NBA Games of the Week

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 17, 2008

NBA Games of the Week

Cavaliers at Nets | Tues., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET

The on-court action will be overwhelmed by everybody's favorite parlor game: Will LeBron James sign with the Nets in 2010? Never mind that his first crack at free agency is two summers away, or that one of the Nets' big selling points -- a potential move to Brooklyn -- is in serious jeopardy; James still figures to be bombarded with questions about his long-term plans and relationship with buddy (and New Jersey minority owner) Jay-Z.

Bulls at Trail Blazers | Wed., Nov. 19, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The No. 1 picks in the last two NBA drafts will be on display in front of a national television audience. Chicago point guard Derrick Rose (2008) has been as impressive as any rookie so far, while Portland center Greg Oden (2007) is settling in after missing six games with a sprained foot.

Pistons at Celtics | Thurs., Nov. 20., 8 p.m. ET (TNT)

Boston throttled Detroit 88-76 in Allen Iverson's home debut with Detroit on Nov. 9, a game in which the Answer shot 4-of-11 from the field and backcourt mate Rip Hamilton was 0-for-8. The rematch comes one night after the Pistons face another tough test, a home game against Cleveland.

Lakers at Suns | Thurs., Nov. 20, 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

The Western Conference rivals play four times this season. Guess how many of those games are scheduled for national television? Shaq and Kobe can move the needle a little bit.

Clippers at 76ers | Fri., Nov. 21, 7 p.m. ET

Elton Brand's offseason divorce from the Clippers was messy: L.A. coach Mike Dunleavy blamed the power forward's agent, David Falk, for backpedaling from a tentative contract agreement, while Falk ripped the organization for a "flawed" negotiation process. The end result was that Brand wound up in Philadelphia, where the 76ers are perking up after a 2-5 start, while the Clippers are struggling badly despite the additions of Baron Davis and Marcus Camby.

Celtics at Timberwolves | Fri., Nov. 21, 8 p.m. ET

Kevin Garnett plays his old team at Minnesota for the first time, having sat out Boston's visit to the Twin Cities last season because of an abdominal strain. Garnett spent his first 12 seasons with the Timberwolves, the most of any active player with one team before he was traded in July 2007.

Rockets at Magic | Sat., Nov. 22, 7 p.m. ET

Tracy McGrady returns to Orlando for his annual visit, but the real intrigue here is the matchup at center between Dwight Howard and Yao Ming. Howard has averaged only 12.8 points (on 45.3 percent shooting) in eight career matchups against the Rockets.