NBA schedule 2012: Knicks, Nets start weekend with Friday games

The New York Knicks head west to take on the Sacramento Kings Friday night in their only game of the weekend, while the Brooklyn Nets begin a back-to-back at home against the Charlotte Bobcats tonight in the team's first game since Avery Johnson was fired on Thursday.

New York downed the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, 99-97, thanks to a buzzer-beating jumper from J.R. Smith. This will be their first meeting of the season with the Kings.

P.J. Carlesimo will serve as the Nets' interim head coach in Johnson's place, as Brooklyn has lost five of its last six contests. They will host a Bobcats team that has dropped 16-consecutive games heading into Friday night. On Saturday, the Nets welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers into the Barclays Center, a team they have already beaten once this season.

Elsewhere on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers host the Portland Trail Blazers and the Philadelphia 76ers meet the Golden State Warriors.

Saturday night sees James Harden and the Houston Rockets hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Miami Heat taking on the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sunday's schedule has four games, including the San Antonio Spurs visiting the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers hosting the Utah Jazz.

For a complete look at the weekend schedule in the NBA, click right here.