NBA Weekend TV Schedule, Live Stream & Preview: Los Angeles Lakers & Boston Celtics Renew Rivalry, Warriors and Hawks Look to Remain in First Place
With the NBA All Star skills challenge events and All-Star Game behind us, it's time to get back to standard NBA league play.
After a busy week of work or school, a lot of basketball fans just want hang out this weekend and watch the game they love.
Don't worry, we've got you covered.
This weekend's action begins with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets squaring off at 7 p.m. The Thunder looked to be all but finished earlier in the season without their superstar duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, but they are back in the playoff mix. The Thunder have won seven of their last 10 games and currently hold the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.
In rather unfortunate news, it was recently learned that Chris Bosh has a blood clot in his lung, and he will miss Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Heat made a big move before the NBA trade deadline, acquiring point guard Goran Dragic. Anthony Davis and the Pelicans are two wins out of a playoff spot in the West, so they need this win, especially at home.
By far, the biggest and most exciting match-up Saturday night will be between the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. This game features two very good playoff teams. MVP candidate James Harden will make the Rockets the favorite, but we can never count out the Raptors.
The late night game will be between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers. Blake Griffin recently underwent elbow surgery, but the Clippers should be able to take care of business.
If you liked Saturday's schedule, then you're going to love Sunday's NBA games. Sunday has nine games featuring the best teams each conference, the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors. The Hawks presently sit comfortably with a seven-game lead in the East over the second-place Raptors. Dominican-born center Al Horford has played a huge role in the Hawks success this season. The Hawks will play the Milwaukee Bucks, who are quietly in sixth place in the East standings, having won eight of their last 10 games.
The 42-9 Warriors will take their talents to the Midwest to play the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have been struggling this year without their best offensive player Paul George, but they can still play defense. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson shouldn't have too much trouble adding another victory to the team's win total.
By far the most anticipated game of the weekend will be between the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers. As usual, the Grizzlies have the No. 1 scoring defense in the league thanks to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, and they are in second place in the West with a 39-14 record. Just three games behind them in third place is the Trail Blazers. This game will have a huge impact on the Western Conference standings.
To finish off an exciting NBA weekend, fans can watch the greatest rivalry in basketball history. Sorry, UNC and Duke fans.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will play each other at the Staples Center on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. in Los Angeles. Neither of these teams have performed well this season, but it's always a can't-miss game when these two collide. We won't see previous greats such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird face each other, but Jeremy Lin and Nick Young will be fun to watch.
NBA Weekend Scheule
Saturday, Feb. 21
Thunder at Hornets: 7 p.m.
Pelicans at Heat: 7:30 p.m.
Suns at Bulls: 8 p.m.
Raptors at Rockets: 8 p.m.
Kings at Clippers: 10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Cavaliers at Knicks: 1 p.m.
Wizards at Pistons: 3:30 p.m.
Hawks at Bucks: 3:303 p.m.
76ers at Magic: 6 p.m.
Warriors at Pacers: 6 p.m.
Nuggets at Thunder: 7 p.m.
Hornets at Mavericks: 7:30 p.m.
Grizzlies at Trail Blazers: 9 p.m.
Celtics at Lakers: 9:30 p.m.
All times listed above are Eastern American time zone. You can watch live game streams here.
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