This week is just a march to the big game. Bide your time with roundball.
Monday: Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors (4:00 PM on League Pass)
I don’t get the Warriors. First they have an epic week, beating the Clippers and the Thunder in decisive fashion, and get an All Star for the first time since 1997. But then they take to the road, drop one big to the Bulls, then another to the Bucks (and former franchise player Monta Ellis). Granted, the Bulls and Bucks are pretty solid teams (and the Bulls are probably more than just solid, what with their 4th ranked defense and amazing rebounding prowess), but c’mon guys. Don’t be so polar. Anyways, I’m feeling pretty good about this roadie against the Raptors, who are just fighting to keep their fans from jumping ship and going to Maple Leafs games instead.
Tuesday: New Orleans Hornets at LA Lakers (7:30 PM PST on League Pass)
Despite “boasting” a 19-25 record, the Lakers are still getting bandied about as a potential 8th seed, especially after they stepped up and defeated Oklahoma City this past weekend. At the very least, they are starting to look a bit more like a cohesive unit now that Kobe has stopped shooting as much. For all their deficiencies that won’t really change – like their age, lack of intensity, mismatched personnel, and lingering injuries – they still have the ability to put lots of points on the board, and can play some timely defense. They need to start beating the teams that can push them to get a little nasty, and show a little swagger, especially on their own court. This game against the Hornets – one of the better teams since the start of 2013, but coming down to Earth again – is a perfect candidate.
Wednesday: Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers (4:00 PM PST)
I’m not quite ready to start talking about Rajon Rondo’s knee injury directly yet, so I’ll just say that if any team stands to benefit from the presumed downfall and dismantling of the Celtics (something that I don’t think is terribly likely, given the general untradeability of KG and Pierce’s contracts, as well as the Celtics history of overcoming considerable challenges in the second half of the season) it’s the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers have done a decent job hanging around in the flaccid Eastern Conference, remaining within sniffing distance of the 8th seed. They’ve got a new All Star in their locker room (the highly deserving Jrue Holiday, who honestly was the best point guard in the East) and a fairly talented roster of young athletes. There’s been no sign of rebellion under Doug Collins, and there’s still a chance that Andrew Bynum guy may come back. Truth be told, their job is pretty similar to the Lakers: win the games you’re supposed to at home, against the teams that will push you a bit with their intensity and energy. The Wizards, who have a second half goal of playing .500 basketball (and they are 6-3 since John Wall’s return), are one of these teams.
Thursday: Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder (6:00 PM PST on League Pass)
I’m just gonna say it: there’s something sorta weird going on in Memphis. Maybe you all have noticed it as well. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but things aren’t really what they seem there. Yes, there’s been a lot of upheaval recently – the sale of the team, a number of new faces in the front office, a bevy of trade rumors involving core players, and a recent salary cap clearing trade that robbed them of some of their precious depth – but there seems to be something deeper and foreboding about Memphis. They’ve lost a number of games by double digits recently to some pretty subpar teams. They have the feeling of the Blazers of last season, who seemed to play disinterested .500 ball (5-5 in last 10) while the front office worked out culture-changing trades to alter the course of the franchise behind barely closed doors. If the Grizz lose this game big to the Thunder, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some fairly dramatic changes. Aye, there’s something rotten in the state of Elvis.
Friday: Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers (5:00 PM PST on ESPN)
Last year when these teams faced each other in the playoffs, I described their clash as a battle between Superteam and Draft and Develop, the two prevailing models of team building in the NBA. Both of these teams have stayed close to their roots this season, continuing to invest in the methods that have provided success to both franchises. The Heat continue to make effective use of their non-Big-3 guys like Ray Allen and Shane Battier, high paid veterans who are among the best at the things that they do. The Pacers have invested time and money in the guys they drafted like Lance Stephenson, Roy Hibbert and Paul George (a first time All Star this season). The result? The first and fifth seeds in the East respectively, both with either a top five offense (Heat) or defense (Pacers). This should be a good one.
Saturday: Sacramento Kings at New York Knicks (4:30 PM PST on League Pass)
A few Friday nights ago, losers who’d rather stay in and watch basketball rather than go out and be social were treated to one of the games of the year; a slugfest between the visiting New York Knickerbockers and the hometown Sacramento Kings. The Kings built up a big lead before New York came all the way back on the backs of Ray Felton and J.R. Smith. J.R. hit a big jumper to pull ahead in the final seconds, and the Kings had only one more chance to save face. A 12 second, ugly-as-hell broken from the start play culminated in a desperation three by James Johnson, and concluded with the biggest game winner for the Kingssince Reke hit that half-court shot a few seasons back. Now it’s the rematch, and methinks the Knicks will be out for some measure of revenge.
Sunday: Super Bowl XLVII: 49ers vs Ravens (3:00 PM PST on CBS)
Sure, there’s some basketball on today. But you’re not gonna watch it, are you? No, I didn’t think so. Just remember these things for the Big Game: “Harbowl” is a stupid name, Ray Lewis killed a dude, and you’d be a chump if you didn’t go for the Niners. Who’s got it better than us? Enjoy Super Bowl Sunday, the strangest of the informal American holidays. 7 Layer Dip is key.