The sports world may be anticipating another Super Bowl, but I know what all of you readers and the NBAtoday.net staff is anticipating: another week of NBA action!! So here’s what’s in store this week..!

Monday

Lakers @ Grizzlies – Ok Grizz Pack, you can get back on track against the Lake Show at home after a couple of losses to end last week. They’ll have a chance to win due to the Lakers winding up an eight-game road trip. Should be a good one! And it’s the battle of the Gasol Bros!

Suns @ Hornets – When two teams are battling for the final spot in the playoffs, you know that anything can happen. Look for an amazing game here.

Mavs @ Jazz – The Mavs have slowed down a tad from a great stretch a month ago, but that doesn’t mean they’re going anywhere. Meanwhile, the Jazz have been streaking and have moved up from out of the playoffs to the fourth seed in a little over a week.

Tuesday

Grizzlies @ Cavs – Sorry Grizz, this is a loss. The fact that they have to play the defending champions on Monday and then travel to Cleveland the next day to play the best record in the league = a loss. But, I still have it listed here in case the improbable happens.

Hawks @ Thunder – Here come the Hawks soaring to the top of the East again, but it could all come back down if they don’t step up against a good home team in the OKC. The Thunder could use some more positive wins and this one would count.

Wednesday

Thunder @ Hornets – If the Thunder want to make the playoffs, they must win games against teams that are ahead of them in the standings that re on the road. This is one of those games.

Suns @ Nuggets – It might be asking too much for the Suns to actually win this game, since it is against one of the best in the NBA. However, they cannot roll over as they have in most road games this season.

Thursday

Heat @ Cavs – Didn’t they just play? Anyways, D-Wade vs. LeBron is usually a good matchup. My favorite part has to be the dunks by each of them. It’s like they always want to one-up each other.

Spurs @ Blazers – How do the Blazers win? It’s a total mystery…but you know that this matchup should be a fun one. The Spurs could use a road win against a team over .500 for some confidence, but Brandon Roy will be standing in the way.

Friday

Bulls @ Hawks – STAMPEDE! Here come the Bulls! This isn’t your father’s Bulls with Jordan and Pippen, but they are winning on the road now – and Jordan could vouch for doing that in the 90s.

Rockets @ Grizzlies – The Rockets held a playoff spot for most of this season, but now they are slowly slipping out of the race. Who is on their tail? Many teams, but that includes the Grizzlies.

Nuggets @ Lakers – Battle of the best in the West and a rematch of the conference finals from last season. If Melo is playing, then you know he’ll look to seek revenge. Either way, Kobe will be ready.

Saturday

Nuggets @ Jazz – Two of the best in the West…did I just say that? Ok, the Nuggets are definitely one of the best, but the Jazz are doing what they can to distance themselves from the rest of the pack.

Lakers @ Blazers – The Lakers always seem to have trouble in Portland, so let’s see if that continues on Saturday.

Sunday

Magic @ Celtics – Last week, the Magic proved that they are better than the Celtics. So what are the C’s gonna do about it? We’ll have to see in Boston on Sunday before the Super Bowl.

5 ‘Super’ Things to Watch This Week

In honor of the Super Bowl, here are five super things to watch in the NBA this week:

1. Will anyone start to distance themselves from the rest of the playoff hopeful pack in the West? – So many teams are so tight at the bottom of the West standings, will that stay?

2. The East is winning! – But can the top 8 teams really stay over .500? It would probably help the credibility of the conference if so.

3. Battle of the Gasol brothers – I am in the minority when it comes to Pau fans, but you can’t dispute Marc’s importance to the Grizzlies.

4. Bobcats on the rise – The Bobcats return home this week to the comfort of Charlotte. I want to see if they start to take their winning for granted or if they continue to warm up that home cookin.

5. All-Star Game approaches – As the ASG becomes less than two weeks away, the league’s best look to prove that they deserve a spot on the roster. If there are any injuries there could be some replacements too. Look for the ‘snubs’ to step it up just in case.

-Shooter