The second half of the season is when those at the top of the league really start to distance themselves and the true contenders start to emerge for the championship. This week, the NBA is filled with many matchups that could be previews of the playoff series this April, making them must-watch experiences.
The most stunning moment of the season is undoubtedly the Dallas Mavericks moving on from one of the league's greatest young talents Luka Dončić, sending him to the Los Angeles Lakers. After a slow start nursing a calf injury, Dončić has returned to form with a 32 point, 10 rebound and seven assist game against the Denver Nuggets. The next matchup the Lakers have is against Dončić’s old team this Tuesday, 10:00 p.m. on TNT. This is the first meeting of the two teams since Dončić was traded and makes this a crucial revenge game for any NBA fan. Dončić did not indicate to the Mavericks that he wanted a trade out of the organization that acquired him back in 2018, so it will be interesting to see what he can do to get back at the team that traded him unprompted.
Anthony Davis was the centerpiece of the return for the Mavericks but he will miss this game with a groin injury. Davis was a Laker since 2019, winning a championship with them in the 2020 season and will receive a tribute in the game for his contribution. There is a chance that they may meet in the playoffs so being able to get a feel for each other in the regular season could prove beneficial come playoff time.
One of the saddest stories that has developed recently is the news of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama being shut down for the season with deep vein thrombosis. That injury will make the Spurs’ push to enter the play-in very difficult, but it will give them a chance to evaluate some of their young talent. The Spurs will have a chance to showcase that other young talent, Wednesday against the Houston Rockets at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.
The Rockets have an amazing young core of players like all-star Alperen Şengün, who is averaging 19 points and around 11 rebounds, who head coach Ime Udoka has turned into a star. At the deadline, the Spurs acquired former Clutch Player of the Year award winner De'Aaron Fox, who will have an opportunity to showcase to the Spurs why they traded for a star point guard in his prime. This matchup has a chance to be a preview of two squads that could be competing for the Western Conference for years to come so getting a look at this matchup before that will be very entertaining to say the least.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a great team, but under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, they are on a historic pace setting franchise records routinely this season. Defending champion the Boston Celtics have been dominating as well, establishing themselves as that upper echelon of teams in the league this season. The Celtics and Cavaliers are both looking like the best teams in the east so their Friday matchup at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN could be a preview of this year's Eastern Conference finals.
The last time these two teams met was on Feb. 4 in which the Celtics were able to beat the Cavaliers 112-105. After the game, general manager Koby Altman found that the Cavaliers needed more size from the wing position. Altman traded for Atlanta Hawks sixth-man De’Andre Hunter in what looks like one of the best moves of the deadline. Trading for Hunter not only gives Cleveland much needed length at the wing, but also locks up another young piece to fit alongside the young core for the next three years. Both these teams are gearing up to win the Larry O’Brian trophy and this matchup will be one of the biggest tests for both sides this season.
This week see’s a variety of must-see basketball for any hoops enjoyer. Dončić’s revenge match makes this week’s list, but alongside that the matchups with the Spurs vs. Rockets and Cavaliers vs. Celtics, this is a great week to get back into basketball with the season coming down the home stretch and playoffs only a few months away.
Jasper Greuel is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Jasper about his column? email him at jg453620@ohio.edu.
