NBA

League Pass Guide to the Week: Can't miss games for March 22-28

and others

• 5 min read

Post-All-Star break is always an exciting time in the NBA with multiple superstar head-to-head matchups slated every week.

In the shorter 2020-21 season, the jam-packed second half schedule means more of those contests to circle on your calendar.

Here's a quick scan through the must-see games for the upcoming week.

All times Eastern.

Monday, March 22

Jazz vs. Bulls - 9:00 p.m.

Four All-Stars take the floor when the Jazz and Bulls meet in Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley and Zach LaVine. Every game matters for the Bulls, who find themselves in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with a 19-22 record.

Tuesday, March 23

Suns vs. Heat - 8:00 p.m

The start of a four-game road trip for the Suns, who have been on an impressive 20-5 run since late January. Their 28-13 record is their best 41-game start to the season since 2007-08.

The Heat will be looking to get back on track having lost three straight after a 11-1 stretch.

With plenty of All-Stars in this one, including Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Jimmy Butler, this contest gives Phoenix the opportunity to win back-to-back games in Miami for the first time since 2008.

Nets vs. Trail Blazers - 10:00 p.m

The hottest team in the NBA will travel West for two tough games of their three-game road trip.

The last time the Nets were in Portland, Kyrie Irving came up clutch and helped them overcome a 60-piece from Damian Lillard. Add James Harden and returning CJ McCollum, and this matchup is must-see basketball, even with Irving expected to miss it.

Wednesday, March 24

Celtics vs. Bucks - 7:30 p.m.

Headlined by the matchup between Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics and Bucks have had some entertaining contests the past three seasons.

In their only game earlier this season, Tatum knocked down the game-winning triple over Antetokounmpo.

Jazz vs. Nets - 10:00 p.m.

After Portland, the Nets travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Jazz, who despite cooling off by going 6-6 in their last 12 games are still the best team in the West.

In their only game earlier this season, the Nets blew out the Jazz 130-96.

Thursday, March 25

Trail Blazers vs. Heat - 7:30 p.m

After playing nine of 11 at home, the Trail Blazers travel East for a four-game road trip which begins in Miami, a place Portland has won just twice since 2011.

Heading into the week, both these teams are ranked in the top five in their respective conference.

Clippers vs. Spurs - 8:30 p.m

The Clippers are 11-11 since the start of February. This game in San Antonio is the first of two in two days against the consistent Spurs.

With Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, this one's a star-studded contest. Will Los Angeles win both to start building momentum or will the Spurs, who are set to begin a huge nine-game homestand this week, play spoiler?

Friday, March 26

Nuggets vs. Pelicans - 8:00 p.m

Any game with MVP candidate Nikola Jokic in it should not be missed. To boot, you have the talented Serbian centre going up against the young sensation in Zion Williamson.

The Nuggets have found it difficult to maintain momentum despite Jokic's incredible play this season. The same can be said for the Pelicans and Williamson, who's been on a historic scoring touch.

Zion Williamson joins Shaquille O'Neal (2000-01) as the only players in the shot clock era to score 20+ points on 50% shooting or better in 20 straight games in a single season. pic.twitter.com/Z3uDjdvxK7
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 21, 2021

This will be the second meeting between both teams in less than a week, with the earlier one being a close-fought 113-108 contest (17 lead changes and seven ties) in favour of the Pelicans.