PHOTO: KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES
There are just two and a half weeks remaining in the NBA season so these games are just getting bigger and more important. Teams are fighting to get in the playoffs and teams who know they are in are fighting for better seeding for the playoffs. Here are the top five games of the week in the NBA.
#5- Toronto Raptors @ San Antonio Spurs (Saturday, April 2): The Raptors are looking to tune up before their playoff run. They are the second seed in the East and it is expected to stay that way. They are quietly the two seed and nobody really respects them. This is a game that allows them to see where they stack up against the second seed in the opposite conference. The Spurs are still chasing the first seed but it seems unlikely. This will just be a competitive game between two of the top teams in the NBA. The Spurs will be tested but will ultimately protect their undefeated home record.
Prediction: Spurs 102-97
#4-Boston Celtics @ Golden State Warriors (Friday, April 1): Golden State is continuing their pursuit of the record for most wins in a regular season and do not have many teams remaining with a chance of beating the Warriors. The Celtics are one of those few teams with that chance. They are well coached and play hard. The biggest issue for the Celtics are that the Warriors are having a legendary season and will be at home for this game which means they will win.
Prediction: Warriors 112-100
#3- Atlanta Hawks @ Toronto Raptors (Wednesday, March 30): Two of the top three teams in the East go head to head in this matchup. Both teams are having great seasons but still many people think neither will beat the Cavaliers. The Raptors and Hawks are both trying to build and go further than last season and are also looking for some more respect. The Hawks have been steady all season and I think they steal this one in the six.
Prediction: Hawks 93-87
#2- Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets (Sunday, April 3): James Harden gets to go up against his former team once again but this time in H-Town. Oklahoma City was able to get a four point win when these teams met recently on March 22. Russell Westbrook even had a triple-double. I see this game going the same way. Russell will have a near triple-double and the Thunder will win the game.
Prediction: Thunder 110-104
#1 Los Angeles Clippers @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Wednesday, March 30): These teams may not meet in the playoffs because of the Warriors and Spurs but they are third and fourth in the West. Both teams will likely win their first round series but then the Clippers would most likely meet the Warriors while the Thunder are set to meet up with the Spurs. Crazy things happen in the playoffs and the only way these two teams play one another is if they both get huge upsets. This will be a playoff type game and atmosphere and is the best game of the week. I think the Thunder defend their home court in this one.
Prediction: Thunder 108-105
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