The NBA season is fully in swing. With some teams already having played 15 games, we’re starting to determine exactly who could compete for a title this season.
The early-season surprises are mostly behind us at this point, but that doesn’t mean teams like the Chicago Bulls, losers of five in a row heading into the week, can’t bounce back and remind us why the entire league feared them for the first two weeks.
Meanwhile, other squads are starting to find their groove. After starting the year just 6-6, the Golden State Warriors have won three straight, including two wins over the talented San Antonio Spurs.
Here are the top-five games to watch for the upcoming week of NBA:
Best NBA games to watch Nov. 18-23
1) Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: NBA League Pass, FanDuel Sports Network, Bally Sports Southeast
The Detroit Pistons were expected to be good this year, but very few people expected them to be at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They’ve posted some impressive wins thus far, but have yet to face a serious Eastern Conference contender like the Atlanta Hawks could be, and to make matters even more difficult, the Pistons will be playing this game as the second of a back-to-back.
2) Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19
Time: 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN, Fubo, NBA League Pass, FanDuel Sports Network
The Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers both appear to be in that second-tier of team in their respective conferences. Neither can seem to take over first-place in the East or West, but they are both teams that are feared by every competitor they face. Now, they square off against one another on an ESPN clash.
Watch Cavaliers vs. Rockets on Fubo
3) Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19
Time: 10 p.m. ET
How to Watch: NBA League Pass, CHSN, BlazerVision
The Chicago Bulls have lost five straight heading into the week and now face a Portland Trail Blazers team that has beaten some of the best teams in the league. The Blazers have also lost to the Los Angeles Clippers and barely squeaked by against the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz. In other words, Portland seems to play up to the level of their competition, and the Bulls might be able to take advantage.
4) Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks
Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Time: 8 p.m. ET
How to Watch: NBA League Pass, FanDuel Sports Network, NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Milwaukee Bucks are perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference, and they were expected to take a big leap forward this year with the addition of Myles Turner. However, through 14 games, they sit right next to the Philadelphia 76ers in the standings, who just got Paul George back from injury. A blowout loss to Philadelphia could be indicative that Milwaukee’s window has come and gone.
5) Portland Trail Blazers at Oklahoma City Thunder
Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch: NBA League Pass, FanDuel Sports Network, BlazerVision
The Oklahoma City Thunder have just one loss on their resume thus far. It came to the Portland Trail Blazers back on Nov. 5. This is an opportunity for revenge for the Thunder, or worse, a reminder that the reigning NBA champions, while obviously the favorites, are still capable of losing. The result of this game could be a beacon of hope to the rest of the league or a reminder that you might get in a solid punch against this Thunder squad, but you won’t win the fight.