The NBA is finally returning on July 30th. With a full slate of games almost every day from the 30th to August 14th, we pick the best game of each day for everyone to schedule around. For a game to be the “best” of the day, it needs to have importance in the standings, star power, and be an even matchup. A blowout isn’t much fun to watch unless it’s your team doing the blowing out.
July 30th
Best Game: Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers (TNT)
Current Record: 2-1 Clippers
The battle for LA will most likely be concluded in the Western Conference Finals, but this is the preview that we’re all waiting for. The Clippers will try to put a dent in the Lakers’ 5.5 game lead for first place in the west.
July 31st
Best Game: Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks (ESPN)
Current Record: 1-1
The Celtics are far too behind to catch the Bucks, but this is a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview.
August 1st
Best Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors (ESPN)
Current Record: Raptors 1-0
The Lakers have the second-best record in the league, but the Raptors have the next best record and have enough time to catch up.
August 2nd
Best Game: Milwaukee Bucks vs Houston Rockets (ABC)
Current Record: Bucks 1-0
A possible new chapter in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s and James Harden’s rivalry, the Harden and Russell Westbrook duo will surely make things interesting for the Bucks.
August 3rd
Best Game: Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN)
Current Record: Pelicans 2-0
The probable rookie of the year vs the probable runner-up, the current eight seed vs the favored eight seed, and future all-stars on both teams are only a few of the many storylines of this matchup. The Pelicans are 3.5 games behind the Grizzlies and have a much easier schedule.
August 4th
Best Game: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat (TNT)
Current Record: 1-1
The Heat are only 2.5 games behind the Celtics for third place, so there is a lot on the line here for the two contenders.
August 5th
Best Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN)
Current Record: Lakers 3-0
The surprising Thunder haven’t been able to beat the Lakers yet this season, but they have shocked the entire league and may very well be able to steal this one in their attempt to move up to the 3rd or 4th seed.
August 6th
Best Game: Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks (TNT)
Current Record: Clippers 2-0
If the standings do not change going into the postseason, then the Clippers and Mavericks would match up in the first round of the playoffs. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis vs Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is more than enough reason to tune in.
August 7th
Best Game: Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors (TNT)
Current Record: Celtics 2-1
The Celtics are only 3 games behind the Raptors for the second seed right now, and this is another potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup.
August 8th
Best Game: Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets
Current Record: Nuggets 2-0
The Jazz are a measly 1.5 games behind the Nuggets. Plus, Rudy Gobert vs Nikola Jokic and Donovan Mitchell vs Jamal Murray are always fun matchups to watch. Making up ground for the Jazz will be harder than expected because of the loss of Bojan Bogdanovic so this game is hugely important to Utah.
August 9th
Best Game: Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trailblazers
Current Record: 76ers 1-0
The Trailblazers need all the wins they can get right now and the 76ers will try to remind the world that they are legitimate championship contenders.
August 10th
Best Game: Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks
Current Record: Bucks 2-0
The Raptors will not be able to catch the Bucks in the standings, but they will prepare for what is yet again a possible Eastern Conference Finals matchup.
August 11th
Best Game: Portland Trailblazers vs Dallas Mavericks
Current Record: Mavericks 2-1
The Trailblazers will be scratching and clawing for a playoff spot while the Mavericks will attempt to earn a higher seed than 7th. Also, Damian Lillard vs Luka Doncic.
August 12th
Best Game: LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets
Current Record: 1-1
The Nuggets are 2.5 games back of the Clippers for the 2nd seed. This is a playoff matchup that no one would be surprised to see.
August 13th
Best Game: Milwaukee Bucks vs Memphis Grizzlies
Current Record: Bucks 1-0
This might be the toughest game of the Grizzlies’ brutal schedule to end the season, but this is a resilient Memphis team who will do whatever it takes to defend their 3.5 game lead for the 8th seed.
August 14th
Best Game: Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers
Current Record: Heat 2-0
The Pacers are only 2 games behind the Heat for the 4th seed and Victor Oladipo is presumably healthy. This game and the potential first-round matchup between these two teams will be one of the most evenly-matched series in recent memory.