In a week dominated by the 2014 NBA Trade Deadline, we should get some incredibly fun basketball as teams around the NBA start to make the true playoff push. One of the most interesting storylines of the week is that many teams close to each other in the standings face off which should clarify the picture a little.

Tuesday

- Toronto Raptors @ Washington Wizards: All-Star snub Kyle Lowry gets to face off against the only point guard chosen to the East team as a reserve: John Wall. The Dunker of the Night and rising star in the league can show that he deserves his increased notoriety with a nice game here. I am also intrigued to see how the frontcourts function here.

- Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets: Denver needs a scorching start to fight their way back into the playoff picture and have a quality opponent to start that climb against.

Wednesday

- Orlando Magic @ Cleveland Cavaliers: Some will frame this as Victor Oladipo playing against the team that should have drafted him, while others should watch because it features two teams relying on quality young talent. We may see Oladipo guard Irving for stretches which would be compelling.

- Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks: As of this writing, only a half-game separates these teams even though it continues to feel like they are headed in different directions. Washington needs to finish off road games against quality opponents if they want to have home-court in the first round and this could be a good barometer of whether that has a realistic chance of happening.

- San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers: We are moving quickly into the part of the season where games have more immediate and discernible consequences in terms of the playoffs and this game looms pretty large at the moment. As things look right now, the top part of the West (likely seeds 2-5) could end up separated by a game or two in April. That makes each game incredibly important and games between those teams even bigger because of tiebreakers. Damian Lillard and Tony Parker have the ability to make their opponents look great on offense, a dangerous proposition when they guard each other.

Friday

- Cleveland Cavaliers @ Toronto Raptors: The Kyle Lowry Vengeance Tour continues! I cannot shake the feeling that Kyle Lowry will want to destroy the All-Star Game MVP if he still plays for the Raptors at this point. The biggest snub happens to play the same position and could definitely carry a grudge.

- Los Angeles Clippers @ Memphis Grizzlies [Game of the Week]: Memphis has been pushing hard for a playoff berth since Marc Gasol’s return while the Clippers played simply excellent basketball while Chris Paul recovered from injury. At closer to full strength (if Mike Conley returns by this point), we should see an incredibly fun rematch of last year’s first round series.

- San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns: Two of my favorite teams to watch even though neither has played at full health recently. Goran Dragic has been on an absolute tear and will look to continue that play after the Break.

Saturday

- Dallas Mavericks @ Detroit Pistons: One of those weird games because both squads are fighting to make the playoffs but one team is ten games ahead of the other in the win column. Andre Drummond and Dirk Nowitzki may not guard each other much here but I am excited to see them share a court.

- Brooklyn Nets @ Golden State Warriors: Golden State has looked surprisingly vulnerable at home the last few weeks but has a chance to reassert their strength here. Brooklyn has its flaws and will need quality performances from Kevin Garnett and Deron Williams on both sides of the floor in order to take this one.

Sunday

Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers: These teams have played three times so far this season and the combined margin sits at Cleveland +2 including one overtime thriller. This game also gets a different flavor because it occurs shortly after the trade deadline and either of these teams could be substantially affected by it.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Portland Trail Blazers: I just like these teams playing each other way too much. The rivalry between Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge gets a little added flavor in Portland because it is so close to Kevin’s home town. Even though the PF’s generate the headlines, I’m looking forward to seeing Portland’s backcourt try to shoot the cover off the ball here.