NBA Guide gives you a daily look at all the games that matter ... and some that don't. Houston at New Orleans, 8 PM ET
The Rockets visit Louisiana in a truly handsome match-up for fans of speedster point guards running slow-like-poison offenses. At some point in the near future, perhaps April or next Christmas, pockets of bastardly revolution calling for the ouster of Byron Scott in the name of a fully unleashed Chris Paul will sprout. I'd join, were I a revolutionary bastard. But I'm cool with the mundane Paul-to-Peja so long as cohabitation with Paul-to-Chandler is plausible.
On the other end, you could imagine Houston abandoning its Van Gundian preference for composure at any point. Yao Ming ain't no Blackberry (not mobile), but he covers ground in large strides and rests often. Aaron Brooks screams in motion, and Ron Artest had success in an up-tempo Sacramento stint. Speaking of up-tempo Sacramento stints, it's a surprise Rick Adelman hasn't tried to throttle up with Yao sits. Break out the ponies, man.
Forget the third seed. Our galaxy hangs in the balance of this contest. Don't blow it, dudes.
New Jersey at Denver, 9 PM ET
If Devin Harris doesn't play -- and I don't think Devin Harris will play -- New Jersey could have major trouble scoring on the Nuggets. Keyon Dooling is a spot shooter, Dahntay Jones can make for sad nights against even the Vince Carters of the lig, and Nene might be a top-3 post defender today. (That's a "might be," and that's a Kevin Garnett-Tim Duncan leaderboard.) Provided Carmelo Anthony hasn't LOLed himself back to the bench, I forseee an easy Denver romp.
Portland at Memphis, 8 PM ET
The Blazers got pasted in Atlanta. Memphis shall feel the wrath.
Toronto at Charlotte, 7 PM ET
The Bobcats have faltered, no fault of their own. With Jersey and the Knicks, Charlotte sits 1-1/2 behind Chicago and Milwaukee, who together rest in a virtual tie for the eighth seed. Five teams within 1-1/2 games.
San Antonio at Oklahoma City, 8 PM ET
