I'm aware that the ostensible NCAA Football championship is on tonight, I don't care that it's on tonight, but I am aware of it. So know going into this that I'm not trying to make a plea for you to dump the pigskin for these two games if pigskin is what you're into, and that we're more or less working in a vacuum, save for the Top Gear that I'm Tivo'ing at 9.

Denver is at Phoenix, and the Spurs are at Golden State. If you can, try to watch both games.  

Denver and Phoenix, in spite of Denver's superb defense and above-average (barely, 14^th in the NBA) offense, will be a real treat. Both teams run like mad, both teams are starting to get a little edge to them, and I'm interested to see how the Suns react to Amare Stoudemire's blow-off of practice on Sunday.

San Antonio at Golden State will also be a hellacious game. The Warriors took it to the Spurs on December 11^th, beating them in a 96-84 contest that saw Don Nelson's (above, with Doug Moe) bunch enjoy a 30-12 advantage in the second quarter. Of course, Tim Duncan wasn't around for that one. He'll be around tonight, and I don't think Brandan Wright will be getting another start.

If Wright does start? Cojones, Nellie. Cojones.

Denver: 21-12, 98.6 possessions per game (1^st), 107.8 points scored per 100 possessions (14^th), 103.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (3^rd).

Phoenix: 23-10, 96.2 possessions per game (4^th), 114.2 points scored per 100 possessions (1^st), 107.4 points allowed per 100 possessions (15^th). 

San Antonio: 23-9, 88 possessions per game (28^th), 111.7 points scored per 100 possessions (7^th), 104 points allowed per 100 possessions (4^th).

Golden State: 19-15, 96.8 possessions per game (2^nd), 111.2 points scored per 100 possessions (8^th), 109.5 points allowed per 100 possessions (26^th).

Related: Game to pay attention to