Friday's NBA Guide: LeBron in Boston

NBA Guide gives you a daily look at all the games that matter ... and some that don't.

Cleveland at Boston
8PM ET, ESPN

Kevin Garnett will miss another game, which adds a ready-made excuse for the Celtics in case of a loss, and could -- in TV-analyst speak -- put a ton of pressure on the Cavaliers. If, after all, the Cavs can't win in Boston (where they've dropped six straight) with K.G. missing, how can the team expect to get a postseason victory there?

In all actuality, that pressure shouldn't exist and means nothing. The Cavaliers struggled in Detroit before LeBron punked the Pistons in the infamous Game 5 of 2007. Not to sound like a parishioner down on his luck and high on his faith, but through LeBron all things are possible. Even winning a theoretical Game 7 in Boston.

So while this should be a maddeningly entertaining game, don't let the litany of post-game acclaim or blame hold too much salt come May. Playoff Atmosphere, that's dandy. But The Playoffs are different. Take only glimpses and observations from the regular season, not mandates of fate.

Phoenix at Houston, 8:30PM ET

The idea of the Rockets dropping 130 points fills my eyes with joy. Jeff Van Gundy? He's liable to punch a wall.

Houston's defense sits at No. 4 in the league, nearly as high as anything JVG and Tom Thibodeau put together. Everyone (the Maloofs) who ever said Rick Adelman couldn't coach defense (a majority of Sacramento) needs to (Charles Barkley) apologize (Kenny Smith) to the man (Eric Musselman) right (Tom Tolbert) fricking (Marty McNeal) now (Tom Ziller).

New Jersey at Orlando, 7PM ET

In all likelihood, I won't seek out a minute of Nets-Magic given an overall splendid slate of games. But Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson need some pub for this (old) Halloween clip. Enjoy.



Dap to The Blowtorch for bringing this outta the vault.

Miami at Toronto, 7PM ET

Atlanta at Charlotte, 7PM ET

Golden State at Detroit, 8PM ET

Milwaukee at Chicago, 8:30PM ET

Washington at San Antonio, 8:30PM ET,

Minnesota at L.A. Lakers, 10:30PM

Denver at Utah, 10:30PM ET, ESPN