New York Knicks Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for February

The shortest month of the year will be a tough one for the Knicks.

Throughout February, New York will face high-caliber teams like the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. The franchise will also compete against the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics twice. 

New York has some notable matchups on the horizon, including its crosstown rivalry with the Brooklyn Nets, and February could be a challenging yet entertaining month for the organization. 

The Knicks may have their hands full—even struggling to defend against a team like the Detroit Pistons who have two behemoths in the frontcourt in Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe—but the organization has played hard lately and that same energy is expected. 

Most Notable Matchup: Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks (Feb. 7)

Though the Knicks open the month hosting the Los Angeles Lakers, there's very little allure to that game without Kobe Bryant in action. 

The Knicks and Lakers are competing for a top draft pick, so there is some excitement there for those enamored with tanking, but from a basketball perspective, this could be an ugly game for both organizations. 

The same can be said about New York's next opponent, the Boston Celtics.

With Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green no longer members of the Celtics, Boston has fully embraced the "tank," and this has the potential to be a game full of turnovers and missed shots on each end of the floor. Though Boston plays hard for head coach Brad Stevens, there isn't much talent on the roster, and New York could find itself getting the victory here. 

Traveling to Brooklyn to face the Nets is always a marquee matchup, but there isn't as much appeal for this game at this time of the year. The Nets are exploring trade possibilities for their pricey stars, and New York is trotting out guys on 10-day contracts who are surprisingly effective in the triangle offense. 

The real exciting game of Week 1 is against the Warriors, with the Splash Brothers stepping foot in the Garden. Expect Klay Thompson and Steph Curry to hand in 30 points apiece and knock down at least eight three-pointers between them. 

New York has no chance to guard Golden State's backcourt, and Harrison Barnes could be a dark horse to go off for 20 points if too much attention is placed on Thompson and Curry. 

Weekly Record: 2-2

Most Notable Matchup: New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat (Feb. 9, Feb. 20)

In Week 2, New York only has three games, two against the Heat and the other facing the Orlando Magic.

The Magic are a talented, young organization with potential. Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris are solid scorers, Victor Oladipo is very talented, and Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon are exciting rookies who will continue developing.

But other than that, it's a game that can be ugly, and even boring, for the casual fan. 

New York's notable matchup here is against the Miami Heat, who possess some star power with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. 

The Heat aren't the same menacing team they were with LeBron James on board, but the franchise is well coached and always plays its best basketball against the Knicks. 

Expect Wade to look his best and for the Heat to do everything they can to embarrass New York in both outings. The Knicks have been playing tough and well lately so perhaps they battle to keep these two games close.

Weekly Record: 0-3

Most Notable Matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks (Feb. 22)

The final week of February will really test New York's merits. The Knicks will face the Cavs, Celtics, Pistons and Raptors. 

A second outing against the Celtics will be its easiest competitor, but even then it isn't a guaranteed victory. 

The Pistons, although without Brandon Jennings, are still a difficult ball club to beat. With two excellent bigs in Drummond and Monroe, New York will struggle defending the two of them, and this game could be an ugly one. 

Facing Toronto would be the most notable matchup if it wasn't for the Cavs. Though the Raptors have been playing excellent basketball led by Kyle Lowry, LeBron James and the Cavs have too much star power to not be the game every fan points to as the one they want to attend. 

Expect James to compete at his highest level like he always does at Madison Square Garden, and New York will have its hands full with Kyrie Irving. 

It'll also be the first time Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith face their former team, so there'll be some nostalgia and emotion for everyone involved. It should be a fun matchup that will most likely end in a Cavaliers victory.

Weekly Record: 1-3

Monthly Record: 3-8

Though the Knicks have looked more like an NBA franchise since trading away Shumpert and Smith and bringing in hungry athletes on 10-day contracts, the talent on this roster isn't enough to string together a winning month. 

There is also the risk that Carmelo Anthony misses some time to rest his knee during this stretch that may make winning tougher than it already is. 

New York has a decent group of role players on board, and the triangle has run more efficiently with Lance Thomas, Langston Galloway and Lou Amundson in the lineup, but those three men aren't enough to veil the many other inefficiencies plaguing the organization. 

There is still a lack of size that will be exploited against the Pistons and Raptors, and consistency on defense will be a question mark until New York proves otherwise.

February could be a fun month with some premier matchups against talented teams and very entertaining players, but if one is expecting wins, this won't be the month they pile in.