As the end of the season slowly comes into view, a series of different races have begun to take shape. Other than the top two seeds in the East, it seems like the rest of the playoff picture is wide open with chances to stratify if some teams slump while others surge. Things are coming together more clearly at the bottom with a few matchups this week going a long way towards determining some incredibly important ping pong balls.

Monday

Milwaukee Bucks @ Philadelphia 76ers: A potentially clarifying game in the Battle for the Bottom. Plus, it has Giannis Antetokounmpo!

Golden State Warriors @ Detroit Pistons: Detroit needs to win a few home games against quality opponents to firm up a spot in the playoffs. Depending on which Warriors frontcourt players are able to play, this could also be a huge talent disparity since Drummond, Smith, and Monroe are all still on the Pistons after the trade deadline.

Tuesday

Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers: Strangely enough, the Kyle Lowry All-Star Revenge Tour continues against a team the Raptors played last week in the Cavs. Kyrie Irving will need to have a better game than he did on Friday for the Cavs to get a necessary win.

Timberwolves @ Phoenix Suns: Even if he does not have the aurora of his earlier seasons, it should still be fun to watch Ricky Rubio go against Goran Dragic in a tough matchup for the Wolves. Look for Channing Frye and the rest of Phoenix’s sweet shooting PF’s to try and make Kevin Love’s life difficult.

Wednesday

Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers: As of now, these teams sit at #2 and #3 in terms of potential ping pong balls in the draft, so this one could have some larger implications. Victor Oladipo could have a chance to make a statement against a Philly team that has so many different parts.

Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz: On the list because I am intrigued at how Trey Burke will play against the Suns.

Brooklyn Nets @ Portland Trail Blazers: The Nets have played much better in January and stringing together a few quality performances would go a long way towards locking in a playoff berth and potentially a semi-respectable seed. While Portland has had some trouble with injuries recently, they still have the offensive firepower to put this one away early.

Thursday

Washington Wizards @ Toronto Raptors: Another week where I am more interested in a non-national game than either TNT game. Another game for Kyle Lowry against an All-Star PG, this time in a game featuring potentially the third and fourth best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Friday

Golden State Warriors @ New York Knicks: The last time he played at Madison Square Garden, Stephen Curry dropped 54. You better watch this.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder [Game of the Week]: Even after a disappointing loss to the Bobcats, Memphis has been coming on strong since Marc Gasol returned and could make a major statement with a huge road win. Hopefully Russell Westbrook will have worked more of the rust off so we can see a full bore battle with Mike Conley.

Saturday

New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Clippers: Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin on the same court. I’m there.

Sunday

Golden State Warriors @ Toronto Raptors: A legitimately fascinating pairing that would be fun to see more than twice this season. DeMar DeRozan will have to tangle with an underrated Warriors defense while Golden State can try to impose their will if the frontline can play and make it a #FullSquad game.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Orlando Magic: The combination of this game on their matchup earlier in the week could give one franchise a clear line on the second-most ping pong balls even with so much of the season left.  Orlando sweeping these games would likely provide a four game cushion for the Sixers, which might even be enough to see some Nerlens Noel if he can get all the way back this season.

Atlanta Hawks @ Phoenix Suns: I just have a sneaking suspicion this one will be worth keeping an eye on.