When looking for the best games to watch, the Pacific Division is a good place to start. This is where some of the big stories are coming from. The Sacramento Kings are surprisingly leading this division. Both teams from Los Angeles recently added notable players. The Phoenix Suns improved by adding Kevin Durant and we know that the Golden State Warriors are going to make a run when Stephen Curry returns.
Since everyone is already thinking about those teams mentioned above, maybe it is time to shine some light on the others. Here are five enticing “non-Pacific-related” matchups primed to grace your screens this week.
Feb. 27 and March 1: Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers
It is time for a reunion. The Heat and the Sixers will be playing each other for the first time this season, but this back-to-back setup might be a friendly affair. Philadelphia’s Dewayne Dedmon was a member of the Heat just three weeks ago and P.J. Tucker played for Miami last season. From the Heat’s side, we have Jimmy Butler facing a squad he played for four years ago.
Aside from former players, we get to see former teammates. Danuel House Jr. (Sixers) used to play with Victor Oladipo (Heat) when they were with the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the ultimate reunion will belong to assistant coach Dave Joerger (Sixers) and Kyle Lowry (Heat). When Lowry was with the Memphis Grizzlies during his sophomore year, his assistant coach was Joerger.
Feb. 27 and March 5: Boston Celtics and New York Knicks
Look for Jaylen Brown to be in “revenge mode” on the 27th when he faces the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Last time they played, Brown infamously missed two crucial free throws in crunch time. He is secretly looking forward to this game; you know he wants to erase the memory of that painful loss in front of Boston’s home crowd. If that’s not enough, these teams play each other again one week later.
March 1: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
We just saw Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell make long-range shot after long-range shot for Team Giannis during the All-Star Game. Now, they will have to face each other in an actual, meaningful game. We can only hope that it will be a close fight between these two and that high scoring will be involved when their teams play inside TD Garden.
Mar. 2: Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
It is time for Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic to take advantage of what the schedule makers gave to Dallas. When the Mavericks play the Sixers, they will be in the middle of a homestand while the Sixers fly to Texas for the second game of a back-to-back. Will Miami’s Erik Spoelstra do the unthinkable and rest his star players?
March 4 and 5: Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs
If the Spurs are still on their losing streak by the time March rolls around, they can take comfort in knowing that their next two games are against the Rockets. Just like the Spurs, the Rockets can be found occupying the bottom area of the Western Conference standings. It is safe to say that the Spurs will finally have a chance to grab a win or two.
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