As March begins, the playoffs come into clearer focus while the lottery is still distant enough to stay in the background. Injuries to Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook are unfortunate but they do add some intrigue to the next few weeks.

Monday

Pelicans @ Mavericks: Even if Anthony Davis misses this one, it still tells us a few things about two relevant teams in the Western Conference playoff picture. Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs need to win games like this to stay above the fray while New Orleans has to battle for everything to stay ahead of the continuously snakebit Thunder.

Tuesday

Wizards @ Bulls: Even without Wall vs. Rose, this game holds some intrigue because both teams have so much to play for. Washington likes to rely on their size but the Bulls are one of the few teams with more frontcourt talent.

Jazz @ Grizzlies: Gobert vs. Gasol. There are plenty of other things to be excited about (like Dante Exum trying to create against Mike Conley) but the big men take center stage here.

Wednesday

Cavs @ Raptors: It feels like these teams play all the time but this will be the first time in almost three months. The Cavs have changed dramatically during that time and these teams are almost dead even in the standings. Beyond Kyle Lowry and Kyrie Irving dueling, this will give us a much better idea of how Toronto’s big men can handle a strong front line.

Grizzlies @ Rockets: Tony Allen trying to shut down MVP candidate James Harden is what intrigues me most but this potential playoff preview also represents a chance for Houston to show that the race for the top two seeds is not over yet.

Bucks @ Warriors: As of this writing, these are the top two defensive teams in the entire league. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company have been one of the league’s biggest surprises but will need to play their best game of the season to take down Golden State, even though this will be their first game at home after a long road trip, a time when some teams are vulnerable.

Friday

Bulls @ Pacers: This game gets substantially more interesting with Derrick Rose’s absence. Chicago has to show that they can win road games against competitive opponents and a George-less Pacers team still qualifies.

Heat @ Wizards: I am hoping Bradley Beal will be available for this one so it can feature two incredibly dynamic backcourts. Goran Dragic has already meshed pretty well with his new teammates and they should have chances to run against the Wizards.

Cavs @ Hawks (Game of the Week): I joked on Twitter last week that they should just skip the rest of the Eastern Conference playoffs and let these teams play three series. It would certainly be fun as these teams succeed in different ways and pose challenges for one another.

Saturday

Grizzlies @ Pelicans: I love seeing Anthony Davis play against the Grizzlies, so hopefully he can make it back by this point.

Kings @ Heat: DeMarcus Cousins does battle with Hassan Whiteside. That is really all you need to know.

Trail Blazers @ Timberwolves: Minnesota has played some fun basketball since Ricky Rubio’s return but Damian Lillard and the Blazers are a tough opponent for anyone right now. Portland’s fun collection of perimeter players gives them plenty of options to throw at Andrew Wiggins.

Wizards @ Bucks: A week ago, this looked like a potential 3/6 series. That is still possible but Washington’s slipping has given Milwaukee an opening to get into the fifth seed. The trio of Wall, Beal and Pierce will need to hit the looks they generate against the Bucks’ high-quality defense.