Mavericks vs. Lakers
March 2, 11:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines via Smart GigaPlay and Cignal TV
Luka vs LeBron. Make sure you have your calendar set to watch this game.
Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks have shaken off whatever malaise hit them early in the season, and they are now comfortably in the NBA Playoffs picture at 5th place. Their defense has been one of the best in the league since the start of the new year, and have seemingly had no drop-off despite the Kristaps Porzingis trade.
The Lakers on the other hand are… still in the Play-In Tournament? There hasn’t been much to smile about inside the Crypto.com Arena, particularly with LeBron James’ squad going 3-7 in their last 10 games. Still, LeBron turns up for big-time opponents, and Doncic is as massive a matchup he’s going to get.
We get another preview of a legend going up against a future legend. It doesn’t get better than that.
Heat vs Bucks
March 3, 9:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines via Smart GigaPlay and Cignal TV
In their heart of hearts, despite the disappointing end to their playoff run last season, the Miami Heat know they are more than a match for the defending champions.
They’ve showed it this season, as the Heat are up 2-1 in their head-to-head with the Bucks. A full-powered Miami team bannered by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have the length and nastiness to deal with Giannis Antetokounpo, particularly with Milwaukee still dealing with a bunch of nagging injuries to key players like Brook Lopez and Grayson Allen.
Miami has their own injury issues, but it hasn’t stopped them from rising to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. This is their final chance to send a message to the defending champions.
Cavaliers vs 76ers
March 5, 8:00 AM on TV5/NBA TV Philippines via Smart GigaPlay and Cignal TV
So far, it has been a harmonious start for the James Harden era in Philadelphia. They’ve won back-to-back contests, and there has been no drop off in the production of MVP candidate Joel Embiid after Harden’s arrival. If anything, Harden’s ability to operate both as a playmaker and a leading man should help keep Embiid fresh for a deep playoff run.
The Cavaliers present an interesting challenge for the Sixers though. Jarrett Allen has shown that he’s not afraid of The Process, while Darius Garland will give Harden all that he can handle on the defensive end. The two teams are also neck and neck in the win-loss column, with Philadelphia holding the slimmest of leads at the third seed, and the Cavaliers at fourth.
The Cavaliers should be motivated to pick up this victory and spoil the victory lap of Harden and company.
Grizzlies vs Rockets
March 7, 8:00 AM on NBA League Pass
If there was ever the definition of an “NBA League Pass game,” this has to be it.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is arguably the best show in town. After erupting for a career-high 46 points against the Chicago Bulls, it’s clear that the All-Star has no plans of slowing down. They have their eyes set on perhaps leapfrogging the Warriors to second place in the standings.
The Rockets, meanwhile, have other plans. At 15-45, they’ve been out of the playoff picture for several weeks already, and are more concerned with using the remaining 20+ games to develop their young talent. Clearly, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jae’sean Tate getting better is the team’s priority.
So how can they get better? By throwing out the ball and letting the kids learn on the fly. That makes this match against the Grizz so compelling. Morant is already the whole show by himself, but he’ll be taking on the battalion of youngsters that Houston has.
It can be a beautiful disaster, or disastrously beautiful. Either way, I can’t wait to watch.
