There are plenty of meaningful matchups across the NBA this week with a ton of star power on display.
The week tips off with a battle between the Heat and Celtics, where Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum will go head-to-head. We have a potential NBA Finals preview between the Nets and Suns on Tuesday, while Nikola Jokic will be put to the test against Rudy Gobert in Nuggets-Jazz on Wednesday.
Even though Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined, the Battle for Los Angeles will be must-see-TV on Thursday, while two of the NBA's hottest players go at it in a meeting between Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid. Two of the NBA's marquee franchise face off in Knicks-Lakers on Saturday, while an always sought after matchup between Doncic and Trae Young closes the week.
Take a look at a quick preview of all of those matchups below.
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Monday, Jan. 31
Miami Heat at Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET, TSN 4/5): These versions of the Heat and Celtics have a bit of a rivalry going since meeting in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals and this matchup is a big one for both teams. The Heat are trying to hang on to first place in the Eastern Conference while the Celtics are starting to rebound from a slow start to the season behind a recent hot stretch from Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 36.3 points over his last four games.
Also watch: Toronto Raptors at Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m., SN One) as the Raptors try and snap the Hawks' seven-game win streak.
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Brooklyn Nets at Phoenix Suns (10:00 p.m. ET, SN One): In what could be a preview of the NBA Finals, the Nets and Suns go head-to-head in Phoenix. Even though Kevin Durant will miss this meeting, the Nets could get James Harden back by Tuesday and Kyrie Irving will be eligible to play since the game is on the road. This could be a star-studded battle between two of the best backcourts in the NBA when Harden and Irving take on Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
Wednesday, Feb. 2
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz (10:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV Canada): Nikola Jokic has been otherworldly this season but it seems like the reigning MVP has been overlooked. Averaging 26.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, Jokic is keeping Denver in the hunt despite missing his two co-stars in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. He could face a tough test in this one against three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, although the Jazz's big man has missed the last few games due to a nagging calf injury.
Thursday, Feb. 3
Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers (10:00 p.m. ET, SN One): The Battle for Los Angeles loses a bit of juice without Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and possibly LeBron James suiting up, but this game is still very meaningful for both teams. The Clippers – even with all their injuries – are actually still ahead of the Lakers in the standings, as Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis will try and catch their in-town rivals.
Friday, Feb. 4
Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks (10:00 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass): This is the headliner of the week as two of the league's hottest players go head-to-head. Joel Embiid has asserted himself into MVP conversations, averaging 34.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists since the turn of the new year. Luka Doncic has taken his game to another level lately, too, averaging 29.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists over his last six games. Even though it's not a positional battle, expect to see a lot of tough shot making in this one.
Saturday, Feb. 5
New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass): Two of the NBA's biggest markets face off in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena. As both teams try and overcome underwhelming starts to the season, Julius Randle and Davis will battle it out in the frontcourt while RJ Barrett and Westbrook will duel it out on the wing. The Knicks are trying to work their way into the Play-In Tournament picture in the East, while the Lakers are trying to work their way into a top-six seed in the West.
Sunday, Feb. 6
Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks (6:00 p.m. ET, SN One): Every time Doncic and Trae Young go head-to-head it will be must-see-TV. The two players who were swapped for each other on draft day back in 2018 always put their best foot forward when they face off. Luka has Trae's number so far, winning three of the five matchups. Doncic averages 23.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 7.8 assists versus Young, while Young averages 21.2 points and 10.6 assists in those meetings.
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