Will We See a Finals Preview: NBA Preview for Feb 2-8

We finally get the match-up of the leaders of each conference. Golden State has been the best team record-wise all season, but has slipped in the past week and now are percentage points behind the Hawks who have a dominant lead in the east after a perfect month of January. With Dallas and Portland reeling and playing each other, we could learn a lot more about their trouble, while the Pelicans and Thunder play twice, giving OKC a chance to make up important ground if they have any chance of making the playoffs this year.

Below is an exciting match up for each day this coming week that you should check out:

Monday, February 2nd – Hornets at Wizards, 7:00pm ET on NBA League Pass

These two teams have been heading in opposite directions of late, with Washington losing 2 straight and 5 of their last 10, while Charlotte has won 7 of their last 10 and moved comfortably above Brooklyn into the 8th playoff spot. The Wizards need a win to keep pace at the top of the conference where they now trail Atlanta by nine games, and are two behind Toronto. With Kemba Walker out, expect a big night from John Wall, who has possibly been the best point-guard in the league this season.

Other great games tonight include Hawks at Pelicans (8:00pm on NBATV) and Grizzlies at Suns (9:00pm ET on NBALP).

Tuesday, February 3rd – Heat at Pistons, 7:30pm ET on NBATV

The Heat have been a hot-and-cold team this year, and currently sit in the 7th spot in the East. Recently, their highlights have come from the emergence of Hassan Whiteside, a forward who has led them to several wins in the absence of Dwayne Wade and Luol Deing. Detroit has cooled of late after a smoking hot run following the release of Josh Smith, mostly due to the injury to Brandon Jennings. With both teams hurting in the backcourt, this promises to be a clash of front courts, and a chance to see how good Whiteside and Bosh can play against Monroe and Jennings, two of the best in the East.

Wednesday, February 4th – Mavericks at Warriors, 10:30pm on ESPN

The Warriors have had a rough last week, losing twice and relinquishing the ‘best record in the NBA’ title to the Hawks. The Mavericks’ week was just as bad, with analysts starting to publicly doubt the “fit” of Rondo on the team. Both teams have been fighting injuries this year, with Rondo himself injured coming into the week. The Mavs need a win, and the Warriors have lost only twice at home this season, and will have no mind to lose again, especially to a floundering side in the Mavs.

Other great games tonight include Wizards at Hawks (7:30pm ET on NBALP), Bulls at Rockets (8:00pm on ESPN), and Thunder at Pelicans (8:00pm ET on NBALP).

Thursday, February 5th – Suns at Trail Blazers, 10:30pm ET on TNT

Much was made last week about the tough run the Suns were heading into, having to face some of the leagues top teams in a fight for the 8th playoff spot. Since then, they have rolled off wins against the Bulls and Warriors, and their biggest fear (the Thunder) have tripped on the likes of the Knicks. The Blazers on the other hand, have been stumbling, losers of 8 of their last 10 and falling to 5th in the West, only 4 1/2 ahead of 8th place Phoenix. A guard showcase, this game should have lots of pace, and be an out-and-out track meet where LeMarcus Aldridge will need to make his presence known to the weaker Suns front court.

Friday, February 6th – Warriors at Hawks, 7:30pm ET on NBA League Pass

This is it – the game we’ve been waiting for. The Hawks come into the week on a franchise-record 19 game winning streak and are 3 games ahead of the Warriors in the win-column for best record in the NBA. All year, much has been written about each team and their positives and negatives, including whether they were “for real”. Here we get to see them both on the same court, with a chance to see their contrasting styles in play. Why ESPN has not flexed into this game I do not know, but this is easily the game of the year so far.

Other great games tonight include Clippers at Raptors (7:00pm ET on ESPN) and Pelicans at Thunder (8:00pm on NBALP).

Saturday, February 7th – Trail Blazers at Mavericks, 8:30pm ET on NBA League Pass

See above for the importance of this week for each team. By this time, we’ll know if either of these teams will continue their fall in the standings. Both teams have tough weeks against great teams in the West, and now have to play each other, in a great match-up of both guards and forwards.

Other great games tonight include Bulls at Pelicans (7:00pm ET on NBATV).

Sunday, February 8th – Hawks at Grizzlies, 6:00pm ET on NBA League Pass

A great day of NBA basketball, this is another chance to see the Hawks against a leader in the West. The Grizzlies have bounced back from a slip-up early in January, and the inside duo of Gasol and Randolph have never looked better. If the Hawks can win through the week and reach this game with 23 straight wins, this game jumps up even higher in importance, but with a tough week including the Warriors, that seems unlikely.

Other great games tonight include Clippers at Thunder (1:00pm ET on ABC), Trail Blazers at Rockets (7:00pm ET on NBALP), and Spurs at Raptors (7:00pm ET on NBATV).