From Dec. 31-Jan. 6, there will be 20 games set to air on national TV, for the rest you can catch the action on NBA League Pass.
Sign up for NBA League Pass here
From this week's team to watch to the biggest matchups throughout the week, check below for the week ahead on NBA League Pass.
All times Eastern.
Team to watch: Phoenix Suns
Let’s be honest NBA league pass was made for teams like this year’s Phoenix Suns. When you look at their record of 9-28, they aren’t the most attractive national television team, but for the basketball junky, they’re every bit as exciting as the Golden State Warriors.
The Suns are in arguably the toughest division in basketball with the Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and now Sacramento Kings all looking like playoff teams, which is why they’re currently 0-6 in their own division. However, they have two opportunities this week to break the ice with the Warriors and Clippers both visiting Talking Stick Resort Arena on Monday and Friday respectively.
The Philadelphia 76ers roll into town on Wednesday, on the second night of a back-to-back, which marks the second and final meeting this season between Joel Embiid and DeAndre Ayton. Embiid made a crack about Ayton’s defence on draft night back in June after analyst tried to compare the two bigs.
Don’t compare Ayton to me either... I play DEFENSE
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 22, 2018
The first meeting didn't go quite as planned for Ayton — although he put up 17 points, nine rebounds in the 119-114 loss, he was in foul trouble all night long and Embiid torched him for 33 points, 17 rebounds and three steals.
Ayton has been putting up solid numbers all year long, but the last five games he’s asserted his potential dominance averaging 21.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.4 blocks. It’s clear his offensive game is translating to the league, but where he’s struggled at times is on the defensive end and being able to defend without fouling. In 14 of the 37 games Ayton’s played in so far he’s had four or more fouls leading to him spending time on the bench more than he should. As the game slows down for him, he’ll find ways to affect the game on that end of the floor and he has made progress in that department. With Embiid rolling into town it will be a perfect time to showcase his learnings so far this season.
T.J. Warren’s play has also been a positive for the Suns this season and despite missing some time at the beginning of the month, he’s come back playing great basketball. Warren’s averaging 20.4 points, 4.2 rebounds shooting 49% from the field in December — it’s no surprise that five of the team’s nine wins have come in that stretch.
Devin Booker is the key to the Suns’ success, Ayton may be his perfect Robin, but having Warren as a legit third option gives Phoenix some nice building blocks for the future.
Best Games of the Week
Monday, Dec. 31: Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 1: New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 2: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Boston Celtics 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan 5: Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 6: Washington Wizards vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 7:00 p.m.
