The Cavs enter the week having won the last two games of their west-coast road trip, but still find themselves in 6th place in the lowly Eastern Conference. This week, they have important match-ups including the Bulls and Thunder, and need a good week to start the momentum if they have any hope of finishing with home-court advantage in the playoffs. Elsewhere, the Warriors and Bulls both face tough weeks, and the Raptors head out on the road again.
Below is an exciting match up for each day this coming week that you should check out:
Monday, January 19th – Bulls at Cavaliers, 7:30pm ET on TNT
The Martin Luther King, Jr holiday is perhaps the 2nd most important game-day in the NBA regular season. A host of special games and nationally televised broadcasts bring us some nice match ups, none better than this. Coming into the week, the Bulls are limping from losses to the Wizards and Hawks, and without Noah down low seem a little aimless. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, are coming in winners of 2 in a row to end their west-coast road string after two terrible weeks where everything about the team was questioned. If the Cavs are indeed “back” they’ll need to handle the Bulls, and the Bulls need this win to get back on track and prove they are still in the top tier of teams in the East.
Other great games tonight include Pistons at Hawks (2:30pm on ESPN) and Mavs at Grizzlies (5:00pm on NBATV)
A short schedule leaves us with the Thunder who are still fighting for the 8th playoff spot in the Western Conference after winning at home against the NBA leading Warriors. They’ll take on the Heat, who are currently 7th in the East and are rumored to be buyers in the trade market – looking to push themselves higher in the weak Eastern Conference. The Thunder, for their part, are also rumored buyers, and by Tuesday either of these teams could have Brook Lopez prowling the inside.
Wednesday, January 21st – Rockets at Warriors, 10:30pm ET on ESPN
On Saturday night, the Warriors had a huge third quarter and blew out the Rockets in Houston. This return match will be a chance for Houston to stake its claim in the West, something few teams have been able to do to the dominant Warriors. Bogut is still questionable, so Houston will need to be able to dominate inside and take advantage of their size advantage, while also slowing down the dynamic guard duo of Curry and Thompson.
Other great games tonight include Thunder at Wizards (8:00pm on ESPN) and Raptors at Grizzlies (8:00pm on NBALP)
Thursday, January 22nd – Spurs at Bulls, 8:00pm ET on TNT
The Bulls continue a tough week with a National TV matchup with the Spurs, who have Kawhi Leonard back on the court and are aiming to right their ship as well. With Kawhi, the Spurs have regained some of the appearance of last year’s title team, and the Bulls will have a hard time matching their open play and passing. The Bulls have been limp without Noah on the inside, and if he can come back for this match-up, expect him to look to take Matt Bonner to task.
Friday, January 23rd – Thunder at Hawks, 7:30pm ET on NBA League Pass
The Hawks have been unstoppable this season, especially at home, and come into the week with at least 5 games of space between them and anyone else in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder are still searching for the right “third man” to lead them into the playoffs, where they’ll be looking to surprise teams and move through the playoff bracket. If the Thunder hope to do that, they need every victory – especially ones over top teams like Atlanta.
Other great games tonight include Bulls at Mavericks (8:00pm on ESPN) and Rockets at Suns (9:00pm on NBALP)
Saturday, January 24th – Wizards at Trail Blazers, 10:00pm ET on NBATV
The Wizards come in following a week in which they beat the Spurs and Bulls (and lost to the Nets in a blowout). Portland, the silent killers of the Western Conference, come in to the week having lost 3 straight and putting space between themselves and Golden State at the top of the standings. Both teams have what it takes to win this game, but who will show up – a team ready to take on one of the best teams from the other side of the country, or a team not focused on victory tonight.
Other great games tonight include Pistons at Bucks (7:30pm on NBATV)
Sunday, January 25th – Thunder at Cavaliers, 3:30pm on ABC
The NBA returns to ABC on Sunday, and we’re treated to a battle of two teams that are in need of big wins. By Sunday, each could be through multiple trades – as both teams feature in multiple trade rumors – but are still looking for a winning combination that will take them into and through the playoffs. I, for one, am happy we can celebrate Sunday Matinee basketball replacing NFL football, and look forward to a great second half of the season.
Other great games tonight include Clippers at Suns (6:00pm on NBALP), Mavericks at Pelicans (6:00pm on NBALP), and Pistons at Raptors (7:00pm on NBALP)