This week in the NBA there are some fun matchups, and a big matchup in the Bay Area.
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers
With the Celtics at 34-13 and the Clippers at 23-23, this game does not come off as a big headline game between two top teams.
After the the separation of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, the Celtics are determined to get the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs. Irving wants the home court advantage throughout the playoffs to help him defeat James.
Irving has been on a tear this year averaging 24.5 points a game. Expect that to continue, but with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers are no cakewalk in Los Angeles. This could be a highly competitive game. This game airs Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
The Timberwolves (31-18) are currently third in the Western Conference, and the Warriors (37-10) are currently first in the Western Conference, which makes this a top-3 matchup.
Minnesota is seven games back from the Warriors and hopes to make up some ground as we near the All-Star Break. More importantly for the Timberwolves, the San Antonio Spurs are just a half game behind them as the No. 4 seed.
A win in Oracle Arena would do wonders for the Timberwolves, but it will be very tough as the Warriors continue to cruise through the Western Conference. This game will air Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans
The Rockets (33-12) will face off against the Pelicans (25-21) this week. This game should be an interesting matchup as the Rockets are currently No. 2 seed, three games behind the Warriors. The Pelicans are currently sitting at No. 6.
On their home court against a top quality team in the Rockets, this is a big game for the Pelicans, as the Western Conference race is very close. This game will air Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
This game is the headline NBA game of the week, with the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference against No.1 seed in the Western Conference. Irving vs. Kevin Durant, or maybe it should be Irving vs. Stephen Curry.
The Warriors are the team to beat in the NBA. James called them “that juggernaut out west” in a postgame interview after clinching the Eastern Conference last year.
This will be an entertaining and compelling matchup. The Celtics won the first game of the series between these teams 92-88 on their own home court. Can Kyrie go into Oracle Arena and lead his team to a victory? We will find out Saturday at 7:30 on ABC.
