What to Watch, You NBA Sicko: Feb. 9 - Feb. 15
The best viewing experiences the NBA has to offer...this week
Monday - February 9th
Early Slot: Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets (7:00 PM)
The Detroit Pistons have established themselves as the best regular-season team in the East, but at this exact moment, the Charlotte Hornets might take the mantle. The Hornets are riding a nine-game winning streak and are 12-3 over their past 15 games with a net rating of +12.1. The Pistons have been no slouches either. They’re 11-4 in their past 15 with a net rating of +10.5. With Detroit firmly entrenched in first, and the Hornets surging up the standings, this could very easily be a first-round playoff preview.
Late Slot: Cleveland Cavaliers at Denver Nuggets (9:00 PM)
The James Harden era in Cleveland got off to a winning start, but it didn’t exactly morph them into a juggernaut. Facing the v(h)aunted Sacramento Kings, the Cavaliers paired an offensive rating of 130.8 with a defensive rating of 124.9. It’s just one game, but the Cavaliers may officially be in “we need to outscore you” mode until Evan Mobley returns. The Nuggets continue to weather injuries, and just ended a brutal three-game losing streak, which saw them fall to Oklahoma City, Detroit, and New York. This contest is shaping up to have a combined score of over 250, so buckle up.
Tuesday - February 10th
Early Slot: Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets (8:00 PM) NBATV
The Clippers, despite trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac, have gone 2-1 over their past three games, with a 115-96 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. We’ll see if they can keep stacking wins, but with Kawhi Leonard playing at an MVP-level, they’re a watch-worthy side. The Rockets, who were glacially inactive during the deadline, have gone 7-4 since losing Steven Adams, but own a much more concerning +0.4 net rating over that stretch. Now, a big reason for their lackluster metrics is that three of their losses were by sizeable margins, but it’s never a good thing to be flirting with mediocrity. However, I think this should be a beautifully dreadful grindstone of a basketball game.
Late Slot: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30) NBATV
Despite their relative proximity in the standings, I think most people are resigned to the fact that the Spurs are the real deal, while the Lakers are very much not. Unfortunately, as soon as Austin Reaves returned for the Lakers, Luka Doncic’s hamstring started to act up. This is a game that’s worth watching because of the characters involved, and with one missing, it becomes far less interesting. That being said, since this is the only late game, like a late-night showing of Ocean’s 13 on a Turner channel, you’ll enjoy it or go to bed.
Wednesday - February 11th
Early Slot: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 PM) ESPN
The Knicks, after their post-NBA Cup malaise, are back to their Knickerbockery ways. They’ve won nine of their past ten with a net rating of +17.0(!), which includes a three-point victory over the Sixers. Their lone loss was to the East-leading Pistons, but they’ve firmly reestablished themselves as a contender. While the Sixers haven’t been as white-hot as the Knicks, they’re still 7-3 over their past ten games, but with a much more tepid +3.2 net rating. Regardless of where these teams stand, this is a real rivalry game that usually gets the best out of both sides.
Late Slot: Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz (9:00 PM)
Sometimes, you’ve got to watch the tank for all of its glory. The Kings have perfected the art of the unintentional tank through calamitous roster building and coaching hires, while the Jazz constantly have to pull out all the stops to undo the work from the talented parts of their roster and the wizardry of Will Hardy. I have no idea how this game will play out, but I’m betting on incredible entertainment down the stretch, as Utah goes to lengths never before seen to lose. While Sacramento earnestly but incompetently tries to win.
Thursday - February 12th
Early Slot: Milwaukee Bucks at Oklahoma City Thunder (7:30 PM) Prime
Back in September, this looked like a fantastic game. Unfortunately, the Bucks stink and Giannis is injured, while the Thunder rock, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with a core muscle injury. This should have been a proper sendoff for the All-Star festivities, but instead it’s a marquee game that never was.
Late Slot: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers (10:00 PM) Prime
Cooper Flagg’s development has been as rapid as it has been impressive. For all of the hype, it might not have been enough. He turned 19 in December and is already an above-average NBA player. The last player to be this good, this young, was LeBron James. While I don’t think he’ll reach that level of insane production, it is not out of the question. So, why not take the opportunity to watch two birds with one screen?
NBA All-Star Weekend Schedule
If you want a more detailed description of the schedule and each event, this is the NBA’s official schedule for each night and event. Simply selecting the event will bring you to a page with all the contestants, except, oddly, the actual All-Star games.
Friday - February 13th
Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (7:00 PM) ESPN
Rising Stars Game 1 (9:00 PM) Peacock
Rising Stars Game 2 (9:55 PM) Peacock
Rising Stars Championship (10:30 PM) Peacock
Followed by an HBCU classic, Hampton University vs North Carolina A&T State University
Saturday - February 14th
3-Point Contest (5:00 PM) NBC/Peacock
Shooting Stars Challenge (TBD) NBC/Peacock
Dunk Contest (TBD) NBC/Peacock
Sunday - February 15th
Game 1: Stars vs World (5:00 PM) NBC/Peacock
Game 2: Stripes vs GM1 Winner (5:55 PM) NBC/Peacock
Game 3: Stripes vs GM1 Loser (6:25 PM) NBC/Peacock
All-Star Championship (7:10 PM) NBC/Peacock
For any inquiries about work, discussion, and the like, you can email me at nevin.l.brown@gmail.com.