The abridged first week after the All-Star break always marks a transition but it will be different this year with the trade deadline already complete. Some teams had more time to incorporate new additions as franchises push towards the playoffs or fire up the tank.

Thursday

Nets at Hornets, 7 p.m.: At nine games under .500, Charlotte needs a serious push if they want to make the playoffs. Kemba Walker will have to compete with both D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie, two very different point guards.

Knicks at Magic, 7 p.m.: The first “double tank” game after the All-Star break, meaning a contest where both teams are clearly out of the playoff picture and have full control of their own draft pick. Orlando bigs Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon could return here as well. 

76ers at Bulls, 8 p.m.: Philadelphia needs to keep pushing in order to ensure a playoff berth and the Sixers also have a decent shot at hosting a first-round series with a strong second half. Joel Embiid is coming off his first All-Star appearance while Ben Simmons could be motivated by a perceived snub. 

Friday

Celtics at Pistons, 7 p.m.: Detroit has played Boston well recently, including a 118-108 win at TD Garden shortly after the Celtics’ big winning streak. Blake Griffin has been added to the mix so Brad Stevens has to choose between sticking with two bigs more consistently or making the Griffin/Drummond combination chase perimeter players around the court.

Bucks at Raptors, 7:30 p.m. (Game of the Week): Toronto has been the Eastern Conference’s best team for the first two-thirds of the season and have the chance to secure home court advantage in the playoffs with a strong closing kick. Milwaukee has been similarly strong after firing Jason Kidd, with a 9-3 record and the league’s fifth-best NetRtg.

Heat at Pelicans, 8 p.m.: Anthony Davis vs. Hassan Whiteside will be interesting on both ends of the floor, especially if New Orleans tries to draw Whiteside out of the paint on pick-and-rolls. The Heat have been one of the league’s best clutch teams this year but have to find a new balance with Dwyane Wade’s return.

Trail Blazers at Jazz, 9 p.m.: The NBA’s hottest team has an eleven-game win streak heading into the All-Star break and one of their most impressive games in that run came in Portland. Donovan Mitchell has starred during this stretch but will have to battle Lillard and McCollum here.

Saturday

Bulls at Timberwolves, 9 p.m.: The first time these teams played after their massive off-season move was one of the most fun games before the All-Star break. Zach LaVine returns to Minnesota and hopefully will be able to play a full minute load as he recovers from a torn ACL.

Trail Blazers at Suns, 9 p.m.: The Suns have not won since acquiring Elfrid Payton at the deadline but early returns on the trade have been good for Phoenix. Here he squares off against Damian Lillard with Devin Booker vs. CJ McCollum at the other guard spot.

Lakers at Kings, 10 p.m.: Hopefully this can be Lonzo Ball and De’Aaron Fox squaring off but Ball may sit out the tail end of a back-to-back (or #AfraidOfFox). Either way, it will be interesting to see how the non-tanking Lakers fare on the road in Sacramento.

Sunday

Pistons at Hornets, 1 p.m.: The two East teams currently on the outside looking in that still have a chance of making the postseason, increasing the pressure here. Griffin and Drummond chemistry have meshed quickly but Dwight Howard will try to shut them down around the basket.

Pelicans at Bucks, 3 p.m.: Giannis and Anthony Davis will not spend much time on each other but have plenty to play for as their teams battle for playoff position. Also, Eric Bledsoe and Jrue Holiday will face off for a fun point guard matchup.

Rockets at Nuggets, 8 p.m.: A potential first round preview and an important game for Denver after getting demolished by the Rockets two weeks ago. Jamal Murray will have a chance to impress since Chris Paul will presumably defend him most of the night.