The coming week is going to be loaded with NBA action and match-ups to watch.
It all starts when Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks continue their march towards the Atlantic Division title against rivals Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics on Monday.
The action continues this week when Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin continues to make his case to start in the NBA All-Star Game next month when he goes up against the legendary Steve Nash, followed by the game-changing Rajon Rondo in Boston.
LeBron James and the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat will have their challenges when they play the deadly Indiana Pacers, and rising star Damian Lillard's Portland Trail Blazers.
And Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard and the struggling Lakers hope to change their fortunes when they play the Rockets on Tuesday, followed by a showdown with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and defending Western Conference Champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
Latinos Post breaks down the match-ups for this week:
Monday
Knicks vs. Celtics - The Rivalry Continues
Ever since the Knicks began to rebuild themselves into a legitimate franchise in 2010, both the Celtics and Knicks have insisted their was no rivalry between these two historic franchises that compete ear after year for the Atlantic Division title. For a while, they were right, as Boston, a former NBA champion and deep playoff threats since 2008, was far and away better than the then-struggling Knicks.
Now, the tides have turned.
Powered by Carmelo Anthony's MVP-like season, Tyson Chandler's all-around play and Jason Kidd's leadership and passing and sporting a 23-10 win-loss record, the Knicks are firmly atop the Atlantic Division now, and vying for Eastern Conference dominance along with the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks.
Meanwhile, the Celtics (16-17) are fading fast, having lost six of the last 10 games. Yet, Rajon Rondo is still among the best point guards in the game, while Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce remain threats despite their age.
When the Knicks host the Celtics at Madison Square Garden in New York on Monday, expect a bitter, hard-fought battle between these two division rivals.
Tuesday
Lakers vs. Rockets - Lin vs. Nash; Kobe goes one-on-one with Harden
Jeremy Lin and James Harden are looking like a well-oiled machine as Houston's high-octane backcourt has powered the young up-and-coming Rockets (20-14) to a four game win streak as they look to build momentum towards the second half of the season.
The Lakers (15-18), meanwhile, have been looking old and sloppy, on a three-game losing streak and coming off a demoralizing loss to their cross-town rivals the Clippers on Friday.
Last time these two Western Conference rivals met on Dec. 4, the Rockets pulled out a thrilling 107-105 win behind their bench. This time, though, the Lakers will have Steve Nash at their disposal, setting up a star studded backcourt match-up when Lin and Harden face off against Nash and league-leading scorer Kobe Bryant.
Heat vs. Pacers - the Rematch from last year's Playoffs
Last season, the young and athletic Pacers (20-14) were about two wins away from upsetting the eventual champion Heat (23-9) in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals before LeBron James and company turned it up a notch to take the series, 4-2.
On Tuesday, while the Pacers are missing star player Danny Granger, they still have plenty of firepower to throw at the Heat in the form of the athletic David West (16.8 points this season), Paul George, and George Hill when they face off against Miami's Big Three of James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Wednesday
Lakers vs. Spurs -- Can "Superman" Dwight Howard best Tim Duncan?
For years, L.A. and San Antonio (27-9) have engaged in hard-fought playoff battles in the West.
With the Lakers visiting the AT&T Center on Wednesday, this hot West Coast feud is going to feature a lot of intrigue with Spurs star guard Tony Parker matching up against the Lakers' Nash while the ever-talented Tim Duncan will collide with the strong and dominating Dwight Howard.
Dallas vs. LA Clippers -- Shootout in the Wild West
There's no team in the NBA hotter right now than the Clippers (27-8). Behind Blake Griffin's explosive moves and Chris Paul's dynamic play, the Clippers are turning the West on their heads with their eight-best league offense (101.9 points this season.)
The Mavericks (13-21) have been looking lost all season, with star Dirk Nowitzki recently questioning whether the team is moving in the right direction. Still, Dallas's offense, ranked No. 10 n the NBA with 98.7 points per game, packs a punch with Nowitzki and the sensational O.J. Mayo at the helm.
Expect a fast-paced, high scoring game between two of the league's most exciting offenses.
Thursday
Heat vs. Trail Blazers -- Rookie Sensation Lillard takes on LeBron and Company
Portland has turned their fortunes around, thanks to the rise of rookie star Damian Lillard (18.2 points, 6.4 assists this season) and the play of LaMarcus Aldridge. Now, Lillard faces one of the toughest tests he's had to date when he takes on King James and the defending champion Heat.
Friday
Rockets vs. Celtics -- Lin vs. Rondo; Who's the better point guard?
It's East meets West as the red-hot Lin goes toe-to-toe with Rondo in a must-see point guard battle. While Houston is on the rise while the older Celtics are running out of time, Boston is still savvy and grizzled enough to make sure that whoever wins this game earns it the hard way.
Thunder vs. Lakers -- Kobe vs. Durant; Who owns the West?
Oklahoma City (26-7) is going strong into January, powered by the smooth shooting of Kevin Durant (third in the league with 28.2 points per game) and Russell Westbrook (fifth in NBA total assists, 8.5 per game).
Now, Durant and L.A.'s Bryant collide in what is sure to be an exciting game as the Lakers (fifth-highest league offense, 102.9 points per game) and the Thunder (No.2 in league offense, 105.6 points per game) do battle at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
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