Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

This past week in the NBA has been a bumpy one, were now starting to see all the problems surrounding the Lakers and on the bright side Ricky Rubio returned.

This week on ESPN Australia we’ll be camping out at Madison Square Garden as the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls roll into to take on the surging New York Knicks.

BROOKLYN NETS @ NEW YORK KNICKS

Time & Date: Thursday December 20 from Madison Square Garden

Coverage: LIVE 11:00 am AEDT (See TV Guide for other games and times)

It will be the 3rd time this year these rivals square off, with the teams splitting the previous contests 1-1. Now with the Knicks in their backyard it will be tougher for the Nets to establish their hard-nosed defense.

The leading 3 point shooting team in the league will feel right at home and will want to shoot the lights out. At most times the Knicks have 5 guys on the court who can stroke it from deep.

Watch For: Defending the 3′s.

Miami have succumb to the Knicks 3 point shooting twice, if the Nets aren’t careful it’ll be raining treys before you know it.

CHICAGO BULLS @ NEW YORK KNICKS

Time & Date: Saturday December 22 from Madison Square Garden

Coverage: LIVE 11:30 am AEDT (See TV Guide for other games and times)

There’s been some great battles against these 2 in the Garden over the years. Just last year was that memorable game where Carmelo Anthony knocked down back to back clutch 3′s to pull out the win.

It will be different this time around with no Derrick Rose, the Bulls will be trying to slow the pace down so they can get their defense set and clamp down on the shooters. Although that’s easier said then done.

Watch For: The Bulls front court offense.

The main scoring threats on this Chicago team are in the low post where Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah go to work. They need to get their game going which will open it up for the rest of the team to operate.

These are the games you can catch on ESPN Australia via Foxtel throughout the week.

Can the Knicks keep up their ridiculous 3 point shooting or will the sturdy Nets and Bulls defence bring them back to earth?