Five Games To Watch This Week 12/30 - 1/5

F LaMarcus Aldridge and the Trail Blazers got the best of the
Thunder in their first meeting. 

5. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Friday January 3, 2014 8:30pm

The Mavericks have been better than expected, and the Clippers are expected to contend, so this is a must-watch game. This is the first of a back-to-back for the Clippers in Texas, and this is the easier game. Monta Ellis has blended in very well for the Mavericks so far, so the Clippers should look for the pick-and-roll game between Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki. Chris Paul's pick-and-roll game should always be a point of emphasis for any opponent defensively as well.

4. Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Monday December 30, 2013 10:30pm

This will be Eric Bledsoe's first game against the Clippers since he was included in a three-team deal including the Suns, Clippers and Bucks. Bledsoe has been amazing so far for the Suns, teaming with Goran Dragic in a small but effective backcourt. J.J. Redick's injury has affected the Clippers a little, but they're still winning games. It would be nice to see the Suns get an impressive road win. Bledsoe would love to get it against his former team.

3. Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat
Thursday January 2, 2014 7:30pm

The Warriors beat the Heat in Miami last year, so the defending champions will be looking for a little revenge. The Warriors have been up and down so far, but the current collapse from the Nuggets have gotten the Warriors in playoff seeding. The Warriors have what it takes to beat the Heat in their building. Will they do it?

2. Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs
Saturday January 4, 2013 8:30pm

The Clippers smoked the Spurs the first time these two teams played, but Tony Parker got injured in that game and missed a significant portion of that game. The Spurs have struggled beating the contenders in the NBA, losing to the Thunder and Rockets twice apiece while losing to these Clippers. The Spurs have never been about making statements to the rest of the league, so don't be surprised if they lose this one also. Just look out for them around March and April entering the playoffs.

1. Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tuesday December 31, 2013 8pm NBATV

The Trail Blazers beat the Thunder at home earlier this season, but the Trail Blazers could use a marquee road win. Most of their marquee games have been at home, and many people expect them to start losing games at some point. This would be a statement win if they could pull it off, despite the fact Russell Westbrook won't be in action for this one.

Five Games To Watch This Week 12/23 - 12/29

Suns' G Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe has surprisingly led the
charge in the team's good play this year.

5. Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday December 27, 2013 10:30pm

The Suns are surprising a lot of people, as they currently sit at 16-10 and as the sixth seed in the deep Western Conference. Jeff Hornacek is certainly the early frontrunner for Coach of the Year, and the backcourt of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe has been surprisingly formidable. The Morris twins have added great punch off the bench as well. Games like this, on the road against a good Warriors team, proves exactly where the Suns are in relation to the rest of the conference.

Former teammates Rockets' G James Harden and Thunder's F Kevin Durant
face each other before the New Year's.

4. Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday December 29, 2013 7pm NBATV

James Harden will return to Chesapeake Energy Arena, where he teamed with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to form a young, explosive trio while a member of the Thunder. This is the first of four matchups between these two teams, who faced each other in the first round of last year's playoffs. The Rockets are much better than last year's team, so this should be a good battle. The Rockets will get Jeremy Lin back soon, but Patrick Beverly's absence will make Westbrook feel a little better.

Rockets' C Dwight Howard and the team got the better
of the Spurs in their first matchup.

3. Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday December 25, 2013 8pm ESPN

This is the best game of the five games that will air on Christmas Day. The other matchups were expected to be great matchups, but unexpected poor play from the Nets, Bulls and Knicks leave the first two games as ordinary games. The Heat and Lakers was expected to be decent, especially considering Kobe Bryant was expected to be back from his Achilles injury at this point. He did come back, but a fractured fibula sidelined him for extended period again. The Warriors haven't played as well as people expected so far, so this is the only game where both teams are living up to expectations. It should be a good one.

Trail Blazers' F LaMarcus Aldridge and Clippers' F Blake Griffin
will do battle in a premier matchup on TNT.

2. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Thursday December 26, 2013 10:30pm TNT

The Trail Blazers will have a couple of tests this week, and this is the second toughest test. They have been excellent, but many people are still convinced the Trail Blazers will hit a wall at some point. They have impressive wins over the Spurs, Thunder, Rockets and Pacers. I'm not sure what more they have to do to prove to the league they are for real. A win here probably won't change the minds of many but it'll be a very entertaining one nonetheless.

The Trail Blazers will be looking to celebrate like this at the conclusion
of their game against the Heat.

1. Miami Heat vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Saturday December 28, 2013 10pm

This could be a preview of the NBA Finals. It's too bad people outside of the Miami and Portland markets won't be able to see this game. This is an excellent measuring stick for the Trail Blazers. Chris Bosh was right when he said statements aren't made in December. However, the Trail Blazers haven't been in this position before. They would like to prove to themselves they can play with the best teams in the league. They have proved it already but they would like to prove it once more.

Five Games To Watch This Week 12/16 - 12/22

G Stephen Curry and the Warriors will look to get on track
when the Spurs come into Oracle Arena.

5. San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
Thursday December 19, 2013 10:30pm TNT

This is the first time the Spurs play in the Oracle Arena since eliminating the Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals last year. The Warriors have been average so far, which probably shows they are missing their prized free-agent acquisition Andre Iguodala. The Spurs will look to get a good road win on their West Coast trip.

Clippers' G Chris Paul and Spurs' G Tony Parker are two
of the best point guards in the NBA.

4. San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Monday December 16, 2013 10:30pm

Don't be surprised if the Clippers win this one. The Clippers are usually impressing the outsiders at this time of the year, but then they stumble in March and April. The Spurs are usually not playing at their best around this time also. Still, both teams would like to win this one. It's still early, but these matchups could eventually end up determining seeding.


Rockets' C Dwight Howard will have his hands full going up
against Pacers' C Roy Hibbert.

3. Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers
Friday December 20, 2013 8pm ESPN

The Rockets average 107 points a game, while the Pacers give up slightly under 90 a game. Someone's unit will have to bend a little, so this matchup is a good one. The Rockets are currently the fifth seed in the West, but expectations for them are higher. If the Rockets can get a win in Indiana, it'll be a win that can carry them from a confidence standpoint through the rest of the season.

G Tony Parker and the Spurs will look to even the score
after the Thunder won the first meeting.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
Saturday December 21, 2013 8:30pm

The Thunder took the first matchup in Oklahoma City, so the Spurs will look to take this one at home. Even though the Trailblazers own the #1 seed, I believe these two teams will be seeing each other in the Western Conference Finals. No one should sleep on the Trailblazers though. Their lack of experience has been discussed, but they know how to play basketball, and that is all that counts. It'll be an interesting race atop the Western Conference, so the Thunder and Spurs want to win this.

F Lebron James and the Heat will look for revenge after losing
to the Pacers in Indianapolis last week.

1. Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat
Wednesday December 18, 2013 7pm ESPN

The Pacers took care of the Heat in Indianapolis, so it's the Heat's turn to take care of business at home. The way the Eastern Conference is looking right now, I think many people will be shocked if these two teams didn't see each other in the Eastern Conference Finals again. The Heat average the most points in the Eastern Conference, while the Pacers give up the fewest points in the NBA. This will be another excellent battle.

Five Games To Watch This Week 12/9 - 12/15

Grizzlies' F Zach Randolph and Thunder's C Kendrick Perkins
get another opportunity to go to war in the paint against each other.

5. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday December 11, 2013 8pm

This is a rematch of last season's Western Conference Semifinals series. The Grizzlies were able to win that series rather easily because Russell Westbrook was out due to injury. This time, the Thunder might be able to win this game easily due to Marc Gasol's injury. Nonetheless, anytime Zach Randolph goes up against Kendrick Perkins, it's must-see television.



The Rockets and G James Harden were able to easily handle
the Warriors last week.

4. Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday December 13, 2013 10:30pm ESPN

These two teams met in Houston, and it was no contest. The Rockets won the game handily, so the Warriors will have revenge on their minds. They haven't played well as of late, most notably falling behind by 27 points at home to the Raptors before making a comeback and winning. For a team as good as the Warriors, it should have never come to that. The Warriors can't afford to not be focused because the Western Conference is stacked. This game is a nice measuring stick.

Mavericks' G Monta Ellis will look to have a great game
against his former team.

3. Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors
Wednesday December 11, 2013 10:30pm ESPN

The Mavericks are currently five games over .500, and they're playing good basketball. They are coming off a road win against the Trailblazers, who are the Western Conference's best team. Monta Ellis has worked well with Dirk Nowitzki, so the Mavericks could be a sleeper team out west. A win in Golden State would be big for them as well.

F LaMarcus Aldridge will look to lead the Trailblazers to victory
against the league's highest scoring team.

2. Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trailblazers
Thursday December 12, 2013 10:30pm TNT

All teams in the Western Conference are chasing the Trailblazers right now, to the surprise of many. This include the Rockets, who are expected to contend for a championship now that they have Dwight Howard to pair with James Harden. Their defense hasn't been as sharp as many people thought it would, but the Rockets are putting up an NBA-high 107.5 points per game. The Trailblazers just so happen to be second in the league, scoring 106.2 points per game. This should have a lot of offense.

In what is already shaping up to be another Eastern Conference
Finals preview, the Heat and Pacers battle for the first time this year.

1. Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
Tuesday December 10, 2013 7pm NBATV

This is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals, which was a thrilling seven-game series. The Pacers have shot out of the gate this season, surprising some by winning 18 of their first 21 games. They look primed to battle against the Heat again for Eastern Conference supremacy. The Heat struggled in Indianapolis in that series, losing two of the three games there. The Pacers are a perfect 9-0 at home. Let's see if the Heat can hand them their first home loss.

NOTE: I mistakenly left the Pacers/Thunder matchup off of last week's list. Sincere apologies!

Five Games To Watch This Week 12/2 - 12/8

The battle for New York supremacy doesn't seem as intriguing as
it was before the start of the season.

5. New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets
Thursday December 5, 2013 7pm TNT

Both of these teams have been unexpectedly horrible, but the Nets have two wins in the past week that could leave them encouraged. The Knicks, on the other hand, are mired in a nine-game losing streak, and they would love to end that streak with a win in Brooklyn. This game is a must-watch because both teams are desperate. They need a win in the worst way.

Rockets' James Harden and Warriors' Klay Thompson will look
to fill up the stat sheet in this battle.

4. Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
Friday December 6, 2013 8pm

Both teams love to shoot the three, so this could be a game with a lot of points. They had interesting battles last season, especially when the Rockets dropped a record number of three pointers in one game last season. The Warriors weren't too happy about that, so let's see if that spills into this game.

Trailblazers' Damian Lillard and the Thunder's Russell Westbrook
will do battle in a game of top teams in the West.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trailblazers
Wednesday December 4, 2013 10pm

The start for the Trailblazers has come as a complete surprise for many observers and even those in the NBA. It'll be interesting if the Trailblazers can keep this up for the duration of the season. They have beaten the Spurs already, so they have shown they can get impressive wins. They have a couple of tough home games this week and this is one of them. A couple of wins this week will definitely turn heads.

Pacers' Roy Hibbert almost became a Trailblazer, but the Pacers
were wise to match Portland's offer sheet.

2. Indiana Pacers vs. Portland Trailblazers
Monday December 2, 2013 10pm

I mentioned the Trailblazers have a couple of tough home games this week. This is the toughest of them all. The Pacers currently own the league's best record, while the Trailblazers are tied with the Spurs for the best record in the Western Conference. So, this could be a preview of the NBA Finals. Does the Trailblazers have what it takes to get that far? Only time will tell, but a win against the Pacers will be great for their confidence.

These two big men could be battling in the NBA Finals as well.

1. Indiana Pacers vs. San Antonio Spurs
Saturday December 7, 2013 8:30pm

Even though the previous game could be a preview of the NBA Finals, this seems like more of an NBA Finals preview. The Trailblazers lack experience, but the court is the same length and the basket is the same height for everyone else, so the Trailblazers could get there. However, I'm not sure they're a better team than the Spurs. The Pacers have to get past the defending champions to have a shot. It's possible, as they took the Miami Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. This game should be a great matchup. Both teams would love to win this game.

Five Games To Watch This Week 11/25 - 12/1

Grizzlies' Marc Gasol will be out indefinitely with an MCL
sprain, so this puts them at a disadvantage in this game.

5. Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Monday November 25, 2013 8pm

After a slow start to the season, the Grizzlies have begun to pick things up just a little. However, Marc Gasol is now out indefinitely so he will not suit up for this one. The Grizzlies could definitely use him against Dwight Howard. Now, they'll have to rely on some of the other bigs like Zach Randolph and Kosta Koufos. Depending on how the Grizzlies weather the storm with Gasol out, these two teams could be battling for supremacy in the Southwest Division and Western Conference.

Rockets' Dwight Howard and Spurs' Tim Duncan will
face off for the first time this season.

4. Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs
Saturday November 30, 2013 8:30pm

This will be the first time the Rockets face the Spurs this season. While the Rockets and Spurs have had some good battles over the years, the Spurs has been the team with the most success in this Texas rivalry. The acquisition of Dwight Howard makes the Rockets a contender out West, but they haven't locked in defensively like people expected. They're giving up over 105 points a game, which is second worst in the league. Both offenses are pretty potent, so this will be a show.

Warriors' Andre Iguodala hit the game-winner in the first meeting
in Oakland. The Thunder will be looking for revenge.

3. Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Friday November 29, 2013 8pm NBATV

When these two played in Oakland roughly two weeks ago, it was a very entertaining one which was won at the buzzer by Andre Iguodala. Iguodala is now suffering from a hamstring injury that has him out indefinitely, so who knows when he'll return. This game will still come down to what Stephen Curry and David Lee can provide. Klay Thompson is also very important, so if he's shooting the ball well, they can upset the Thunder. This also could be a playoff preview.

If you don't want to watch football this Sunday, catch this
entertaining matchup between two title contenders.

2. Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Sunday December 1, 2013 3:30pm

The Pacers are rolling, winning 12 of their first 13 games to start the season. The Clippers are sitting at 10-5, so they're off to a good start as well. Some people believe the Clippers have what it takes to reach the NBA Finals. The Pacers, with the best record in the Eastern Conference, also has what it takes to get to the NBA Finals. This could be an NBA Finals preview. Therefore, this should be a good one.

These two teams are the two best in the Western Confernce,
so expect to see them in the Western Conference Finals again.

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Wednesday November 27, 2013 8pm

If it weren't for the injury to Russell Westbrook in the first round of last year's playoffs, these two teams probably would've seen each other for the second consecutive year in the Western Conference Finals. While many people believe the Rockets, Clippers and Warriors can challenge for the Western Conference crown, these two teams are still the best two teams in the conference until further notice. I expect these two teams to be back in the Western Conference Finals in May.

Five Games To Watch This Week 11/18 - 11/24

 

Last time these two teams met, Pacers' Roy Hibbert
was sending Knicks' Carmelo Anthony's dunk back.

5. Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks
Wednesday November 20, 2013 7pm ESPN

This game is only on the list because this is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series. Sure, there are other rematches from last year's playoffs, but these two teams are headed in opposite directions. The Pacers just suffered their first defeat, but they have been playing excellent basketball. On the other hand, the Knicks have looked like the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. They have been unable to win at home, and this should be a game the Knicks wake up for.

Hawks' head coach Mike Budenholzer has the Hawks a
game behind the Heat in the division early in the season.

4. Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat
Tuesday November 19, 2013 7:30pm

No one seems to know who the Hawks have on their team, but they are playing good basketball and they're just a game behind the Heat in the Southeast Division. While Josh Smith has departed, Paul Millsap seems to be the better fit for the front line. Mike Budenholzer has the Hawks spreading the floor and rotating around the perimeter, just like Gregg Popovich does with his Spurs. Don't be surprised if the Hawks pull off an early season upset.

Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers have been an early
season surprise.

3. Portland Trailblazers vs. Golden State Warriors
Saturday November 23, 2013 10:30pm

No one is talking about the Trailblazers, but they have the second best record in the Western Conference behind the Spurs. They're also the team that has handed the Spurs their only loss. LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging just over 22 a game while pulling down nine boards. Currently on a six-game winning streak, the Trailblazers will have to complete their East trip and play the Bulls at home before facing the Warriors. This could be a very entertaining game.

Timberwolves' Kevin Love and Rockets' James Harden
figures to provide scoring punch in this matchup.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets
Saturday November 23, 2013 8pm

The Timberwolves play the Clippers at home where they'll look for revenge. However, we haven't seen the Timberwolves' offense against the Rockets' offense yet. This should be entertaining, as both teams shoot the ball well from the outside. Ricky Rubio will be playing the pick and roll game with Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic, while looking to get Kevin Martin opportunities from the outside. The Rockets will look to push the tempo and get Dwight Howard good looks in the paint while feasting from the outside with James Harden, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin. This should be high scoring.



Thunder's Serge Ibaka and Clippers' Matt Barnes were ejected
from this game last week.

1. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Thursday November 21, 2013 8pm TNT

Serge Ibaka and Blake Griffin continued their little beef when these two met up last week in Los Angeles, and it got Matt Barnes tossed after he defended his teammate. With Barnes, Griffin and Ibaka on the floor together again for this one, it's a must-see. Ibaka and Griffin will probably get tangled up again. Just don't expect Barnes to jump in this time. He's apparently tired of getting fined for it.

Five Games To Watch This Week 11/11 - 11/17

Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and the Bulls will look for revenge
after losing big in Indiana.

5. Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls
Saturday November 16, 2013 8pm

These two already played one in Indianapolis, and the Pacers were able to run away with the game in the second half. Tom Thibodeau will look at the game tape and have things figured out by the time the Pacers come into the United Center for this one. Derrick Rose has struggled in the team's first five games, so he'll need to get going soon if the Bulls want to contend for a championship this season.

Kevin Love and the Timberwolves are off to a surprisingly fast
start.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Monday November 11, 2013 10:30pm

The Timberwolves are starting to put things together now that Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love are healthy at the same time. Rubio had his ACL injury two seasons ago, and Love missed a significant amount of games to injury last season. The addition of Kevin Martin this offseason is an underrated move so far that has worked very well. The Timberwolves were toward the bottom in perimeter shooting last season. So far this year, they're toward the top thanks to Martin's shooting. This is a nice early season test. Remember, the Timberwolves have played well against the Clippers in the past.

Russell Westbrook and the Thunder will look to knock off
a Western Conference contender on the road.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Wednesday November 13, 2013 10:30pm ESPN

With Russell Westbrook back, the Thunder are whole. We now get to see if the Thunder will be able to get back to the top of the Western Conference. Right now, the top two teams are the Spurs and Thunder. It's been that way the past two seasons. The Clippers have all of these expectations so this is a test for them as well. Westbrook against Chris Paul is always a good one as well.

Stephen Curry and the Warriors will try to make a statement
against the Thunder.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors
Thursday November 14, 2013 10:30pm TNT

The Warriors got Stephen Curry back, but that didn't help things as the Warriors were routed by the Grizzlies. Still, the Warriors are expected to be an improved team from last season. Playing against a healthy Thunder team should make Mark Jackson aware of where his team is and where they need to be going forward. For the Thunder, these are two tough games on back-to-back nights.

Doc Rivers will go up against Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett for
the first time since all three left the Celtics in the offseason.

1. Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Saturday November 16, 2013 10:30pm NBATV

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce could've been with the Clippers with Doc Rivers. The league didn't allow it, so now Garnett and Pierce are with the Nets. This will be the first time Rivers meets up with Garnett and Pierce. The Nets have their own issues, however, as they're stuck in the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with their crosstown rivals Knicks. The Clippers have been mediocre, but two wins against the Rockets have been impressive.

Five Games To Watch This Week 11/4 - 11/10

Rockets' James Harden and Dwight Howard look to be a very
good match early on.

5. Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Monday November 4, 2013 10:30pm NBATV

These two teams will play again on Saturday in Houston, but this will be the first meeting between the two teams. Both teams are expected to be title contenders in the Western Conference. For the Rockets, this will be their first big test of the season. They have gotten off to a good start so far. What should be noted is Dwight Howard will return to the Staples Center in this one.

The front line of both teams will determine their success in this
game and this season.

4. Indiana Pacers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Saturday November 9, 2013 7:30pm NBATV

These two are expected to be title contenders in the Eastern Conference, so this game will be a must-watch. Both teams have big front lines, so we'll have to see who's front line can play better. Last season, the Nets got the better of the Pacers in their head-to-head matchups in the regular season. It'll be a big win for the Pacers if they can win in Brooklyn.

Bulls' Derrick Rose will get his first taste of divisional basketball
since 2012 when they face the Pacers.

3. Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers
Wednesday November 6, 2013 7pm ESPN

These teams will probably be fighting for supremacy in the Central division. The home team won all four matchups last season, but there's a little animosity between the two that should not go overlooked. After a Pacers win in the United Center in the lockout-shortened 2012 season, Joakim Noah said he heard a lot of celebrating in that Pacers' locker room, which he took exception to. That may be forgotten from both teams, but look for a great battle between two great defensive teams.

There figures to be a lot of alley-oops in this game between these
two athletic teams.

2. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Miami Heat
Thursday November 7, 2013 7pm TNT

The Clippers have a lot of early tough matchups, and this is simply one of them. One thing that should be noted is that Doc Rivers will be coaching against the Heat. He's done so with the Celtics for years and those Celtics teams did not like the Heat at all. The Heat denied Rivers another opportunity to go back to the NBA Finals when they lost Game 7 in Miami back in the lockout-shortened 2012 season. Rivers will only see them twice a year, but he'll probably be giving his team a nice pep talk.

After a great Western Conference Semifinals series last year, these
two will play against each other for the first time since then.

1. Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs
Friday November 8, 2013 8:30pm

Many people may disagree, but this is the must-watch game of the week. These two teams probably had the best Conference Semifinals matchup. It was truly a tale of two series as the Warriors looked very dominant early in the series. The Spurs, however, flipped a switch and dominated late in the series to take it in six. With the acquisition of Andre Iguodala, the matchup between these two just figures to get better. The Spurs have remained the favorites by some, and the Warriors might have something to say about that. Too bad this game is only on local television.

Five Games To Watch This Week 10/29 - 11/3

It was all smiles for the Spurs in last year's Western Conference
Finals after sweeping the Grizzlies.

5. Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday October 30, 2013 8:30pm

As hard it may sound, there are some people who may have forgotten these two teams faced each other in last year's Western Conference Finals. There were many experts against the Spurs, citing their first round loss to the Grizzlies in the 2011 postseason. That was 2011, and they were foolish for believing the Grizzlies were close to competing with the Spurs. The Grizzlies now have Dave Joerger as their head coach. It's also hard to believe Lionel Hollins isn't coaching anywhere.

Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks were swept by
the Bulls last year.

4. New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls
Thursday October 31, 2013 8pm TNT

Charles Barkley was a guest on the halftime show of ESPN's Monday Night Football, and when asked by Chris Berman who the top teams in the Eastern Conference were, Barkley said the Heat, Nets and Pacers. He proceeded to say the Bulls and the Knicks were right behind those initial three teams. Well, the Bulls and the Knicks are out to prove they can be a top seed, and the Knicks get an early road test. The Bulls can make a huge statement with a win in their first two games. Also, keep in mind, the Bulls swept the Knicks in the regular season last year. The Knicks should be hungry.

Warriors and Clippers are looking to become championship
contenders this season and in the West.

3. Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Thursday October 31, 2013 10:30pm TNT

These two teams were good last season, but the improvements made during the offseason have put these two teams in discussion for Western Conference title contenders. The Warriors addition of Andre Iguodala probably leaves some doubt in the head of Harrison Barnes, but it's a nice addition to a team who's looking to get even better on defense. All eyes will be on the Clippers because of the addition of Doc Rivers, J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley. Still, they'll be looking for improvement from Blake Griffin.

Paul Pierce and the Nets will take on Lebron James and the
defending champions in an early season exciting one.

2. Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets
Friday November 1, 2013 8pm ESPN

The Heat are coming in with the usual championship expectations. After all, they are the two-time defending champions. The Nets are coming in with lofty expectations after the additions of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry. Comments made by Lebron James about a week ago makes this intriguing as well. James couldn't figure out how Garnett and Pierce left the Celtics without criticism, while Ray Allen was criticized heavily. This could be intense. Also, Jason Kidd will be serving the second game of his two-game suspension, so we still won't see him on the bench.

Derrick Rose returns to the court for the first time since the 2012
postseason.

1. Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
Tuesday October 29, 2013 8pm TNT

This is a solid game to kick off the new season. Derrick Rose's return to action makes this game the best game of the week. Lebron James told reporters both teams don't like each other. He's probably just trying to create a rivalry. Can you imagine James not liking someone? I couldn't. It's all chatter to hype up the game, but it's a great one without all of the build-up and hype. All eyes will be on Rose in this one.