Monday

Memphis Grizzlies @ Indiana Pacers: They may not make it out of the 70’s, but it should be a fascinating one to watch. Both teams have a defensive identity though Paul George has shown plenty of offense this season. If Roy Hibbert wants to show that he deserves a place in the highest echelon of true centers right now, he needs to play well against Marc Gasol.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Clippers: The best point guard in the league battles one of the up and comers while Kevin Love and Blake Griffin go to war at the power forward spot. I am also intrigued to see if Nikola Pekovic can bully DeAndre Jordan the way he manhandles so many other NBA centers.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls: Incredibly, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose have never played against each other in an NBA game because of injuries to one or both of them. Looks like we will finally get to see them go at it.

Wednesday

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyrie and Rubio. Yep.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz: For some reason, I am genuinely excited to see Anthony Davis play against the new look Utah front line. Jrue Holiday will have a huge advantage as well with Trey Burke still out.

Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trail Blazers: Eric Bledsoe’s reputation as a defensive force at point guard will get an excellent test in reigning Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard. Miles Plumlee has helped fuel a surprising start for the Suns but Rip City has solid interior depth this season. 

Friday

Philadelphia 76ers @ Atlanta Hawks: Michael Carter-Williams, Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner have made the Sixers one of the big surprises so far. We should get to see some of MCW dueling with fellow rookie Dennis Schröder, which would be exciting.

Dallas Mavericks @ Miami Heat: So far this season, Monta Ellis actually have it all. The man he talked about in that legendary clip (Dwyane Wade) has looked somewhat rejuvenated this season and Chris Bosh has to look forward to games against his hometown team.

Detroit Pistons @ Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins faces Andre Drummond. Could the world implode? Tune in to find out.

Saturday

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Washington Wizards: Kyrie’s weeklong tour of fun point guards concludes with John Wall and the Wizards. Cleveland’s offense has disappointed so far this season but Washington’s D has not been nearly as stout as it was last year with Emeka Okafor.

Indiana Pacers @ Chicago Bulls [Game of the Week]: If the Pacers can win one in the United Center a week after beating the Bulls in Indy, we could see a true power shift in the conference. Hopefully we have a healthy George Hill to make this a fair evaluation of the two teams.

Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets: Houston might drop 125 on a disappointing Denver defense without JaVale McGee.

Sunday

Portland Trail Blazers @ Toronto Raptors: Two feisty teams looking to establish themselves as playoff contenders as long as Dwane Casey’s clock “management” against the Bobcats was not high-concept tanking. Rudy Gay will need to impress by scoring on Nicolas Batum even though the Frenchman appears to have an outsized defensive reputation.