The last full week before the trade deadline features a series of fun non-conference games featuring playoff teams, including Minnesota at Toronto in the Game of the Week.
Monday
Hornets at Pacers, 7 p.m.: Charlotte needs to pick up some big road wins if they want to get back in the playoff chase, but the Pacers have returned to form after getting Victor Oladipo back from injury. Dwight Howard and Domantas Sabonis approach the center position very differently and will challenge each other.
76ers at Bucks, 8 p.m.: Two fascinating young teams with plenty of star power in a game made more significant after Jason Kidd’s firing last week. The Sixers complete a tough back-to-back by traveling to Milwaukee but the Bucks will be on the tail end of their own back-to-back after beating the Bulls on Sunday.
Heat at Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.: Miami and Dallas are the teams that have over and underperformed their point differential by the largest margins, mostly due to their vastly different success in clutch situations. Dennis Smith Jr. has shown some flashes in the first half of his rookie season but the Heat have a series of defenders to throw at him.
Tuesday
Thunder at Wizards, 7 p.m.: This one may not have the intensity of their matchup last week when Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal both scored 40+ but should be a lot of fun. This will also be a good measuring stick for how the Thunder will look without Andre Roberson as he played 23 minutes in OKC’s home win.
Timberwolves at Raptors, 7:30 p.m. (Game of the Week): Another strangely quick non-conference rematch as these teams played less than two weeks ago and the Timberwolves came out on top. That win was even more impressive for Minnesota because Jimmy Butler was out and he should be available here after returning against the Nets.
Nuggets at Spurs, 8:30 p.m.: Dejounte Murray’s promotion to the starting lineup means he will square off against fellow sophomore Jamal Murray, which will test Murray’s defensive chops. Of course, Nikola Jokic battling the San Antonio big men will be significant as well.
Wednesday
Heat at Cavs, 7:30 p.m.: Beyond all of the personal history between individuals involved, Miami has a series of forwards to throw at LeBron James and the different possibilities as the center position adds another dimension to this game and a potential playoff series.
76ers at Nets, 7:30 p.m.: There have been some seriously fun and competitive Nets home games this season and this one has the potential to follow that pattern. The 76ers have been one of the league’s best teams in January but need to take care of the ball since they should be able to contain Brooklyn in halfcourt defense.
Bulls at Trail Blazers, 10 p.m.: Nikola Mirotic has been linked to the Blazers for a little while now and will have the opportunity to make an impression on the team just over a week before the deadline. It would be great if Kris Dunn can make it back by this point because he would challenge Damian Lillard more than Chicago’s other point guards.
Thursday
Raptors at Wizards, 7 p.m.: Depending on which Wizards team we see here, this could be a serious Game of the Week contender. These teams split their first two matchups, both during November in Toronto, but the Wizards have struggled to find consistency in January, partially due to John Wall’s knee issues.
Bucks at Timberwolves, 8 p.m.: This could very well be a better game than its TNT counterpart (Rockets/Spurs) and has the additional cachet of being a twice a season matchup. Giannis and Towns sharing the floor is always special and Tom Thibodeau will have to decide who to put on Antetokounmpo, which has spillover effects throughout Minnesota’s defense.
Friday
Trail Blazers at Raptors, 7:30 p.m.: Lillard and McCollum vs. Lowry and McCollum will be big but both teams need strong performances from their forwards to get an advantage. If the game has crunch time, Dwane Casey will have to decide whether he wants to stay big or go small even with Jusuf Nurkic on the floor.
Knicks at Bucks, 8 p.m.: Porzingis and Giannis should be all the justification anyone needs.
Pelicans at Thunder, 9 p.m.: A week after losing DeMarcus Cousins for the season, New Orleans will presumably rely on Anthony Davis at center and that could produce some advantages against Steven Adams and the Thunder. Presumably new fifth starter Dante Cunningham will be guarding Carmelo Anthony.
Saturday
Bulls at Clippers, 3:30 p.m.: Early afternoon games make NBA weekends substantially more fun and this one features Lauri Markkanen’s first game against Blake Griffin and the Clippers.
76ers at Pacers, 7 p.m.: Philadelphia’s defensive strength is rooted in their frontcourt but they will need someone to slow down All-Star Victor Oladipo, who is still in the midst of a remarkable breakout season. The Pacers face their own difficult decision of how to handle Ben Simmons without a clear-cut forward stopper available.
Pelicans at Timberwolves, 9 p.m.: This becomes Davis vs. Towns for extended periods as neither team will be comfortable having their other big men defending the opposing superstar. At the same time, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins will need to press their advantage on the perimeter to give Minnesota their best chance to win.
Warriors at Nuggets, 9 p.m.: A little over a year ago, Denver tied the NBA record for most threes in a game with 24 as they shockingly routed the eventual champions. That and the Nuggets’ win at Oracle earlier this season gives the Warriors some extra motivation on the tail end of a road back-to-back.
Sunday
Trail Blazers at Celtics, 12 p.m.: One last fun inter-conference game for the week, this one featuring another high-profile point guard duel. Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving could light it up against one another in a fun matinee.
Bucks at Nets, 12 p.m.: Not the Kidd reunion it could have been but compelling all the same, especially if D’Angelo Russell looks healthier as he recovers from knee surgery.
Hornets at Suns, 3 p.m.: The last game of an early Sunday slate could be a showcase game for Kemba Walker less than a week before the deadline, though it sounds like the Charlotte front office is looking to keep him around.