5 NBA games to watch this week
Tuesday: Cleveland Cavaliers at Phoenix Suns, 9:00 p.m. ET
The reeling Cleveland Cavaliers are at risk of falling below .500 for the first time since November. After losing a season-high five consecutive games, and eight of the last nine, the Cavaliers will attempt to snap the streak on the road against the Phoenix Suns.
Cleveland is 1-7, and has been limited to 90.6 points per game, since knee and back strains forced LeBron James to the sidelines. The good news is that James, who ranks second in the NBA averaging 25.2 points per game, could return as early as Tuesday.
With or without James, the Cavaliers should have an easier time scoring against the Suns, who are surrendering 105 points per game - the third-highest mark in the NBA. Phoenix, sitting eighth in the Western Conference, has played well recently despite dropping their last two games - a five-point road loss to the San Antonio Spurs and an overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Wednesday: Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Less than a week after getting embarrassed by the Washington Wizards on national TV, the Chicago Bulls will look to return the favor.
Washington ran the Bulls off the court in a 102-86 win in the nation's capital Friday. John Wall won the point guard battle against Derrick Rose, while Washington's stellar defense held the Bulls to a 38.6-percent shooting mark from the field.
The two teams are separated by a half game in the Eastern Conference, and both appear poised for a top-four finish.
Friday: Atlanta Hawks at Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET
Winners of eight consecutive contests - and 22 of their last 24 - the Atlanta Hawks begin a four-game road trip against the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics before a date with the slumping Toronto Raptors - losers of four of their last five.
All eyes will be on the point guard matchup between two of the conference's best in Kyle Lowry and Jeff Teague, a pair of deserving All-Stars who are enjoying career seasons. Their play has been a big reason why the Hawks and Raptors are surprisingly the top two teams in the East.
| PLAYER | PPG | APG | FG% | 3PT% | PER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowry | 20.7 | 7.6 | 44.3 | 35.4 | 23.94 |
| Teague | 17.4 | 7.2 | 48.2 | 35.3 | 22.82 |
The Raptors, 2-0 versus Atlanta this season, have been powered by the NBA's best offense, while the Hawks have been strong on both sides of the ball.
| TEAM | ORtg | DRtg |
|---|---|---|
| Raptors | 114.1 (1) | 107.6 (22) |
| Hawks | 108.7 (6) | 102.6 (4) |
*(NBA rank in parentheses)
Friday: Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
After beating the Oklahoma City Thunder by five points in each of the first two games these teams met, the Golden State Warriors demolished them by 26 points last week.
Making matters worse for the Thunder, they'll be on the second night of a back-to-back after playing the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Speaking of the Rockets, the NBA-best Warriors will face them the following night.
Saturday: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, 8:00 p.m. ET (NBATV)
Saturday will mark the first of two games between these two Western Conference juggernauts in a five-day span. Golden State won the previous two meetings and takes a six-game winning streak into the week.
Expect to see defense and plenty of 3-pointers. The Warriors have the NBA's best defensive rating, while the Rockets rank third. Houston attempts more 3-pointers than any team in the game by far - more than 40 percent of the team's shots are from long distance - and Golden State clocks in at seventh.
| PLAYER | 3PM | 3PA | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 3.0 | 8.0 | 39.1 |
| Klay Thompson | 3.0 | 7.0 | 43.9 |
| James Harden | 2.5 | 7.0 | 36.4 |
| Patrick Beverley | 2.4 | 6.0 | 39.5 |
| Trevor Ariza | 2.4 | 7.0 | 32.1 |
*(all five rank among the top 10 leaders in 3-point attempts per game)