NBA Game to Watch #1: Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers
On January 13, we get an intriguing NBA matchup in the Eastern Conference. The Indiana Pacers are inching closer to a Victor Oladipo debut, but they will still be without their star shooting guard when they host Philadelphia. Regardless, this promises to be an Eastern Conference heavyweight bout with serious postseason implications. As of January 12, 2020, the 76ers sit in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference with the Pacers right behind them at the sixth position. This game could shake up the playoff picture and home-court advantage in the East.
NBA Game to Watch #2: Utah Jazz at Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving is back for the Brooklyn Nets which puts them back in the conversation for making noise in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Nets get their star point guard back, who is averaging a career-high 28.5 points per game so far this season. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have snuck all the way up to second place in the Western Conference after an impressive win streak. The dynamic tandem of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert has been causing opposing defenses fits, giving the Nets a lot to game plan for come January 14. The Jazz will have one of their toughest tests of the season as they look to go on the road and defeat a Nets team hanging on for a playoff spot.
Game #3: Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have been one of the biggest surprises this season along with the Miami Heat. While the Heat are a top-five team in the East, the Thunder have snuck into the playoff picture in the West after many thought they were in for a rebuilding year. Chris Paul has been showing he has plenty left in the tank tallying numbers of 16.7 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Not to mention, the young rising star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been coming into his own as he is putting up numbers of 19.9 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and a field goal percentage of 46.4%. The Heat are of course led by their star in Jimmy Butler, but also boast a dynamic trio of youngsters in Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Kendrick Nunn. With this game chock-full of intriguing matchups, this is one game to check out on January 17 along with the other two non-nationally televised NBA games for this week.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images