Monday, November 8th: Celtics @ Mavericks, 8:30 ET, CSNE FSSW
I would go with Atlanta at Orlando here, but after what happened in the playoffs last season I’m not about to call that matchup a “game to watch” until ATL proves to me that they can actually compete. So Boston at Dallas it is. The Celtics have won five in a row, but are coming off a game last night against the Thunder. Dallas may look to push the tempo on the old guys and try to wear them down. As for individual matchups there’s a couple good ones: Jason Kidd vs. Rajon Rondo at the point, and Dirk Nowitzki vs. KG, two of the best 7 foot shooters to ever pick up a basketball. This should be a good one. Boston’s bench has been playing very well lately, they may have to perform well again in order for the Cs to win this one.
Tuesday, November 9th: Knicks @ Bucks, 8:00 ET, MSG FSWI
There’s a pretty poor selection on this particular day. If Utah was playing at home I’d go with the Jazz/Heat game, but it’s in Miami and things tend to get really ugly for the Jazz on the road. I’m going with New York at Milwaukee because at least there’s the fast pace of the Knicks and some exciting players on the Bucks to provide some entertainment value. Brandon Jennings always has the potential to have an explosive night offensively, and hopefully Amare Stoudemire and Andrew Bogut will have a few meetings at the rim.
Wednesday, November 10th: Warriors @ Knicks, 7:30 ET, MSG CSBA
Do I even have to explain this choice? Run-and-gun basketball is entertaining basketball. This might be the best run-and-gun matcup the league has to offer, so you best believe I’m going to watch it. To make things slightly more interesting, this will be David Lee’s return to the Garden. He’s got a tough matchup with Amare Stoudemire, and I’m sure he’ll want to play well to remind the Knicks of what they’re missing out on. Amare will probably also want to play well to show that the Knicks found an even better option at PF.
Thursday, November 11th: Celtics @ Heat, 8:00 ET, TNT
Miami gets their first chance at revenge after their ugly loss on opening night, which as you may recall, resulted in the internet NBA world going apeshit. I’m sure this game will also cause overreactions galore, no matter how things go down. Shaq is currently out indefinitely with an injury, but if he hasn’t returned yet I imagine he’ll be back for this one. This game should be a whole lot more entertaining than the one on opening night. The Heat have had some time to develope a little chemistry, all the first game jitters are out of the way, and everyone’s back in game shape. Both teams should execute more smoothly, and with all the talent that’s going to be on the floor it could turn out to be quite a spectacle.
Friday, November 12th: Blazers @ Thunder, 8:30 ET, ESPN
I’m going with this matchup for the second week in a row, the only difference being that the game’s in OKC this time. It required overtime for the Thunder to take the win last week, and I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be another close game this time around. I’m sure Portland’s guys will still have the tough loss fresh in their minds and will be ready to leave it all on the floor.
Saturday, November 13th: Wizards @ Bulls, 8:00 ET, CSW WGN
Most of the other options are really good teams playing not-so-good teams, so I’m taking the intriguing indivual matchup here: John Wall vs. Derrick Rose, two of the fastest people I have ever seen with a basketball in their hands. Both players have struggled with turning the ball over early in the season, but other than that they’ve each been spectacular.
Sunday, November 14th: Spurs @ Thunder, 7:00 ET, FSSW FSOK
You may never catch me putting a Spurs game on this list again all season. They bore me to death, and I’m simply not a big fan of theirs, so watching them beat the crap out of all my favorite teams year after year has become frustrating. I went with this game because it’s really the only option. Unfortunately Suns/Lakers games are no longer must-see TV. I miss the 2006 playoffs.
