HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

A quick look at the 11-game NBA schedule for Wednesday, March 13, with games ranked in terms of watchability (all times p.m. Eastern):

MUST-WATCH: New York Knicks (38-23) at Denver Nuggets (43-22), 10:30, ESPN

A bunch of familiar faces return to the Rocky Mountains for this game. Five current Knicks players spent time in Denver, a product of New York’s veteran roster and Carmelo Anthony’s influence on the organization. The Nuggets have their own slew of ex-Knicks thanks to the 2011 Anthony trade, and as Knicks fans watch their team sputter down the stretch thanks to age, they may not enjoy watching Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov helping one of the NBA’s hottest teams. The Knicks will have a hard time keeping up with the Nuggets’ relentless pace, particularly if Anthony’s balky knee isn’t feeling well. But at least he will get a chance to catch up with his old pal Rocky.

2. Memphis Grizzlies (43-19) at Los Angeles Clippers (45-20), 10:30

The Grizzlies have passed the Clippers in USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings and won 13 of their past 14 games. But the Clippers have Chris Paul. This game could decide who gets the third seed in the Western Conference, with the advantage to the Clippers for beating the Grizzlies twice already.

3. Miami Heat (48-14) at Philadelphia 76ers (24-39), 7

The weird thing about the Heat’s 19-game winning streak, which by all means should extend to 20, is how it switched from LeBron James reaching 30 points in the first seven games to him not doing so at all in the past seven.

4. Utah Jazz (33-31) at Oklahoma City Thunder (47-17), 8, ESPN

The Jazz really, really need to win this game. That imperative doesn’t help. The Thunder will look to bounce back after Monday’s loss cost them first in the West. They are 28-4 at home. And Utah is a terrible road team.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (34-31) at Atlanta Hawks (34-29), 7:30

All the West bubble teams are playing, which means Kobe Bryant will put on a show to ensure his Lakers maintain their positioning and … [For more on Tonight's NBA schedule: Many Knicks return to old home, click here.]