Atlanta and Boston hook up for the first time since their surprisingly close first-round series in last season's playoffs. The Hawks entered the week at 5-0, including an impressive victory at New Orleans.
This very well could be a seven-game series in late May, but for now it's an intriguing early-season matchup involving last season's MVP (Kobe Bryant) and the second-place finisher (Chris Paul). Kobe is sure to see plenty of Hornets newcomer James Posey, who helped keep Bryant in check during the 2008 NBA Finals as a defensive stopper for the Celtics.
LeBron James probably hasn't forgotten that Carmelo Anthony and Denver whipped the Cavs by 30 points last season in Cleveland. James also figures to know that he's 2-8 in matchups against Anthony in their five NBA seasons.
Many have compared No. 1 pick Derrick Rose to future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd. The two square off here in Chicago, only a few weeks after Rose torched Kidd and the Mavs for 30 points in a preseason game.
New Pistons guard Allen Iverson brings additional star power to this matchup as Detroit makes it third stop on a four-game West Coast trip in Los Angeles.
Point guard Baron Davis faces the Warriors for the first time since leaving as a free agent in the offseason. The Clippers opened the season with six consecutive losses before beating the Mavericks.
By the end of this night, we'll have a good early-season read on how new Rocket Ron Artest is meshing with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. That's because this meeting against a strong New Orleans team caps a four-game stretch in which Houston also will play games at the Lakers, Phoenix and San Antonio.