By INSIDEHOOPS.COM

Matchups To Watch

Monday, Dec 25

Magic @ Pacers 3pm ET
(not great teams, but this is NBC's first game)

Blazers @ Lakers 5:30pm ET

Kobe just loudly declared that he's going to "beat up the Blazers" and then enjoy Christmas. These were the West's best last season, and both teams will want to make a major statement on national tv (NBC). Look for Shaq, Kobe and Rasheed Wallace to attempt to cause massive destruction, and Damon Stoudamire to try to use his quickness as an advantage over Ron Harper and M. Penberthy.

Tuesday, Dec 26

Cavs @ Hornets 7pm ET

With Iverson out, these two teams are the East's best. This test is important and we expect a great game and a Hornets win.

76ers @ Jazz 9pm ET

With no Iverson, this should be an ugly defensive battle that the Jazz win. Look for the 76ers to make this one as slow and ugly as possible, as it's their only chance.

Wednesday, Dec 27

Pacers @ Heat 8pm ET

No great matchups tonight, but of the 4 games this one could be good. Miami was on a winning streak, then scored less points in a game than teams used to score in a half back in the 80's. Travis Best could cause problems for Tim Hardaway. Eddie Jones might be neutralized. Look for the Heat to make the most of Mason and Brian Grant inside games, as they score and create. The Heat should be able to pull off this win, unless Best penetrates so easily that Rose and Miller have a field day.

Sonics @ Rockets 8:30pm ET

Francis and Mobley are both hurting. Impossible to predict this game without knowing what their status will be (remember, just because someone plays doesn't mean they're 100% healthy).

Thursday, Dec 28 - great games tonight!

Bucks @ Cavs 7:30pm ET

Look for the Bucks to pull an upset in Cleveland.

Blazers @ Jazz 8pm ET

Look for the Blazers to pull an upset in Utah.

Lakers @ Suns  9pm ET

Look for the Lakers to take this game seriously and win in Phoenix.

Hornets @ Kings  10:30pm ET

P.J. Brown will try to make life difficult for Chris Webber. Peja against Mashburn is a terrific, even matchup. Baron Davis and David Wesley could come up big. Kings should win but it'll be a battle.

Friday, Dec 29

Cavs @ Hawks  7:30pm ET

This is a weak night, so we're picking this as tonight's best matchup because both teams play extremely tough, smart basketball. The Hawks don't stink anymore - they're not good but they're not awful, either. Jason Terry is fun to watch now that he's a shooting guard. Expect a hard-nosed, intelligent game. With Z.I. out the Hawks could fight and win.

Saturday, Dec 30

Hornets @ Sonics  3:30pm ET

Baron Davis (and David Wesley) vs. Gary Payton is reason enough to pay attention here. Sonics are hot but we see a Hornets win.

Raptors @ Suns  7:30pm ET

An individual thing here. Vince Carter and Shawn Marion could match up. Awesome. Suns should win but Toronto veterans plus Vince can make it really interesting if they're all on the same page that day.

76ers @ Kings  7:30pm ET

Finally a team thing. With Iverson out, the high-intensity Philly defense will be in for a furious battle in trying to stop the hottest offense around in Sacramento. Kings should win.

Sunday, Dec 31

Two awful games today not worth mentioning. Don't even think about the NBA today. Don't check the box scores tomorrow, just have a great new year!

Nationally-televised Games This Week
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Toronto at Minnesota, 8 p.m. (TBS)
Phoenix at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m. (TBS)
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Indiana at Miami, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Thursday, Dec. 28
Portland at Utah, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Saturday, Dec. 30
New York at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Philadelphia at Sacramento, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
San Antonio at Indiana, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Toronto at Phoenix, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

Full Schedule This Week
Monday, Dec. 25
Orlando at Indiana, 3 p.m.
Portland at L.A. Lakers, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Cleveland at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Boston at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at San Antonio, 8 p.m.
Seattle at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Orlando at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Toronto at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Denver, 9 p.m.
Philadelphia at Utah, 9 p.m.
Phoenix at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 27
New York at Washington, 7 p.m.
Indiana at Miami, 8 p.m.
Seattle at Houston, 8:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 28
Boston at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit at Orlando, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Portland at Utah, 8 p.m.
San Antonio at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 9 p.m.
Toronto at Denver, 9 p.m.
Charlotte at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 29
Chicago at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Cleveland at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Washington at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Portland, 10 p.m.
Utah at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 30
Orlando at Boston, 1 p.m.
Houston at Dallas, 3 p.m.
Charlotte at Seattle, 3:30 p.m.
Miami at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
San Antonio at Indiana, 7:30 p.m.
New York at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at Phoenix, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Sacramento, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Denver, 10 p.m.
Golden State at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 31
New Jersey at Chicago, 2 p.m.
Detroit at Washington, 9 p.m.

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