Watchability Rankings: Best NBA games for week ending in March 20
SI.com's Watchability Rankings will give you the lowdown on the must-see games for the week ahead. Here are the top five games to watch for the week ending March 20. All stats and records through March 11.
The Golden State Warriors are one game ahead of the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls through 63 games and Stephen Curry is still making deep three-pointers with ease and regularity. This past week's slate of games included Russell Westbrook posting a 25–20–11 triple double as the Thunder took down the Clippers, while the Memphis Grizzlies' "Hateful Eight" picked up a road win in Cleveland.
Some of the league's best teams will play each other next week, as Golden State travels to San Antonio, Oklahoma City looks for revenge against Indiana, and the Clippers face the Cavaliers and Spurs. Here are the top five games to watch next week.
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Sunday, March 13: L.A. Clippers vs. Cleveland
The Cavaliers won the first meeting between these two teams with a 115–102 victory in Cleveland. After suffering three losses in four games, Cleveland has since won five of six while L.A. is in pursuit of third-place Oklahoma City. Sunday provides an opportunity for the Clippers to get a big win before a five-game road trip that includes games against four playoff teams in the Western Conference.
Monday, March 14: Oklahoma City vs. Portland
The top two teams in the Western Conference's Northwest Division square off in Oklahoma City. Each team won on its home floor in their previous two games this season, and the Thunder will put one of the league's best home records on the line against the Trail Blazers. If the season ended today, Oklahoma City and Portland would meet in the first round of the playoffs.
Tuesday, March 15: San Antonio vs. L.A. Clippers
The Spurs and Clippers—two of the top four teams in the West—will meet for the third and final time of the regular season. Each team won at home previously, with the Clippers defeating the Spurs 105–86 in the Staples Center on Feb. 18. Fourteen of San Antonio's final 18 games are against teams currently on track to make the playoffs, including seven remaining games against the Warriors, Thunder and Clippers.
Saturday, March 19: Indiana vs. Oklahoma City
When Indiana traveled to Oklahoma City for a game on Feb. 19, the Pacers came from behind to beat the Thunder 101–98 after Russell Westbrook's game-tying three-point attempt at the buzzer was no good. It was Oklahoma City's first of four losses in a five-game span, and the Thunder will finally get a shot at revenge in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Saturday, March 19: San Antonio vs. Golden State
San Antonio and Golden State are the only teams that have clinched an NBA berth (CONFIRM AFTER THURSDAY), thanks to their combined 112–16 record. The Spurs will try to extend their perfect home record against the best team in the league in Saturday's primetime game.
