17 regular season this week, at which point we’ll know the full slate of Christmas Day games, but a Celtics-Knicks showdown certainly makes sense given that both teams play in big markets and are coming off notable offseasons. New York’s home opener is four days later against the Grizzlies.
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The Knicks, meanwhile, traded for former NBA MVP Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls and signed Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings in free agency.
The Boston Celtics have been able to enjoy Christmas Day with their families the last few years, but that will all reportedly change in the upcoming season. It was also shut out of the Christmas slate last season for the first time since 2008. I’m particularly interested in seeing the first 7 games of November with games against Chicago, Brooklyn, Boston and Toronto. Both Rose and Porzingis were among the top-15 in jersey sales past year, according to NBA.com.
The question is, which five games will be must-see television for every Knicks fan?
Another game that will garner national intrigue is Kevin Durant’s first game in Oklahoma City on February 11, when Durant will be target of intense Midwest vitriol.
Lebron James and the Cavaliers come to NY on December 7.
Jeremy Lin comes to the Garden as a member of the Brooklyn Nets for the first time on November 9. The Cavs don’t visit Boston until March 1.
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NY will spend New Year’s Eve in Houston as they battle the Rockets. The Knicks didn’t play on Christmas Day last season after playing on the NBA’s marquee day for the previous six seasons.
