Atlanta at Memphis

Ball Don't Lie celebrated its two-year anniversary last week, and I regret to inform you that we've yet to feature Ken "the Snake" Norman prominently in a post. This is on us, fully, and on behalf of each of Ball Don't Lie's contributors, I apologize.

The Hawks are in Memphis tonight, fresh off an unscheduled three-day rest that follows the cancellation of the team's Saturday night contest in Washington D.C. Atlanta has been nervous on the road of late, but a chance to get into the "teeth" of Memphis' rather iffy defense could have Mike Woodson's crew licking its chops.

The Grizzlies? They're floundering, with three losses in a row and a bonafide second round team about to attack its home arena. Of course, with this much talent, Memphis is due for a revival, and because the Hawks play such silly ball away from Philips Arena, we could have ourselves a game.

We've got 11 games tonight, actually, as the NBA tries to cram it all in before the All-Star break hits on Friday. Document it all, and share your favorite bird vs. bear stories in the comment section.

Atlanta Hawks: 32-17, 90.9 possessions per game (26th), 111.4 points scored per 100 possessions (fourth), 106.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (11th).

Memphis Grizzlies: 26-24, 93.3 possessions per game (10th), 109.1 points scored per 100 possessions (10th), 109.9 points allowed per 100 possessions (24th).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

San Antonio at Los Angeles Lakers

Part of me — a big part of me — wants to point you toward Golden State and the Mavericks. Those teams, even before the classic 2007 playoff series, have gone at it for years. People may not have been paying attention — remember this nonsense? It happened the same night as this brilliance — but the Warriors and Mavericks are natural enemies. Dog and cat stuff, here, lovelies.

The problem with that is that the Warriors have about 1.75 players on their roster that recognize this enduring reality. Why? Because they're hurt. Too many injuries. Same reason (no Chris Paul(notes)) that I'm not staring straight at the Hornets and Magic.

Lakers and Spurs? This goes back a while, as well. The Lakers used to own the Spurs. Made great Spurs teams timid. And yet, the two most underachieving Lakers teams of our lifetime — those 1999 and 2003 mugs — lost to the Spurs in the playoffs in series that weren't even close.

Two TNT games, tonight, amongst the three. Not sure why. Don't care why. Comment away.

Los Angeles Lakers: 39-13, 93.4 possessions per game (eighth), 109.5 points per 100 possessions (ninth), 102.6 points allowed per 100 possessions (fourth).

San Antonio Spurs: 29-20, 91.4 possessions per game (22nd), 110 points scored per 100 possessions (seventh), 104.8 points allowed per 100 possessions (10th).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

Chicago at Atlanta

This is where we gauge teams like this. The middle of the season, various reasons to go different directions, all sorts of types of play that can create insight into just what the particulars on each team are thinking.

What the heck am I talking about? Well, the Hawks have had a lot of success lately handing the ball to Joe Johnson(notes) and getting out of the way. And Joe's been terrific, scoring efficiently and either winning games for Atlanta or keeping things close. But you can't win huge heaps of games that way, and with a team that has all sorts of scoring options both inside and out, a player like Johnson doesn't have to pull an Allen Iverson(notes) in 2001-act. No reason for it.

Chicago? All sorts of reasons to skulk away and lose this game. For one, this is a mopey team, and they've lost two rather dispirited contests in a row to the Clippers and 76ers on the heels of an impressive five game road winning streak. This team has been in Atlanta before, this season, on the same network, and lost by 35 points. And that game looked a lot worse.

So they can mope, or they can win. Their call.

Johnson can chuck, and Atlanta can win, or Johnson can chuck and Atlanta can lose. We appreciated his star turn, but at some point he's going to have to realize that this little burst is what it is -- just a little burst. Even if he shoots 18 of 27 tonight. It can't last forever, and Al Horford's(notes) going to need some looks.

Some great games on tonight. Stay safe and warm, East Coasters, and stop throwing that Frisbee around, left coasters. Both sides? Comment away.

Atlanta Hawks: 31-17, 91 possessions (26th), 111.5 points scored per 100 possessions (fourth), 106.4 points allowed per 100 possessions (13th).

Chicago Bulls: 23-24, 93 possessions per game (14th), 101.3 points scored per 100 possessions (28th), 104 points allowed per 100 possessions (seventh).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

San Antonio at Portland

I get it. I get that LeBron James(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) are good mates, and that they're two of the best basketball players in the game today. I also understand that the last time these two met, for one (second) quarter at least, the two produced perhaps the nicest back and forth we've seen in the NBA this season.

Also understood is the fact that Tony Parker(notes) is out for the Spurs game tonight, and that Brandon Roy(notes) is out for the Trail Blazers (more than likely). And that both teams played last night, on the road.

This will still be the better game. Why? Because things are going to even out, and despite a defensive rep, both the Trail Blazers and Spurs are two of the better offensive teams in the NBA. This game might not top 85 possessions, and yet it will be a shootout.

You've heard of Lawler's Law? This is McMillan's Law: First to 85 points, making 50 percent of your shots, wins.

Also, Wade and LeBron. That'll probably be worth watching, as well. Comment away.

San Antonio Spurs: 28-19, 91.4 possessions per game (23rd), 110.2 points scored per 100 possessions (seventh), 105.1 points allowed per 100 possessions (10th).

Portland Trail Blazers: 29-22, 87.4 possessions per game (30th), 111 points scored per 100 possessions (fifth), 107.8 points allowed per 100 possessions (18th).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

Phoenix at Denver

I'm the biggest NBA fanboy you'll find, but even I can admit that Wednesday's 11-game slurge is nothing worth paying much attention to.

There are sound teams playing, but because this league seems to be just fall apart at the seams due to all these injuries, every potential winner seems trounced by a significant malady.

Then there's Charlotte, and the Lakers. Charlotte will beat the Lakers, they always do. Oh, Charlotte might be struggling, the Lakers are awesome, and Andrew Bynum(notes) might forkstab Gerald Wallace(notes); but Charlotte beats the Lakers. That's what they do.

The Suns are always a fallback, but when you think about it, this is the best we have going tonight.

Carmelo Anthony(notes) is still no sure thing in terms of suiting up, but the Nuggets have enough offense to get by. Particularly if newly-assigned All-Star Chauncey Billups(notes) can keep Steve Nash(notes) from ... well, nobody keeps Steve Nash from anything.

But it should be a fun one. And as a late ESPN game, there is an oft-chance we'll get to hear that most wonderful (and rare) of pairings: Hubie Brown and Kevin Calabro.

Eleven games. Comment away.

Denver Nuggets: 33-15, 95.1 possessions per game (fifth), 111.8 points per 100 possessions (second), 106.1 points allowed per 100 possessions (13th).

Phoenix Suns: 29-21, 96 possessions per game (fourth), 114.1 points scored per 100 possessions (first), 111.8 points allowed per 100 possessions (29th).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

Atlanta at Oklahoma City

Well, yes, any Oklahoma City Thunder presence allows us the chance to use old Seattle SuperSonic photos, and this was actually from a game against the Hawks in 2000. I'm guessing Horace Grant is a few seconds removed from reminding Gary Payton(notes) about the way he chucked a barbell at him, the year before, while trying to hit Vernon Maxwell. Something like that.

As it was on Monday night, Tuesday's seven game slate provides for some good potential viewing. I went with the Hawks and Thunder, again, but there will be others. Oh, there WILL be others.

Cleveland and Memphis, perhaps, played in Ohio. The Grizz are coming off a moving close win against the Lakers, and the Cavaliers have won eight straight. Or Milwaukee and Orlando, which might be a game if the Bucks can keep the free throw disparity within 74.

The Raptors in Indiana? The Rockets in Golden State to close the night out? These should be fine outings.

I'm going with the Hawks and Thunder again, though, because I think we'll get a competitive contest with some sound slashing, pointed transition attempts, and a good blend of play on both sides of the ball. The Hawks held Kevin Durant(notes) to "just" 29 points on "only" 7-19 shooting when these two went at it on Jan. 18, but Oklahoma City still won that one, in Atlanta. I see no reason why the rematch can't be close.

Comment away.

Atlanta Hawks: 30-16, 91.1 possessions per game (26th), 111.4 points scored per 100 possessions (fourth), 106.1 points allowed per 100 possessions (12th).

Oklahoma City Thunder: 26-21, 92.3 possessions per game (18th), 105.9 points scored per 100 possessions (19th), 103 points allowed per 100 possessions (sixth).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis

This is a pretty happenin' night, actually.

Seven games, a random Monday that you won't remember by the time June hits, but we've some solid matchups to take in.

Boston and Washington should be pretty cool. The ‘Zards (copyright onhoops.com, 1997) are a disappointment, and who knows if the C's were looking past the Lakers in anticipation of this epic matchup. Milwaukee and Miami? Evenly matched, in my eyes. Phoenix and NOLA? Goes down a bit, with Chris Paul(notes) out (what doesn't go down a bit, with Chris Paul out?), but this still should entertain. Sacto and Denver? Over/under, 250. Even with Carmelo Anthony(notes) in smartly attired civvies.

Utah and Dallas? Why isn't that the game of the night? Does anybody remember May of 2001? Calvin Booth(notes)? Can you hear me, doctor? Charlotte and Portland? Tell me that isn't the tops. Tell me!

I'm going with the Grizz and the Lakers. You know that Memphis will be up for this game, and I've a feeling that Los Angeles will be perked, too. Nobody hates an obvious storyline like the champs, and waltzing into a Central Standard town the day after downing the team that topped them in the Finals two years ago? It's too obvious. The Lakers will be ready.

They should be, at least. Let's find out together.

Great hoops tonight. Comment away.

Los Angeles Lakers: 37-11, 93.7 possessions per game (eighth), 109.3 points scored per 100 possessions (ninth), 102 points allowed per 100 possessions (third).

Memphis Grizzlies: 25-21, 93.3 possessions per game (10th), 110 points scored per 100 possessions (seventh), 110 (!) points allowed per 100 possessions (25th).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

Memphis at San Antonio

Your typical ranch stash on this Friday night, 12 games, plenty of contenders; and while Atlanta's seemingly 15th yearly meeting with a dog-tired Celtics team is on the sked, we're thinking Memphis and San Antonio might be worth paying attention to.

The Spurs haven't even hit the Rodeo Trip yet, and the team is already dragging - searching for everyone short of Marvin Barnes to add poor character yet 20 and 10 to a frontline that is lacking beyond Timmy Duncan.

The Grizzlies? They just gave us an All-Star, Zach Randolph(notes) no less, and are currently seventh in the West. The Grizzlies! Seventh! Zach Randolph! Intrigue!

This is in San Antonio, though. And even though the Spurs are without Tony Parker(notes), they can still put points on the board against a Grizzlies defense that is still routinely poor.

Twelve games, bounce around, comment away.

San Antonio Spurs: 26-18, 91.3 possessions per game (23rd), 110.1 points scored per 100 possessions (eighth), 104.6 points allowed per 100 possessions (10th).

Memphis Grizzlies: 25-19, 93.5 possessions per game (110.1 points scored per 100 possessions (seventh), 109.8 points allowed per 100 possessions (23rd).

Boston at Orlando

Tonight is going to be fantastic. It should be, at least.

Toronto and New York could be a TNT game, full serve. Dallas and Phoenix have one of the best rivalries in the NBA, to say nothing of two of the most entertaining squads in this league.

Boston and Orlando played a seven game playoff series last season. That's enough to highlight the rematch, to say nothing of the fact both squads will be duking it out for the rights to represent the Eastern Conference in this June's Finals.

I suggest you clear the DVR, the Tivo, the VCR, the PVR, your mind. This is fodder, material, data that we'll need to use in spring. Even the Raptor-y, Knicks-y bits. How else are you going to know how Nate Robinson(notes) will work on the Celtics when they play Toronto in the first round?

The games, I guarantee, will also be wicked fun.

Pay attention, comment away.

Boston Celtics: 29-13, 91.7 possessions per game (22nd), 107.9 points scored per 100 possessions (13th), 101.4 points allowed per 100 possessions (first).

Orlando Magic: 29-16, 93.1 possessions per game (12th), 108.3 points scored per 100 possessions (11th), 103.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (fifth).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

Chicago at Oklahoma City

Some youngsters, goin' at it. I kind of like the idea. The Thunder and their defense could absolutely destroy the iffy-shooting Bulls in The City, and this won't be the shootout you'd expect (both teams think D first), but these matchups intrigue.

Chicago's going for a fourth straight, by the way, which would be a season-high. Oklahoma City's trying not to lose its third straight. Chicago's been a road hog, OKC's been a dog on the road of late, but they're back home. It's not that something has to give, it's that I like watching a lot of these guys play basketball. Pay attention.

Beyond that, tons to watch. Eleven games, including a Pacers/Lakers tilt on NBA TV (those two always seem to play competitive bouts, for whatever reason), and some middle-America contests that are just screaming at me.

Atlanta in San Antonio. Denver at Houston. Utah at Portland. I listen to NPR, so Portland is "middle-America" to me. Three potential great ones.

Should be a fun night. Comment away.

Oklahoma City Thunder: 24-20, 92.1 possessions per game (18th), 105.9 points scored per 100 possessions (21st), 103.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (fifth).

Chicago Bulls: 21-22, 92.9 possessions per game (14th), 101.6 points scored per 100 possessions (28th), 104.5 points allowed per 100 possessions (ninth).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.