The Warriors, the NBA’s best team, face a tough back-to-back with the Cavs and Raptors. Meanwhile, the Clippers get to stay home and host the Grizzlies before they head to Chicago for a Sunday National TV matchup with the Bulls. It’s a busy week, and with less than 30 games per team left, every day has an exciting battle in store for us.
Below is an exciting match up for each day this coming week that you should check out:
Monday, February 23rd – Grizzlies at Clippers, 10:30pm ET on NBATV
After a tough run before the All-Star break, the Clippers come into the week having won 4 in a row, and are 8 games behind the Warriors, tied for 4th place. The Grizzlies are a mere 4 1/2 games back and seem to have found their stride before the break, with Jeff Green spurring them back into contention for the top spot. With teams so tightly bunched in the Western Conference, games like this can be considered “playoff previews”, and gain an additional importance. With Blake Griffin out for another few weeks, the Clippers will be looking to rely on the great play of DeAndre Jordan to counter the inside power of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph.
Other great games tonight include Bucks at Bulls (8:00pm on NBALP) and Raptors at Pelicans (8:00pm ET on NBATV).
Tuesday, February 24th – Raptors at Mavericks, 7:30pm ET on NBATV
The Raptors held their cards at the trade deadline and doubled down on their young but feisty team. The cohesion that steadiness provided was on display in a big win this past week in Atlanta, but fell apart in Houston the next night in a 22 point loss to the Rockets. The Mavericks made the early trade splash by picking up Rajon Rondo, and a late one by signing Amar’e, but are fighting in the tough Western Conference. A simple matchup of two good teams, many of us are wondering if either of these teams has what it takes to get to the Finals, so games like this will go a long way to showing us what they’re made of.
Other great games tonight include Warriors at Wizards (7:00pm on NBALP).
Wednesday, February 25th – Mavericks at Hawks, 7:30pm on NBA League Pass
The Mavericks follow-up their battle with Toronto by facing the Eastern Conference leaders, the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks start the week having lost 4 of 8 after their 19-game winning streak was cut. While nobody is openly doubting them as regular-season champions, the Hawks weak rebounding could cause long-term issues. In the Mavericks, they face a team with Tyson Chandler, one of the best rebounding big men in the league. While Dallas is likely not the same caliber of team as the Hawks, this will be a good test of their ability to handle a team with a dominant inside presence.
Other great games tonight include Clippers at Rockets (8:00pm ET on ESPN) and Spurs at Blazers (10:30pm on ESPN).
Thursday, February 26th – Warriors at Cavaliers, 8:00pm ET on TNT
By record, the Warriors are the best team in the league coming into the week. They have maintained a high level of play all season, and just this past week they defeated their nemesis the Spurs by 11. The Cavs are another story all together, having now won 16 of their last 18 games after a first-half full of self-doubt and internal struggles. The Cavs are the hottest team in the league, the Warriors the best by record – what more could you ask for in a highlight National TV matchup.
Other great games tonight include Thunder at Suns (10:30pm ET on TNT).
Friday, February 27th – Warriors at Raptors, 7:30pm ET on NBA League Pass
No rest for the weary, as the Warriors follow-up their show-down with the Cavs with a visit to Toronto. The Raptors soundly beat the Hawks this past week, and if they can get through the early-week back-to-back with the Pelicans and Mavs, will have a nice 3 days off coming into this game. The Warriors dominated this matchup in Oakland, so it will be interesting to see how the Raptors treat the battle this time, and if they can do anything to stop the torrid guard play of Golden State.
Other great games tonight include Clippers at Grizzlies (8:00pm ET on NBALP) and Thunder at Blazers (10:30pm on ESPN).
Saturday, February 28th – Spurs at Suns, 9:00pm ET on NBATV
The Spurs, now healthy, look like the team we expected. While not leading the Conference, they are comfortably ahead of the final playoff spot, and seem to be cruising into the playoffs. The Suns, who were so active at the trade deadline, come into the week 1 1/2 games out of the 8th playoff spot – not where they wanted to be. By this point in the week, we’ll likely know if the Suns are packing it in or fighting the Thunder for the last spot.
Sunday, March 1 – Clippers at Bulls, 1:00pm ET on ABC
Both of these teams are filled with mystery. The Clippers come in one of the most hated teams in the league, but have star talent and seem to be hanging in there while Blake Griffin is out with injury. The Bulls, even more victimized by the injury bug, have continued to fight in the East, and are still many people’s favorite to get to the finals once everything is said and done. 1pm start times are unique and weird, and will likely not give us a completely clear picture of the teams. That being said, a national TV matchup always brings out the best in these teams, so we can likely expect it to be a battle to the end.
Other great games tonight include Cavaliers at Rockets (3:30pm ET on ABC).