Wednesday (12/21)

Best: Wizards @ Nuggets: Denver has been disappointing this year, with losses to several bad teams. They have continued to be a great Home team, which is keeping them in contention. If they're going to be as good as they were at the end of last year, they need to annihilate teams like Washington. So far, they haven't done so.

Runner-up: Clippers @ Pacers: Indiana lost enormously at home to the Clippers early last year, when Ron Artest was still on the roster. With him gone, the Pacers are worse talent wise. But now the team can go on the momentum that propelled them to the postseason last year. It's the Clippers game to win (which I'm not used to saying), so can they deliver?

Blowout: Raptors @ Rockets: T-Mac and company are leading Houston back into contention. Despite all their injuries, a win here against Toronto won't be denied. McGrady has to realize that he shouldn't take stupid fade-aways when he can just drive it to the hoop. Against Toronto, he should have a highlight montage of dunks when it's all over.

Thursday (12/22) [As usual, only two games are on TV this Thursday]

Best: Mavericks @ Kings: Dallas has continued to be a semi-contender in the West, while Sacramento has fallen out of it. Already they have nearly as much home losses as they did last year. They aren't going in any real direction positively. Still, they can score. Defense is problem, as it is for Dallas as well. But they'll need a little more than offense to get anywhere in the West.

Runner-up: Cavaliers @ Bulls: Cleveland is struggling. After a 9-2 start, they haven't gotten much help from anyone but LeBron. When you lose at home to Atlanta, something is seriously wrong. Chicago is inconsistent. The have lost at home to Miami and San Antonio (both were tight losses) but are the only NBA team to win in Detroit. Both teams have shown a capability to be better than they are now. Larry Hughes needs to get 20 points, or he could be fish food for a Ron Artest trade.

Friday (12/23)

Best: Lakers @ Magic: These two teams always produce an entertaining game when it's played in Orlando, so why miss out on this one? Last year, Mobley was injured when they played, so the Magic will face LA with nearly the same team. Smush Parker now guards Steve Francis instead of Chucky Atkins. Otherwise, it's the same team for LA as well.

Runner-up: Mavericks @ Sonics: Two teams, no defense, good offense. Blah, blah, blah you know the drill. The final score should 100-something to 100-something. What's interesting is ESPN pushing this game to ESPN2. What sports game pushed basketball to ESPN2? Why none other than the Fort Worth Bowl. Who the hell watches the Fort Worth Bowl? Houston vs. Kansas? -please. If we're going to boycott the BCS, lets start with this pile.

Blowout: Nets @ Heat: New Jersey's greatest weakness is Center, where Jason Collins is filling the position. Miami's greatest strength is their Center Shaq, so this game should be a blowout. After all, Miami did beat the Nets in a sweep last year. The Payton-Kidd confrontation was always good to watch, but is now impossible just to track, with Payton leaving teams every year. The Nets need to find their place in the East; they'll get a better understanding with this loss.

Saturday (12/24) [There are no games on Christmas Eve] Most of the NFL games move to Saturday though, so you can live without basketball for one day. Kobe-Shaq deux on Christmas.