Knicks face LeBron, Heat at MSG on Dec. 17
LeBron James, left, and Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat are introduced during a welcome party at American Airlines Arena. (July 9, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
Knicks fans/LeBron James haters will have to wait until mid-December to vilify the Miami Heat's newest star attraction at Madison Square Garden.
The NBA released its 2010-11 team schedules Tuesday and the Knicks don't host the Heat and their triple threat of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh until Friday, Dec. 17, in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The Heat's other visit to the Garden will be Thursday, Jan. 27.
The Knicks open the season with two road games, Wednesday, Oct. 27, against the Toronto Raptors, followed by a trip to Boston on Friday. The Knicks' home opener is Saturday, Oct. 30, against Brandon Roy and the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Knicks host the Chicago Bulls in a holiday matinee on Christmas Day.
Amar'e Stoudemire will face his former mates, the Phoenix Suns, for the first time Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Day.
The two-time defending champion Lakers make their only regular-season visit to the Garden on Feb. 11, and NBA No. 1 overall draft pick John Wall and the Washington Wizards visit the Garden on Nov. 5 and Jan. 24.
TNT and ESPN/ABC are scheduled to televise 11 Knicks contests nationally.
Free agent Mason signed
The Knicks have signed free-agent guard Roger Mason Jr. Mason, 29, has averaged 7.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 346 career games with Chicago, Toronto, Washington and San Antonio.
