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NBA Week 14 & 15 Preview: Schedule, Milestones, All-Star News & More
NBA week 14 and 15 are here and it’s a jam-packed schedule between MLK Day’s massive lineup and week 15’s All-Star reveals! Here’s your weekly NBA preview!
Oh, how the NBA NEVER disappoints! LeBron James and the Cavaliers are in a deep rut, Russel Westbrook and OKC have finally figured things out, so it seems, Kyle Kuzma and the Lakers continue to be one of the most fun teams to watch, the James Harden and the Rockets are proving to be playoff contenders, and the Kyrie Irving and the Celtics are still dominating. So, where are we during week 14 and 15? — MLK Day has an epic lineup of match-ups including, Finals rivals, the Warriors and the Cavs. And, week 15 will bring major All-Star Weekend announcements you don’t want to miss! Check out the game schedule, milestones, and an impressive rookie spotlight below! Click here for photos of the NBA’s latest campaign — This Is Why We Play.
This year’s rookie class is one of the most impressive group of players we’ve seen in a very long time. Six rookies are averaging at least 13 points per game: Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Dallas’ Dennis Smith Jr. Mitchell leads the Jazz in scoring [18.4 ppg]. No Jazz rookie has ever led the team in scoring. Kuzma leads the Lakers in scoring [16.9 ppg]. And, Simmons is on pace to become the first rookie to average at least 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists since Oscar Robertson in 1960-61. Also, 11 rookies are averaging at least 10 points.
WEEK 14
MLK Day Lineup – January 15
Charlotte Hornets @ Detroit Pistons [12:30 PM ET, NBA TV]
San Antonio Spurs @ Atlanta Hawks [3 PM ET, NBA TV]
Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies [5:30 PM ET, TNT]
Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers [8 PM ET, TNT]
Houston Rockets @ LA Clippers [10:30 PM ET, TNT]
New Orleans Pelicans @ Boston Celtics: Tuesday, January 16 @ 7:30 PM ET, NBA TV — It’ll be an interesting night for the Pelicans’ E’Twaun Moore, 28, as he was originally selected by the Celtics with the 55th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and spent one season in Boston. And, although there’s no bad blood with his former team, he most likely won’t be reminiscing about his days in Boston. Why you ask? — Moore has had a stellar season, posting career highs in scoring and three-point field goal percentage.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder: Wednesday, January 17 @ 8 PM ET, ESPN — Here’s a throwback for you … Veteran Lakers forward Corey Brewer played for Billy Donovan at Florida, winning two national championships on a team that also featured the Celtics’ Al Horford and the Knicks’ Joakim Noah.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Houston Rockets: Thursday, January 18 @ 9:30 PM ET, TNT — Houston’s P.J. Tucker played only 83 minutes during his rookie season [2006-07] with Toronto before heading overseas to continue his career. In 2012, he came back to the NBA and has been one of the league’s toughest defenders ever since. The Rockets are banking on his D making a huge impact for them in the postseason – and in this game vs. Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins.
Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies: Friday, Jan. 19 @ 8 PM ET, NBA LP — It’ll be a big night for Zach Randolph. He returns to Memphis for the first time since signing with Sacramento in the offseason. Randolph, who helped Memphis to seven straight playoff seats, is one of the most popular and skilled players in Grizzlies history. Memphis has already announced plans to retire his No. 50 jersey.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Cleveland Cavaliers – Saturday, January 20 @ 3:30 PM ET, ABC — This is the matchup of the triple-double kings. Russell Westbrook leads the league with 14 triple-doubles this season, followed by LeBron James with seven. Westbrook [93] and James [62] rank fourth and sixth, respectively, on the all-time list.
Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets: Saturday, January 20 at 8:30 PM ET, ABC — The Rockets and Warriors meet for the third and final time this season, tipping off the third season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC.
WEEK 15
Miami Heat @ Houston Rockets: Monday, January 22 @ 8 PM ET, NBA TV
Cleveland Cavaliers @ San Antonio Spurs: Tuesday, January 23 at 8 PM ET, TNT
Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Lakers: Tuesday, January 23 at 10:30 PM ET, TNT
Houston Rockets @ Dallas Mavericks: Wednesday, January 24 at 8 PM ET, ESPN
Boston Celtics @ LA Clippers: Wednesday, January 24 at 10:30 PM ET, ESPN
Washington Wizards @ Oklahoma City Thunder: Thursday, January 25 at 8 PM ET, TNT
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors: Thursday, January 25 at 10:30 PM ET, TNT
Houston Rockets @ New Orleans Pelicans: Friday, January 26 at 8 PM ET, ESPN
Boston Celtics @ Golden State Warriors: Saturday, January 27 at 8:30 PM ET, ABC
NBA All-Star — Week 15 will be an eventful one as the 2018 NBA All-Star Game rosters will be revealed under the new selection format for the first time. The reserves will be announced, followed by the unveiling of the complete team rosters [Thursday, both 7 PM ET on TNT]. Captains LeBron James and Stephen Curry will select the rosters from the pool of players voted in as starters [by fans, NBA players and media] and reserves [by NBA head coaches]. The 67th All-Star Game, featuring Team LeBron vs. Team Stephen, will be played on Sunday, February 18 at 8 PM ET on TNT.
Major Milestones — Cleveland’s LeBron James, Oklahoma City’s Carmelo Anthony and Cleveland’s Dwyane Wade – the first, third and fifth overall picks in the 2003 NBA Draft, respectively – are all on the verge of major milestones. James needs seven points to become the seventh player in NBA history to score 30,000. Anthony is 40 points from becoming the 21st player with 25,000. And, Wade needs 22 points to pass Larry Bird for 32nd place on the all-time scoring list, and 44 points to pass Gary Payton for 31st place.
HollywoodLifers, tell us your picks!
