Nets’ five key games to watch this season

1. Friday, Dec. 4 vs. the Knicks at Madison Square Garden

The 2015-16 edition of the New York City rivalry begins in early December with the first matchup of the season between the Knicks and Nets.

2. Monday, Jan. 4 vs. the Celtics at Barclays Center

The Nets play host to the division-rival Celtics for the final game of the teams’ second home-and-home set of the season.

3. Friday Feb. 19 vs. the Knicks at Barclays Center

The Knicks head south to Brooklyn to take on the Nets for a third time on the season and second straight time at Barclays.

4.Tuesday, Feb. 23 vs. the Trailblazers in Portland

The Nets kick off a nine-game road trip with a game against the Trailblazers. The trip also includes West Coast stops at the Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, T-Wolves, Suns and Nuggets.

5. Tuesday March 8 vs. the Raptors in Toronto

The Nets head to Canada for the second-to-last contest of their nine-game trip against the Raptors, last year’s Atlantic Division champions.