After a strong start to the 2014-15 season, we get a full slate of non-national games on League Pass to enjoy with some early tests for players and teams alike. 

Monday

New Orleans Pelicans @ Memphis Grizzlies: Anthony Davis and Omer Asik vs. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Get your popcorn ready, big man aficionados!

Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks: Until we figure out what the heck is going on with the Celtics, they make the list at least once a week. Plus, Jared Sullinger and Dirk Nowitzki defending each other could be strangely compelling.

Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers: While the Jazz are not at the same level as the Clippers right now, they have played well early on and I am particularly excited to see how Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert fare against DeAndre Jordan and rookie Dante Exum vs. Chris Paul.

Tuesday

Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks: The Knicks had a rollercoaster two days, getting walloped in their home opener by the Bulls and then ruining LeBron James’ return with a shocking win in Cleveland. Washington has played like a team looking to host a playoff series this season after losing a strange first game without some key players. We should see Paul Pierce spend some time guarding Carmelo Anthony as we have so many times in the past.

Charlotte Hornets @ New Orleans Pelicans: Beyond the name-based confusion, this game features two young cores that got deeper over the summer with Lance Stephenson and Omer Asik. Charlotte will need Michael  Kidd-Gilchrist to score some points because a score in the low 70’s will not cut it against a dynamic New  Orleans squad.

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: On the list because one of the Phoenix PG’s may drop 40 on Jeremy  Lin and the Lakers.

Wednesday

Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers: It will be nice to see Orlando face a team with inferior talent to see how their various young players react to having an advantage. I hope we see some quality minutes from Tobias Harris.

Atlanta Hawks @ San Antonio Spurs: Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer goes against his former team as the champs face a fascinating Atlanta team. The Horford/Millsap front line may pose some problems for a San Antonio group still on the mend.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Utah Jazz: When the Cavs make a rare appearance on League Pass, it makes the list.

Friday

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Orlando Magic: A perfect early season League Pass game where both teams can give their young guys the space to play with reckless abandon. Hopefully Andrew Wiggins and Elfrid Payton both get chances to show their prodigious athletic gifts.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Detroit Pistons: Two young frontcourts still in search of complementary perimeter pieces. Larry Sanders can get his all-caps back with a nice game against Andre Drummond while we may see Jabari Parker try to get buckets defended by Josh Smith.

Saturday

Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers did not impress in the first week of the new season but they will have a few more games to gain their footing before a big matchup against Portland. This game also features teams with similar strengths and it will be fun to see if Portland can take advantage of LA’s shaky swingman defense.

Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets (Game of the Week): The animosity between these two teams has been lost in the shuffle but could come to the forefront here. Trevor Ariza has the right physical profile to make Klay Thompson’s night substantially tougher while Dwight Howard and Andrew Bogut battle on the block. Patrick Beverley and Stephen Curry will have their own duel outside and James Harden may play the most important role in deciding the winner.

Sunday

Utah Jazz @ Detroit Pistons: Two non-national darlings face off in what could be an incredibly fun game. Gordon Hayward has embraced his better surrounding talent while Detroit has shown some potential despite an 0-3 start.

Miami Heat @ Dallas Mavericks: While both teams have changed substantially since the 2011 NBA Finals, we should see a pretty good game. Tyson Chandler has returned after a New York sabbatical and could make life substantially more difficult for Miami.

Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns: This should end up as one of the most fun games of the week since both teams have started strong and play well against each other. Phoenix’s guard trio will face a tough challenge in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson since the Splash Brothers can score in buckets and have plenty of experience defending lead guards.

Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers: I genuinely enjoy watching both of these teams and this game should illustrate the changing Power Forward position. Both LaMarcus Aldridge and Kenneth Faried make a major impact despite operating in different parts of the floor.