As the 2016-17 season works its way into form, League Pass fans get the chance to see some clarifying contests that should give us a better idea where teams stand in the early part of the schedule. This week also features some big games out West including the Game of the Week: Rockets/Blazers on Thursday.

Monday

Magic at Pacers, 7 p.m.: Frank Vogel’s return to Indianapolis comes at a strange time because both teams are looking to stabilize their seasons. Orlando has struggled most of the season while the Pacers’ defense has collapsed and they will likely be without star Paul George here. For an early season game, this could end up being very important for each team.

Mavericks at Knicks, 7:30 p.m.: Dirk Nowitzki is questionable so we may not see Dirk vs. Porzingis but this will be interesting all the same. Harrison Barnes could draw the assignment to defend Carmelo Anthony, a big challenge for the Mavs’ major addition this summer. Also, Derrick Rose faces off against a motley crew of Dallas point guards.

Grizzlies at Jazz, 9 p.m.: In many ways, Utah has taken over Memphis’ mantle as the team zigging with big men while much of the league zags. Both squads have dealt with significant injuries to start the season but both Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons should play here.

Tuesday

Hawks at Heat, 7:30 p.m.: Dwight Howard has been one of the brightest spots for the early part of the season and he faces a major challenge with Hassan Whiteside and a Heat team that has to score in the interior when possible. Miami has attempted the most shots in the restricted area this season and Howard will try to change that path.

Hornets at Timberwolves, 8 p.m.: A weird, potentially fun game with some unusual matchups. If Michael Kidd-Gilchrist can play, he likely draws Andrew Wiggins while Wiggins may cross-match on to Nicolas Batum when the Hornets have the ball. Ricky Rubio’s return means a fascinating duel with Kemba Walker.

Nets at Lakers, 10:30 p.m.: Luke Walton deserves a ton of credit for making the Lakers look like a completely different team so far while Kenny Atkinson has done a similar trick in Brooklyn with inferior talent. Brook Lopez is shooting threes now and D’Angelo Russell could have a chance to shine against a Nets team dealing with multiple injuries to point guards.

Wednesday

Pelicans at Magic, 7 p.m.: Even though the Pelicans have some solid performances on their game log this year, starting the season 1-9 (likely 1-10 by the time this game occurs) puts some real pressure on the organization top to bottom. Orlando is in a similar but less precarious situation, so like their game against the Pacers on Monday this one could have some larger implications.

Cavaliers at Pacers, 7 p.m.: Assuming Paul George can play, a George vs. LeBron match-up is always worthy of attention. They are two of the most physically gifted swingmen in the entire league and have a long history against one another. Even if the final result is less in doubt, it should be enjoyable.

Rockets at Thunder, 8 p.m.: This is League Pass catnip, basically. Each team has been consistently entertaining this season and the Westbrook/Harden dynamic adds another layer of intrigue on the whole thing. Keep an eye on the center matchups as both teams use traditional centers pretty consistently and also if Houston can spread OKC out using Ryan Anderson.

Thursday

Knicks at Wizards, 7 p.m.: John Wall vs. Derrick Rose was must-see TV a few years ago and should still be fascinating here. Meanwhile, Markieff Morris will have to figure out how to contain Kristaps Porzingis while the Wizards work to produce reliable offense.

Bucks at Heat, 7:30 p.m.: Presumably, Point Giannis will have Justise Winslow on him most of the game but that could open the door for a big Jabari Parker game. Milwaukee’s limited shooting also drives them into Hassan Whiteside and the teeth of Miami’s defense.

Trail Blazers at Rockets, 8 p.m. (Game of the Week): In a strange bit of scheduling, the League Pass Game of the Week runs directly against a potentially interesting but also perilous national game (Sixers at Timberwolves). Houston and Portland have plenty of star power and both James Harden and Damian Lillard have started out the season strong. Portland’s backcourt provides one of the biggest challenges for the Rockets’ approach of starting both Harden and Eric Gordon. 

Friday

Hawks at Hornets, 7 p.m.: A compelling matchup featuring the two Eastern Conference teams most deserving of a little extra attention. The Hawks have continued their defensive dominance from last season despite changing centers while Charlotte has kept it together on both ends of the floor. Kent Bazemore likely has to defend the much larger Nicolas Batum here while Dennis Schroder gets a chance to burnish his defensive reputation with a good night on Kemba Walker. 

Grizzlies at Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.: The Chandler Parsons return game occurs at a time when both teams wish they could be on sturdier footing. Harrison Barnes has done well in Parsons’ stead but Dallas has struggled overall. If Dirk Nowitzki is ready to play, it will be interesting to see him face off against a different kind of power forward than Memphis has deployed traditionally with Zach Randolph’s move to the bench. 

Raptors at Nuggets, 9 p.m.: Despite being a cross-conference matchup early in the season, this game is actually a rematch of one of the more interesting games of the year so far. On Halloween, the Nuggets came close to downing the Raptors in Toronto but the home team eventually pulled it out behind 33 points from DeMar DeRozan and 29 from Kyle Lowry. Keep an eye on Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Jokic as hot starts from both could give Denver a big win. 

Saturday

Jazz at Rockets, 5 p.m.: A big clash of styles that also gets its own Saturday time slot. James Harden will challenge Utah’s big men to defend actively without fouling while the Jazz will try to create seams in Houston’s defense. 

Celtics at Pistons, 7 p.m.: It has flown under the radar a little but the Pistons have done a nice job holding it together without Reggie Jackson. While it looks like their starting point guard will not be ready for this one, Detroit will have a chance because of their stout defense. That said, Al Horford’s ability to stretch the floor will create dilemmas for Andre Drummond and the Pistons’ other true centers.

Warriors at Bucks, 8:30 p.m.: Last season, the Warriors’ record-breaking win streak came to an end playing in Milwaukee the night after a tough game in Boston. While earlier in the year, that same pattern happens again here and the Bucks will look to capitalize again. Giannis vs. Durant is the marquee matchup but Matthew Dellavedova and Stephen Curry have plenty of history from the 2015 Finals.

Sunday

Hawks at Knicks, 12 p.m.: Matinee games at Madison Square Garden are often interesting, surprising experiences and this should be no different. Joakim Noah and Dwight Howard have battled over the years in different uniforms and the Hawks will have to figure out who is their best choice to defend Carmelo Anthony.

Jazz at Nuggets, 9 p.m.: These division foes are two of the only teams that start two traditional bigs, making this feel like a true throwback game. George Hill has started the season strong and Emmanuel Mudiay will try to slow him down while Danilo Gallinari likely starts the game on Gordon Hayward. 

Raptors at Kings, 9 p.m.: Call it instinct but this could be a big DeMarcus Cousins game even as Jonas Valanciunas makes his way back from a knee bruise. Also, Rudy Gay plays against one of his former teams while Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan attempt to impose their will on Sacramento’s backcourt.