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.