As the calendar turns from November to December, the NBA starts to take shape as teams have incorporated new talent and faced a wider variety of opposition. The first month has made certain League Pass matchups this week more interesting, including Hawks/Raptors in the Game of the Week. On top of that, Minnesota, Detroit and Toronto all have multiple significant tests over these seven days. 

Monday

Hornets at Grizzlies, 8 p.m.: At the moment, these look like two playoff teams if they can stay healthy. Both Mike Conley and Kemba Walker have played at an All-Star level so far, plus Tony Allen guards Nicolas Batum if the Frenchman can play after sitting on Saturday due to a corneal abrasion. 

Jazz at Timberwolves, 8 p.m.: While Derrick Favors missing time takes some of the intrigue out here, it will be fascinating to see how Quin Snyder chooses to defend Karl-Anthony Towns considering his remaining personnel. Also, George Hill vs. Ricky Rubio will be intense.

Hawks at Warriors, 10:30 p.m.: After a start that included getting blown out at home by the Spurs and a shocking loss to the Lakers, Golden State has rattled off eleven straight wins. Atlanta’s talented front line and No. 1 defense will challenge the Warriors, particularly if Draymond Green’s ankle issue limits his ability to defend Paul Millsap.

Tuesday

Pistons at Hornets, 7 p.m.: A tough back-to-back for Charlotte concludes with Andre Drummond and the Pistons. With Reggie Jackson still a little bit away from returning, Stan Van Gundy will have to decide if he wants to put Ish Smith on Kemba Walker or try to hide him on a Charlotte swingman. 

Cavaliers at Bucks, 8 p.m.: LeBron vs. Giannis on both ends should be captivating and Jason Kidd will have to figure out how to use his long-armed thicket to defend a versatile Cleveland team, particularly when Channing Frye plays center. 

Lakers at Pelicans, 8 p.m.: D’Angelo Russell’s absence takes some of the fun out of this game but it should still be significant as the Pelicans look to claw their way back into the playoff picture. Julius Randle may be ready to return by Tuesday, but Larry Nance Jr. may be the best fit to guard Anthony Davis. 

Wednesday

Kings at 76ers, 7 p.m.: The first time DeMarcus Cousins and Joel Embiid face off (hopefully) makes this one of the week’s most exciting games and it will be fascinating to see if Sacramento’s point guards can maximize one of the few times this season where they have the advantage.

Grizzlies at Raptors, 7:30 p.m.: Tony Allen will test DeMar DeRozan’s enhanced scoring prowess in a contest that could also establish Memphis as a higher-end playoff team. Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley will be a battle as well and Jonas Valanciunas will have to contend with Marc Gasol. 

Wizards at Thunder, 8 p.m.: Russell Westbrook’s monster season continues with a big game against John Wall and the Wizards. Ian Mahinmi’s return gives Washington two centers to contend with Steven Adams and Enes Kanter but do not forget about 2013 draftees Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter going at it on the perimeter.

Thursday

Bucks at Nets, 7:30 p.m.: Brooklyn has cooled off after a better than expected start but already gave Milwaukee a tough game early in the season. Brook Lopez’s surprising willingness to shoot threes will challenge the Bucks since they rely on centers who are less comfortable defending that far out of the paint.

Heat at Jazz, 9 p.m.: Hassan Whiteside and Rudy Gobert will tangle on the inside while George Hill tries to neutralize Goran Dragic and the Miami offense. If Hill and Dragic play, keep an eye on how Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson fare as creators since the Heat will need strong performances from both to get a significant road win. 

Friday

Timberwolves at Knicks, 7:30 p.m.: Both coaches inexplicably playing their talented seven-footers at center means we should get a fair amount of Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis guarding each other, which will be an absolute delight. This game concludes one of the stranger home-and-homes this season since these teams only play twice per season.

Clippers at Pelicans, 8 p.m.: The Pelicans have been competitive since point guard and Los Angeles product Jrue Holiday returned but the Clippers have been one of the best teams in the league all season. Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis will be competitive the whole game but DeAndre Jordan will also have a major part to play in the outcome.

Pistons at Hawks, 8 p.m.: Detroit’s top-ten defense will face a significant stress test due to Atlanta’s ball movement and variety of offensive talent but the Hawks’ league-leading defense should define this game as Dwight Howard tries to challenge Detroit’s shots near the basket. 

Saturday

Timberwolves at Hornets, 7 p.m.: Assuming these teams will be at or near full strength, there will be fun matchups all over the floor from Kemba Walker and Ricky Rubio at the point to Karl-Anthony Towns and Marvin Williams at power forward. Minnesota does not possess a true lockdown perimeter defender at this point but would benefit greatly from Andrew Wiggins putting that sort of effort on Nicolas Batum to show what he can become in time. 

Hawks at Raptors, 7:30 p.m. (Game of the Week): The last two Eastern Conference finalists (other than Cleveland) both look strong to start this season and the outcome of this game could become significant if they are still close in mid-April. Part of what led Atlanta to choose Dennis Schroder over Jeff Teague was his defensive capability and Kyle Lowry will push that to the limit. 

Heat at Trail Blazers, 10 p.m.: Hassan Whiteside elected to stay in Miami after overtures from Portland and the early season has shown why that could have been a formidable combination. Mason Plumlee will have to contain the talented center while Miami uses their combination of perimeter defenders on Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Sunday

Magic at Pistons, 6 p.m.: Despite struggling on offense in the first month of the season, the Magic are still in the playoff mix as the lower spots in the conference are still up for grabs. Detroit could get point guard Reggie Jackson back in time for this game, giving it additional resonance.

Pelicans at Thunder, 7 p.m.: Russell Westbrook and Jrue Holiday expected to be college teammates but Westbrook’s Final Four fun pushed him into the 2008 Draft and Oklahoma City. Anthony Davis and the Pelicans securing a big road win here would go a long way towards affirming their case as a playoff-caliber team when close to full strength while the Thunder have an opportunity to prove they belong after a recent skid.

Kings at Knicks, 7:30 p.m.: DeMarcus Cousins at Madison Square Garden should be enough to make this worth watching but it will also be a worthwhile test of Sacramento coach Dave Joerger’s resolve in his vow to go small after some early season struggles since the Knicks start a 7’3” power forward.