'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Defending Champions Miami Heat who have had their share of close games and upsets have an easy second half of November to look forward to.
If you are an avid follower of the NBA or a true supporter of any of the teams or both, you would have probably been through various emotions after just two weeks of this season.
We have had games which have been upsets, close contests, overtime thrillers and at the same time we have had blowouts too. We have had players making their return from injuries, at the same time we have seen players getting injured. We have seen the emergence of new young talent, at the same time a dip in production from veterans who were expected to click.
We have seen teams who were predicted to struggle sitting at the top half of the Conference, at the same time teams we expected to be a contender have been sloppy and disappointing.
Let me get to the point. The NBA is back and so is its unpredictability.
Keeping in mind the current state of all teams and players here are my predictions on the games not to miss for the remaining half of November. Look, every top team playing against each other is going to be a must watch anyway so my top 5 will suggest to you as many different teams as possible.
November 20: Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks
Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks franchise player Dirk Nowitzki
We have seen these two teams battling at a high level many a times in the past decade. Both team’s offseason acquiring’s have made this state rivalry once again a must watch.
Dallas might not be the best on defense but with Jose Calderon and Monta Ellis in their back court, to support franchise player Dirk Nowitzki, their offense has looked threatening. If they can get their offense to fire on a consistent basis and get the defense together they could be a tough team to be beat.
After early success with a 3-0 start the reality has hit the Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets. Since then, they have won just 2 of their next 6 games. A key weakness of theirs has been brought under the spotlight by the Clippers-their defense. Howard’s struggles at the free throw line late in games haven’t helped their cause either.
November 24: Chicago Bulls vs L.A. Clippers
Derrick Rose and Chris Paul will certainly put on a show going at each other.
Labeling this as just a battle of the point guards would be unfair to the rest of the roster of both teams. The point guard match-up will steal the show no doubt but this game will have a lot more in it for the viewers.
The battle of the front courts is not to be missed. The Clippers have one of the most athletic front courts in the league while the Bulls rely on their front court duo for defense more than offense.
The Clippers lead the league in points scored while the Bulls have been known for their team defense. Both teams also have excellent perimeter defenders at the 3 spot-Jimmy Butler and Luol Deng for the Bulls and Matt Barnes for the Clippers.
This inter conference match-up will see Doc Rivers go up against his former assistant coach with the Celtics in Tom Thibodeau.
Final word: Do not miss this match.
November 25: Indiana Pacers vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Love’s return to form has been a reason to cheer for the Timberwolves fans
It’s a show down of offense against defense.
Their record might not be too impressive but the Timberwolves offense has been hot this season with the return of Kevin Love and the acquiring of Kevin Martin in the offseason. Meanwhile the Pacers are the lone team to be undefeated in the NBA this season.
The Timberwolves offense ranks fourth in the league in points scored while the Pacers defense leads the league in points allowed. These teams have very contrasting styles of play and it will certainly be an interesting contest to watch.
For the first time this season, Roy Hibbert might meet his match in Nikola Pekovic. Come on I did not mean on the defensive end of the floor, I meant on the offensive end and on the boards. Pekovic is a very physical rebounder with a lot of size which could help contend against Hibbert.
The Pacers were predicted as title contenders prior to the season and their perfect start has just proven that they are the top team to dethrone the Miami Heat in the East. At the same time the Timberwolves is a team on the rise with the roster finally being collectively healthy.
November 27: San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder
A battle of the previous two Western Conference Champions should not be missed
The return of Russell Westbrook certainly makes this rivalry a must watch this season. A match-up between the past two champions of the Western Conference is expected to be a thrilling contest.
Both teams are currently hot and each will look to keep their winning streak going. It is pleasantly not surprising to see the teams at the top of the Western Conference once again. None of the teams impressed in the preseason or in the first couple of games in the regular season.
After winning the season opener, they lost 2 days later against the Minnesota Timberwolves but ever since that loss Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder have won 4 straight games and would look to keep the streak going. Russell Westbrook made his return in the opener on the home floor against the Phoenix Suns and has been a key factor in the Thunder streak.
The lone loss for the San Antonio Spurs came in the third game of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers. I’m pretty sure the Blazers consider themselves lucky to win against such an experienced and strong team. They have beaten title contenders as well as lottery contenders and are currently on a 2 game blowout streak.
November 30: Memphis Grizzlies vs Brooklyn Nets
The change in head coach might have something to do with the Grizzlies struggling this season.
Two teams predicted to be title contenders, if not at least be placed at the top half of the league are struggling on the opposite half of the Conference.
Despite adding Mike Miller to the same core of players who lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Finals, the Grizzlies have struggled this season with a record of 3-4 in two weeks of action. Maybe the change in coaching staff had something to do with it but the Grizzlies’ last season league leading defense is now ranked 12th.
The Brooklyn Nets are not far behind. Other than the one point victory over the Miami Heat their performance this season has been nothing but disappointing. They have a starting line-up boasting of a total of 35 All-Star selections yet the team has struggled in the clutch to close out games. Their offense has struggled and early results on the performance of their stars acquired from Boston have been moderate.
Two struggling teams eager to rise to their expectations would certainly be an exciting one to watch. Also the contrasting styles of play. It will be a match-up between the Nets offense and Grizzlies defense.
