| Sunday (11/20) | | | | Spurs @ Warriors: Golden State has a day off, so |
| Best: | | | | they should be able to dictate the game's pace. In |
| Rockets @ Pacers: At 3-6, Houston really needs the | | | | the half-court game, Golden State is outmatched. |
| tough win in Indiana. It doesn't matter how shallow | | | | They play the same way as San Antonio, but their |
| the West is, last place is bad to be in. Yao Ming gets | | | | pace is a little quicker. They made 12 3-pointers to |
| in foul trouble often, and you can put him down for a | | | | win in Milwaukee, and they'll need to make a high |
| disqualification up against Jermaine O'neal. McGrady | | | | percentage to come out with a W. |
| won't show up in the 4th quarter every time; he's | | | | Blowout: |
| got to contribute early and have a big first half. | | | | Nuggets @ Pistons: We know that Detroit is the |
| Runnner-up: | | | | genuine article great team we expected, but Denver |
| Grizzlies @ Nuggets: Memphis has looked increasingly | | | | is still up in the air. If Denver plays their best they |
| more impressive with each game. Denver has looked | | | | could compete, but they just don't match up well to |
| good sporadically with injuries to Boozer, Nene and | | | | Detroit's defensive powerhouse. And Darko Milicic will |
| coach George Karl hurting them. Tough to say whom | | | | make sure Carmelo Anthony has a poor |
| the favorite should be. Whoever of Gasol and | | | | game.Thursday (11/24) |
| Anthony steps up more will lead their team to | | | | Keep in mind that there are only 2 NBA games on |
| victory. | | | | Thanksgiving, so these 2 were the only ones. Both |
| Blowout: | | | | might've made the cut anyway. |
| Heat @ Raptors: Last Sunday's Raptor game was | | | | Best: |
| one to watch. Toronto will be in a similar situation | | | | Cavaliers @ Pacers: A central division matchup that |
| though: down by 18 in the 4th and looking to make a | | | | will prove more about Cleveland if they win. Making |
| comeback. Regardless of injuries to Williams and | | | | the playoffs isn't a concern as much as winning the |
| Shaq, Miami is starting to click. A double-digit win | | | | division. This important game will be played tough and |
| should be expected for Miami.Monday (11/21) | | | | will hopefully push back the start of the Sonics |
| | | | Lakers game. |
| Best: | | | | Runner-up: |
| Nets @ Warriors: Kidd against Davis and Carter and | | | | Sonics @ Lakers: Love is not in the air. If there is |
| against Richardson spotlight this matchup. Golden | | | | one guy Ray Allen doesn't appear to be classy to, it's |
| State hasn't had to travel far lately, so they should | | | | Kobe. The Sonics are worse and the Lakers are |
| be well rested for this encounter. However, Richard | | | | faintly better. The Sonics have owned the Lakers in |
| Jefferson is going to exploit Dunleavy at SF. | | | | the 21st century, but Kobe Bryant is going to step |
| Someone has to step up for the Warriors. | | | | up for a big performance.Friday (11/25) |
| Runner-up: | | | | Best: |
| Hornets @ Sixers: The young guys in New Orleans | | | | Blazers @ Magic: Orlando has had some problems |
| Oklahoma City will find a lot of easy shots with Sam | | | | containing rather inexperienced teams. Portland is sure |
| Dalembert injured. Iverson should have a good game, | | | | to give them trouble. Orlando is low scoring and |
| but Webber could get fatigued easily. This is | | | | doesn't wipe out any team. Composure is going to be |
| Philadelphia's game to win, but they could easily get | | | | key. It adds up to close finish, and whether Turkoglu |
| complacent before the game begins. | | | | or Ratliff can produce. |
| Blowout: | | | | Runner-up: |
| Bucks @ Jazz: Utah owner Larry Miller freaked out | | | | Mavericks @ Heat: If Detroit really is the best team |
| when they lost a game scoring only 63 points. He | | | | in the East, then Dallas's 37-point win against them |
| shouldn't fret since Utah did have 4 of their 5 | | | | last Saturday says volumes. Of course Miami just isn't |
| starters injured that in that game. However, he | | | | at Detroit or even Indiana's scale with Shaq missing. |
| should fret that those situations will come often, and | | | | A win here should raise their status. |
| this encounter with Milwaukee will be no different if | | | | Blowout: |
| McLeod, Boozer, Giricek and Kirilenko are | | | | Bulls @ Spurs: Chicago lost in OT to San Antonio |
| hurt.Tuesday (11/22) | | | | earlier in the year, and will find it even harder for |
| Best: | | | | redemption. Songalia and Chandler provide little |
| Celtics @ Cavaliers: These 2 have a history against | | | | blockage against Tim Duncan to blow right through |
| each other, going back to when Paul Pierce spit on | | | | them. Hinrich is as good as anyone to be up against |
| the Cavs bench. The Celtics hustle will compete for | | | | Parker, but you'll still see Tony get 20+ points. |
| certain against Cleveland. Boston began the year with | | | | Expect the deficit to reach 20 by the 3rd |
| 3 straight OT or last-second games, so you know a | | | | quarter.Saturday (11/26) |
| tight affair is in order. | | | | Best: |
| Runner-up: | | | | 76ers @ Knicks: Iverson and Marbury have both |
| Rockets @ Mavericks: These 2 teams went 7 | | | | been known throughout as coach killers, but Iverson |
| games in the playoffs last year, and could very well | | | | has appeared to gel with Maurice Cheeks. The same |
| meet again this year (assuming the Rockets once | | | | can't be said for Marbury, who like all Knick players is |
| again finish strong). Like the postseason, Yao needs | | | | facing trade rumors. The divisional player matchups |
| to step up to give Houston a good shot at a win. | | | | are what make this game a draw. |
| Blowout: | | | | Runner-up: |
| Raptors @ Suns: Toronto has allowed a ridiculous | | | | Pistons @ Bucks: Another good-ole Central division |
| 112+ PPG in their last 4. Thrice in their last 7 games | | | | showdown, and once again Milwaukee is trying to |
| have they allowed their opponent to score 117 or | | | | validate their 3-0 start. With the division as tight as it |
| more. Phoenix doesn't score as much as they used | | | | is, both teams should play harder than usual. Detroit |
| to, but it shouldn't take much overwhelm | | | | definitely needs a better road showing than that |
| Toronto.Wednesday (11/23) | | | | bombardment they took in Dallas. |
| Best: | | | | Blowout: |
| Bobcats @ Knicks: If nothing else, both of these | | | | Hornets @ Sonics: J.R. Smith will get a lesson on |
| teams will struggle throughout. Expect a lot fouls, | | | | defending pure shooters like Ray Allen, assuming |
| 3-point attempts and layups. Why watch it? Neither | | | | Smith isn't injured and won't play. Either way, Seattle |
| team wins their games on blowouts, so a squeaker is | | | | should dominate offensively. Really bad field-goal % |
| in order. | | | | for the Sonics will be the only factor keeping a |
| Runner-up: | | | | blowout from occurring. |