NBA Games of the Week

Hawks at Celtics | Wed., Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. ET

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.

Lakers at Hornets | Wed, Nov. 12, 8 p.m. ET

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.

Nuggets at Cavs | Thurs., Nov. 13, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)

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.

Mavericks at Bulls | Thurs., Nov. 13, 9:30 p.m. ET

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.

Pistons at Lakers | Fri., Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. ET

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.

Warriors at Clippers | Sat., Nov. 15, 3:30 p.m. ET

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.

Hornets at Rockets | Sat., Nov. 15, 8:30 p.m. ET

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.