2012 NBA schedule: Cavaliers to face 2 of East's best teams over weekend

Boosted by the return of star point guard Kyrie Irving from a broken finger, the Cleveland Cavaliers will try to get back on track this weekend with key games scheduled against two of the hottest teams in the league.

The Cavs will play host to a perimeter-oriented Milwaukee Bucks team on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena, as Cleveland will try to avenge a 105-105 loss to Milwaukee suffered back on Nov. 3. The Bucks, who are led by the backcourt scoring duo of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, are currently one of 11 Eastern Conference teams with at least 11 wins to open the season.

Following Friday's game, the Cavs will be forced to make a quick trip to New York for an evening date with the East-leading Knicks. The Knicks are one of only three teams in the NBA with at least 16 wins on the year, and currently cling to a 1.5-game lead on the Miami Heat for first place in the conference. While the Cavs have yet to face the Knicks in 2012-13, Cleveland did manage to pull off a 98-90 victory last April in the two team's previous meeting.

Cavs Weekend Schedule

Friday, Dec. 14 - vs. Milwaukee Bucks - 7:30 p.m. ET - FSOhio

Saturday, Dec. 15 - at New York Knicks - 7:30 p.m. ET - FSOhio