What to Watch, You NBA Sicko: Nov. 24 - Nov. 30

The best viewing experiences the NBA has to offer

These are the best games the NBA has to offer over the week of November 24th through 30th. The early slate will be games between 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM, and the late slate will be any game starting after 9:00 PM. On weekends, the early slot can begin as early as midday. There are no games on Thanksgiving.

Monday - November 24

Early Slot: Cleveland Cavaliers → Toronto Raptors (7:00 PM) Peacock

The Raptors are second, and the Cavaliers are third in the Eastern Conference. While it’s unlikely that’s where they’ll be when the dust settles (the Raptors will probably fall back and the Cavaliers should move up), for the time being, these are two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. As an added bonus, both the Cavaliers and Raptors will have played on Sunday, which makes this a rare double-back-to-back. Generally, offensive efficiency stays relatively unchanged, while defense falls off on the second night of a back-to-back. So, expect this to be a high-scoring affair, regardless of who suits up.

Late Slot: Houston Rockets → Phoenix Suns (9:30 PM) Peacock

The Rockets are elite. They’re second in net rating (+10.5), and their Simple Rating System (SRS) score of 11.32 is fractions off the Thunder’s 11.41. The Suns, well, they’re not elite, but they’ve been far better than expected. Their net rating of +5.0 is ninth in the league, but they’ve built that by playing the third-easiest schedule to start the season. However, it gets hard now, and I’m very curious to see how they look. Unfortunately, Kevin Durant will miss the game to attend to a family matter, but that should only make the contest more even.

Tuesday - November 25

Early Slot: Orlando Magic → Philadelphia 76ers (8:00 PM) NBC/Peacock

The Orlando Magic have been without Paolo Banchero for the past six games, and if he isn’t available on Tuesday, they should keep on chugging. Since Banchero went down with a groin injury, the Magic have a +7.1 net rating and are 4-2, with their losses coming in overtime to the Rockets and a blowout at the hands of the Celtics. The Sixers have been one of the league’s cardiac Kings, ranking third in clutch minutes played. Unfortunately, Tyrese Maxey left Sunday’s contest with a shoulder injury. His health status is worth monitoring because so much of the Sixers’ watchability rests on his shoulders.

Late Slot: Los Angeles Clippers → Los Angeles Lakers (11:00 PM) NBC/Peacock

The lone late game on Tuesday isn’t the most enthralling matchup, but at least these teams ostensibly don’t like each other. James Harden is dragging the Clippers ever closer to mediocrity, and Kawhi Leonard should be back in action. The Lakers have been chugging along as Luka Doncic drags them slightly above mediocrity, and LeBron James should continue to ease into the season. Once again, the Clippers have proven to be the off-brand Los Angeles team.

Wednesday - November 26

Bonus Early Slot: Detroit Pistons → Boston Celtics (5:00 PM) ESPN

ESPN has a monster slate of games on Thanksgiving Eve, and it starts with the Pistons and Celtics. Based on point differential, the Pistons should be 11-5, and the Celtics should be 11-6. These are two of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, and right now, the Pistons get to say they’re the best. Now, if you don’t like free throws, maybe avoid this one because they’re both in the top three for opponent free-throw rate.

Early Slot: Minnesota Timberwolves → Oklahoma City Thunder (7:30 PM) ESPN

Could I interest you in a Western Conference Finals rematch? What about the reigning MVP? Or how about the league’s most marketable Young American(s)? If you said yes to any of these, you may want to watch the Timberwolves and the Thunder. Both teams have gotten off to strong starts but have enjoyed the two easiest schedules. This will be a great test for both, and you should stick around for the results.

Late Slot: Houston Rockets → Golden State Warriors (10:00 PM) ESPN

Rockets fans really don’t like the Warriors. That’s mostly because the Rockets had the misfortune of building championship-worthy teams when the Warriors were at their peak, but it’s also because the Warriors eliminated them in seven games in the playoffs last season. In fact, there is a whole lot of animosity towards these Warriors. Ime Udoka lost to them in the Finals. Have you heard of Kevin Durant? (Unfortunately, he’ll also miss this game) I’m assuming Steven Adams rightfully hates Draymond Green. The Rockets are the better team now, and I think they’ll relish the opportunity to beat the Warriors down. However, Steph Curry is still capable of magic, Draymond can defend anyone, and Jimmy Butler is always dangerously lurking.

Thursday - November 27

There are no NBA games scheduled on Thanksgiving. I’d like to thank all my subscribers, readers, and Substack drifters for their support of Above the Break. Enjoy some food, tolerate your family, and remember, the NBA will be back Friday.

Friday - November 28

Early Slot: Orlando Magic → Detroit Pistons (7:30 PM)

I’m waiting for the clock to strike midnight on the Pistons’ incredible run. They’re 14-2 and are in the midst of a 12-game win streak. By the time this game tips, their win streak may have ended, but until it officially does, I think it’s worth it to check how long they can push the improbable. Now, the Magic have been much better since a sluggish start, and I think they could be a tough matchup for the Pistons. The one defensive weakness the Pistons have is that they foul the ever-living fuck out of anything that moves, while the Magic lead the league in FT/FGA on offense. Throw in Jalen Suggs’ on-ball ability, and the Magic may have enough to slow down Cade Cunningham and dent the Pistons’ armor.

Late Slot: Sacramento Kings → Utah Jazz (9:30 PM)

The Kings, despite a win against the Nuggets, have been awful. Their -12.1 net rating is somehow only fourth to bottom, but that’s generally the basement for team net rating. The Jazz are also bad, but they’re not a complete clown show. Their -6.7 net rating will prevent them from challenging for the play-in, but they’re a competently bad team. I generally like to watch two poor teams square off because a fair fight is a whole lot better than a bloodbath.

Saturday - November 29

Early Slot: Boston Celtics → Minnesota Timberwolves (5:00 PM) NBATV

It’s crazy, but the Celtics might be kind of good. Usually, when you lose players of the quality of Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis, and replace them with Anfernee Simons and Neemias Queta, you fall into this little thing called an endless pit of despair. Instead, the Celtics are 9-8 with an impressive net rating of +4.8. If it weren’t for horrendous luck in close games, we’d be talking about Joe Mazzula for Coach of the Year. The Timberwolves remain in the class of teams just outside of the true contender circle. Unfortunately, that means they’re probably the fourth-best team in their own conference. At the end of the day, these are two of the better teams in the league, and anytime that happens, it’s worth a view.

Late Slot: Denver Nuggets→ Phoenix Suns (9:00 PM)

The Nuggets’ newfound depth is being challenged thanks to injuries to Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, which raises the question: Are you actually deep if one injury ruins your depth? Regardless, Nikola Jokic is one of the most enjoyable players to watch in basketball history, and the Suns are at the very least frisky.

Sunday - November 30

Early Slot: Toronto Raptors → New York Knicks (6:00 PM)

The two biggest cities in northeast North America square off in a game that people are saying will be on League Pass at around 6:00 PM. The Raptors look like a legit playoff team, while the Knicks are trying to weather a mini-injury crisis. Right now, the Raptors have an SRS of 5.09, and the Knicks have an SRS of 5.10. Theoretically, these are two of the most evenly matched teams in the league, and since they’re both good, that should make it a fun game.

Late Slot: New Orleans Pelicans → Los Angeles Lakers (9:30 PM)

When your options are either watch the Pelicans play the Lakers or watch the Grizzlies play the Kings, you should pick the game that features both Luka Doncic and LeBron James. That’s not a rousing endorsement, but the chance that you see a 50-point triple-double is about as high as it can get. The Pelicans, despite all the real doom and gloom, at least have Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and their rookie duo of Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. It’s not a must-watch, but for a team that has been so pathetic, it at least offers some hope for entertainment.

For any inquiries about work, discussion, and the like, you can email me at nevin.l.brown@gmail.com.