NBA:
Tuesday, February 22nd
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
The Warriors were one of the hottest teams in the NBA heading into the All Star break winning seven of their final ten games. They have a tough test coming out of the break as they take on the Eastern Conference leading Boston Celtics. Doc Rivers and the big four got to spend an extra couple of days out in California after the All Star game and the rested Celtics will look to pick up a road win in the great atmosphere of Oracle Arena.
Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers
NBA All Star MVP Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers will get back into action at the Staples Center as they take on Al Horford, Joe Johnson, and rest of the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams struggled heading into the All Star break but with the Lakers finally returning home after a long east coast road trip, look for LA to start the unofficial start of the second half of the season off on a good note.
Wednesday, February 23rd:
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
It’s a battle of first place teams as the young, up-and-coming Thunder travel to San Antonio to take on the NBA leading Spurs. San Antonio has been dominant at the AT&T Center going 25-2 at home during the first half of the season. This should be a great matchup with a lot of star power as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and the rest of the Thunder take on Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and the Spurs.
Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks
Will this be Carmelo Anthony’s Madison Square Garden debut as a New York Knick? After months of trade speculation, we are reaching the apex of MeloGate. With the NBA trade deadline set for Thursday afternoon, there will be a resolution to the Carmelo Anthony trade saga one way or another. There is a strong possibility that Anthony is trading by Tuesday and if that is the case, the Knicks game against the Bucks at MSG will be a must-have ticket for any New York fan. The Garden could be absolutely electric come Wednesday night.
Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trailblazers
It’s a tough back-to-back right out of the break for the Los Angeles Lakers as they travel to the Rose Garden to take on the Portland Trail Blazers. With LaMarcus Aldridge leading the way, the Blazers have reinvented themselves and responded very nicely to all of the adversity they have faced due to injuries. Can Kobe, Gasol, and the rest of the Lakers win a tough road game on a back-to-back or will Portland pick up a big home win to start the second half?
Thursday, February 24th:
Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls
A must watch game as MVP hopefuls LeBron James and Derrick Rose square off in what should be a great matchup. Dwayne Wade will be questionable for his hometown return with a right ankle injury but even if he cannot play, there is still a tremendous amount of intrigue in this game. Both the Bulls and Heat have been playing some of the best basketball in the league over the past two months. This potential playoff preview certainly warrants its national television status.
Friday, February 25th:
Oklahoma City Thunder at Orlando Magic
Looking for something to do on a Friday night? Check out Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder as they travel to Orlando to take on Dwight Howard and the Magic. The Magic have struggled a bit since making two blockbuster trades to acquire Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, and Hedo Turkoglu. Orlando will look to turn things around at home against the Northwest division leading Thunder.
College Basketball:
Monday, February 21st:
No. 20 Syracuse at No. 14 Villanova
Two teams in desperate need of a big conference win square off on Big Monday as the Orange travel to Philadelphia to take on the Wildcats. Villanova won the first matchup between these two schools at the Carrier Dome by a final score of 83-72. The Wildcats will need to shoot well from the perimeter in order to offset the Orange 2-3 zone and pick up a needed home victory against a ranked opponent.
Wednesday, February 23rd:
No. 25 Temple at No. 5 Duke
The Temple Owls will travel down to Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on the Blue Devils in this matchup of two ranked opponents. With both Michael Eric (fractured right patella) and Scottie Randall (foot) out due to injury, the Owls will need Lavoy Allen and Ramone Moore to elevate their play in order to have a chance at an upset.
Cincinnati at #9 Georgetown
The Georgetown Hoyas have been one of the hottest teams in the country and will look to continue their strong play on Wednesday night as they take on the Cincinnati Bearcats. Cincinnati is right on the bubble for the NCAA tournament and a road win against a white-hot Hoyas squad would do a tremendous amount for their tournament resume come March.
Gonzaga at No. 23 Saint Mary’s
Two mid-majors battle it out in this matchup as the Cinderella of the past takes on one of the Cinderella’s from last year’s NCAA tournament. While it has been a down year for the Zags, a road win at Saint Mary’s would certainly help as we head down the stretch run of the regular season.
Saturday, February 26th:
No. 20 Syracuse at No. 9 Georgetown
Another Big East showdown between two top twenty opponents. The Hoyas picked up their first victory at the Carrier Dome of the John Thompson III era two weeks ago. Syracuse is in desperate need of a signature win and could do a lot for their standing in the conference by traveling to Georgetown and coming away victorious.
No. 8 Brigham Young at No. 6 San Diego State
The premier matchup of the week pits two mid majors against one another in an absolute must watch game. Kawhi Leonard, D.J. Gay and the rest of the Aztecs (27-1, 12-1) will take on the nation’s leading scorer Jimmer Fredette and the Cougars (25-2, 11-1). While these two teams might not be as recognizable as the standard names in college basketball, it will be the best game of the week against two worthy top 10 opponents.
No. 15 Florida at No. 22 Kentucky
This showdown pits two of the top three teams in the SEC East as the Gators travel to Rupp Arena to take on John Calipari and the Wildcats. Florida can take a three game lead on the rest of the pack in the standings if they are able to come away with a road victory.
No. 4 Pittsburgh at No. 16 Louisville
The Pitt Panthers (24-3, 12-2) could take a stranglehold a top the Big East standings if they are able to travel to Louisville and pick up a victory over the Cardinals. With Louisville at 9-5 in the conference and grouped in the middle of the pack, a win over the #4 ranked Panthers would be huge for Rick Pitino and company.
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