Nets-Knicks opener in Brooklyn postponed

Barclays Center sits right above a major mass-transit hub, an ideal destination for fans throughout New York.

Not right now, though.

With those subways knocked out by Hurricane Sandy and no way of knowing how fans would get there, the city's mayor decided this isn't the time for a game.

So Michael Bloomberg asked the NBA to postpone tonight's highly anticipated opener between the Knicks and Nets, and the league agreed Wednesday.

"It's a great stadium, it would have been a great game, but the bottom line is: There is not a lot of mass transit. Our police have plenty of other things to do," Bloomberg said at a news conference.

Barclays Center sits above the Atlantic Avenue subway station complex which hosts nine subway lines and a Long Island Rail Road station, and was expanded as part of the $1 billion arena's construction. The Nets believe that will be a major selling point in drawing fans to the games after they were plagued by poor attendance during their years in New Jersey.

But without knowing what - if any - subways would be available and with city officials still preferring people not drive into New York, the Nets agreed with the decision.

"We're disappointed that we can't play, but there's a lot more important things going on right now, a lot of people displaced from their homes, a lot of people lost loved ones. So in the grand scheme of things, a basketball game really doesn't mean much right now," Nets point guard Deron Williams told reporters after practice. "I think it'd be hard for a lot of people to even get to the game in the first place, with public transportation being shut down. I guess it makes sense to not have the game."

The Knicks are now scheduled to open their season at home Friday night against the Miami Heat. The Nets are scheduled to host Toronto on Saturday night.

The Nets are working with the league to find a makeup date. Tickets for tonight's game will be honored for the rescheduled game.

76ers 84, Nuggets 75: Spencer Hawes had 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead Philadelphia past visiting Denver.

Spurs 99, Hornets 95: Tim Duncan scored 24 points, leading San Antonio at New Orleans in the debut for top draft pick Anthony Davis.

Davis scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds, a promising start for the player who spent only one year at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats to the national title.

Rockets 105, Pistons 96: At Auburn Hills, Mich., James Harden had 37 points and 12 assists in his Houston debut, and the Rockets beat Detroit.

Pacers 90, Raptors 88: George Hill scored the go-ahead basket with two seconds left, lifting Indiana at Toronto.

Clippers 101, Grizzlies 92: Jamal Crawford scored 29 points in 30 minutes to lead Los Angeles past visiting Memphis.

Bulls 93, Kings 87: Joakim Noah scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading host Chicago past Sacramento.

Jazz 113, Mavericks 94: At Salt Lake City, Mo Williams and Marvin Williams each scored 21 points to lead Utah past Dallas.

Warriors 87, Suns 85: Carl Landry scored 14 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Golden State won at Phoenix.

Trail Blazers 116, Lakers 106: Nicolas Batum scored 26 points and Portland beat visiting Los Angeles.