My New Year’s resolution is to put the chocolate syrup on a spoon, and not just suck it straight from the bottle anymore. Setting the bar high for 2013.
Monday: Charlotte Bobcats at Chicago Bulls (12:00 noon PST on League Pass)
Bob’s head coach Mike Dunlap on ending their 18 game win streak: “eventually we are our own solution.” As deep as it is troubling.
Tuesday: Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons (4:30 PST on League Pass)
Start 2013 with this matchup between bottom-feeders in a half empty arena. I’m interested in this game chiefly due to the latest Boogie Cousins trade rumors which link him to Detroit. Assumedly Boogie would cost the Pistons either Greg Monroe or Dre Drummond, their own young talented big men. I’m not too jazzed about DMC going to another virus-riddled franchise, but I’m a fan of blockbuster transactions. I will be watching this game on my laptop with ESPN’s trade machine up in separate browser window.
Wednesday: Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors (7:30 PM PST on League Pass)
Again, forgive my homerism here: this is the surprise game of the year. Who thought the Clips were going to look like the favorites to win the West? And who thought the Warriors would be the best rebounding team in the NBA, and hold opponents to the fifth lowest field goal shooting percentage in the league? Not too many folks, that’s for sure. The Clippers are the only team the Dubs are playing this week, and, to a certain extent, are the toughest team they’ll play for the next few weeks. It’s great to have relevant ball back in the Bay.
Thursday: San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks (4:30 PM PST on TNT)
Well, it’s the Spurs, and it’s national television, so who knows what Pop’s going to do. I hope he allows his guys to play because, damn, this’ll be a helluva game. My new fascination: Chris Copeland, the 28 year old rookie who just pours it in when Melo doesn’t play. To me, he’s got “5th best player on a decent team” potential; he’s lanky, can get the ball in the hoop, and has been just as competent on team D as anyone. Give him a look if he gets some extended run during this game.
Friday: Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers (7:30 PM PST on ESPN)
I really don’t have to set this up too much. It’s the Battle for LA, and it matters. Kobe was quoted today saying that this was “the best Clippers team he’s ever seen.” No shit, Kobe. This is the best Clippers team any of us have seen.
Saturday: Portland Trailblazers at Minnesota Timberwolves (5:00 PM PST on League Pass)
Don’t look now, but the Blazers have gotten themselves back into the playoff picture, thanks to a 7-3 record over their last ten games. We will say it as many times as we need to: Dame Lillard is amazing, posting rookie numbers that have only be posted by Oscar Robertson, Allen Iverson, and…Damon Stoudamire. Hey, Mighty Mouse was pretty decent during his rookie season. Anyways, this should be a good slug-fest between two scrappy low playoff seeds out west. While most will tune in to see LA go up against K-Love, I’m actually more excited to see Nikola Pekovic and J.J. Hickson, who both have had quality seasons, come to near blows.
Sunday: Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors (10:00 AM PST on League Pass)
Here’s a reason to watch the full-speed-to-extinction Toronto Raptors: they are 3-2 in Hangover Games at the Air Canada Centre, with the only losses being a 116-112 2OT classic against the Spurs, and a 103-82 blowout to the Clips (who have been beating everyone lately). We can only hope they give the Thunder everything they can handle.