Nuggets, Knicks May Play Twice With New Schedule

The NBA is still working out the kinks from its new shortened schedule, but here is the nuts and bolts of what has been decided.

• Each team will play 66 games, 48 in conference and 18 non-conference games.
• Each team, in conference, will play six teams four times (2 home, 2 away), eight teams three times.
• Each team will face three non-conference teams twice, and the other 12 teams once (six home, six away).
• The regular season would end April 28, 2012.
• Each team will have to play back-to-back-to-back games at least once, and no more than three times.

With this setup, and the NBA’s effort to keep its marque games, there are reports that the Nuggets would still play the Knicks twice. Carmelo Anthony’s return to Denver on Nov. 17 was among the games that was canceled and it wouldn’t be out of the question for the League to keep that game on the schedule.

HEAT STILL MAY PURSUE NENE

Miami isn’t backing off from its pursuit of Nuggets big man Nene and according to ESPN’s  Brian Windhorst, the Heat would be willing to offer role players Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

Miami offered Denver the same deal last season, but it was rejected and it will most likely be rejected again.

In fact, Miller was recently told by the Heat that they would use the Amnesty Clause on him and eat the four years of his deal which is worth $24 million and it wouldn’t be out of the question for the Nuggets to be interested in the veteran shooting guard – just not his contract.

The New Jersey Nets have also shown interest in Nene, but he will likely be out of their price range. The two teams that are most likely to pursue Nene are the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. The issue for both the teams is they don’t have spending money, both are just $6 million under the cap – while the Nuggets are almost $20 million.

BIG BABY INTERESTED IN NUGGETS

According to sources, Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis has targeted the Nuggets, Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and maybe even the New Orleans Hornets.

He may be a backup idea for the Nuggets if they lose Nene. The Nets are also set to go after Davis, if they don’t land Nene or Kris Humphries.