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!