Will the NBA lockout crush Carmelo Anthony’s return to Denver in November? Perhaps.
According to a person debriefed on the Knicks’ 2011-12 schedule, the club embarks on a West Coast trip in November and will play a snazzy, nationally televised back-to-back, facing the Nuggets Nov. 16 on ESPN and the Lakers at Staples Center Nov. 17 on TNT’s Thursday night showcase.
The NBA will announce its full 82-game team schedules today at 2 p.m. on NBA TV, though all of November’s games are in question because of the ongoing lockout that began July 1.
Matt Winer, Steve Smith and Dennis Scott will host the show and new hire Shaquille O’Neal will call in his analysis.
Anthony never faced the Nuggets after being dealt to the Knicks after All-Star Weekend in February. He stands to face a LeBron James-like Cleveland reception from Denver’s fans, considering he forced the trade and disrupted the Nuggets’ season. It will also mark the first time Danilo Gallinari faces the Knicks.
The 1999 lockout ended in January and each team played six interconference games that season.