Jan. 20 Doubleheader on NBC: Wolves @ Thunder, Warriors @ Lakers. The first game of Rivals Week is a rematch of the Western Conference Finals where the Thunder won 4-1. Anthony Edwards is a huge competitor and loves good competition, so he will want to make a statement and get his revenge on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Lastly, Stephen Curry and LeBron James are the biggest player rivalry in the NBA today considering they played each other four consecutive years in the Finals. We do not know how much longer we will get to watch these two legends play, so we have to appreciate them.
Jan. 21 Doubleheader on ESPN: Pistons @ Knicks, Mavs @ Spurs. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson are probably the two best point guards in the Eastern Conference now that Tyrese Haliburton is out for the entire of next season. This is also a first round rematch where the Knicks won 4-2. Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper were the top two picks and who does not love a good big man duel of Anthony Davis vs. Victor Wembanyama? Kyrie Irving could also be back, so we could get him vs. De'Aaron Fox. A nice Christmas Day rematch, this time in San Antonio.
Jan. 22 Doubleheader on Amazon: Lakers @ Wolves, Rockets @ Suns. A first round rematch will be interesting. A lot of people were saying the Lakers need a center and they should be contenders. Now, they got their guy, DeAndre Ayton and they will have to prove themselves against the team they lost to in the first round last season. The second game of the night shows Kevin Durant returning to Phoenix for the first time.
Jan. 23 Doubleheader on Amazon: Bucks @ Pacers, Nuggets @ Clippers Myles Turner returns to Indiana in the early game of the doubleheader. He spent ten years there and out of all teams he left for, it was the Bucks, arguably Indiana's biggest rival today. Nuggets vs. Clippers was a really fun and interesting series last year. Both of these teams have certainly got better this offseason and considering it would be in the Intuit Dome, this game would be fun.
Saturday Primetime on ABC: Cavs @ Knicks, Spurs @ Rockets, Lakers @ Mavs. The Cavs and Knicks are probably the favorites to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. Last year, the Knicks went 0-12 against the Cavs, Celtics, Thunder, and Lakers in the regular season. They will have to show they can beat real competition. The second game of the tripleheader is a battle of Texas, Wemby and the Spurs vs. Durant and the Rockets. These are two young teams with bright futures. The third game is a rematch from Opening Night, this time in Dallas. I do not really need to explain myself again. Luka returning to Dallas on Saturday Primetime would be fire.
Sunday Night Basketball on NBC: Nuggets @ Thunder. A rematch from the playoffs and from the first week of the season, this time in the loudest arena in the NBA. Nikola Jokic and this Nuggets team will try to get their revenge against SGA and the Thunder. We just need this badly. The best player in the world against the best defense in the league with the loudest crowd too.