From Nov. 26-Dec. 2, six games are set to air on ESPN Aus/NZ,
but there are a number of other can't-miss games throughout the
week that can only be found on NBA League Pass.
Sign up for NBA League Pass here
From this week's team to watch to the biggest matchups
throughout the week, check below for the week ahead on NBA League
Pass.
All times Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
Team to watch: Charlotte Hornets
Tuesday, Nov. 27 vs. Milwaukee, 11:00am | Thursday, Nov.
28 vs. Atlanta, 11:00am | Saturday, Dec 1 vs. Utah,
11:00am
Charlotte enters the week at 9-10 after a tough last-second road
loss at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. Despite being one
game under–.500, the Hornets have proven to be one of the more
exciting teams in the league, thanks largely in part to the play of
All-Star guard Kemba Walker.
Through 19 games, Walker's 28.2 points per game pace the Hornets
offence, which ranks fifth in the league in Offensive Rating
(112.7). Walker's scoring average is good for fourth in the league,
behind only Kevin Durant, LeBron James and James Harden. Last
Monday, Walker's 43 points pushed the Hornets past the Boston
Celtics, that performance came just two days after Walker scored 60
points in a loss to the Sixers.
The revamping of the offence can be attributed to first-year
head coach James Borrego, who placed an increased emphasis on
pacing and space from the onset of training camp and Walker hasn't
been the only beneficiary. In his seventh season, Walker's
backcourt mate Jeremy Lamb is averaging a career-high 14.3 points
as a full-time starter for the first time.
While the efficiency is not quite there just yet, second-year
guard Malik Monk is making the most of receiving more opportunity
this year, averaging just under 12 points through 18 games and
rookie forward Miles Bridges is averaging 7.3 points and 4.2
rebounds per game while being a threat to deliver a highlight dunk
on a nightly basis.
Ultimately, it all starts and ends with Walker, who almost
always gives his team a chance to win as evidenced by the number of
close games the Hornets have played this season. 10 of Charlotte's
first 19 games have been decided by five points or less, but it is
just 2-8 in such games. Though the Hornets' late-game shortcomings
can be viewed as a weakness, it's also a point that had a few
bounces gone their way, they could have one of the best records in
the East.
Charlotte's week consists of four home games, two of which are
opportunities to avenge close losses from earlier in the season. On
Monday, the Hornets host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, who
defeated them113-112 on the opening night of the 2018-19 season.
Wednesday, Charlotte hosts Atlanta, who as previously mentioned,
earned a 124-123 win over the Hornets Sunday.
The Hornets close the week with games against rising star
Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz on Friday followed by Anthony
Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday. Sunday's game provides
the exciting prospect of a matchup between Walker and All-Defensive
First Team selection Jrue Holiday.
Best Games of the Week
Tuesday, Nov. 27: Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans
Pelicans - 12:00pm
While he missed Saturday night's loss to the Wizards with a hip
strain, Pelicans All-Star centre plans to play against the Celtics,
setting the stage for two of the league's brightest young
stars.
At just 25, Davis has earned five All-Star selections, three
All-NBA First Team selections and won the All-Star Game MVP in
2017. 26-year-old Kyrie Irving is also a five-time NBA All-Star,
the 2014 All-Star Game MVP and an NBA champion. Each star will look
to lead their team to a much-needed win, as both Boston and New
Orleans have hovered around .500 for the majority of the
season.
Thursday, Nov. 29: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City
Thunder - 12:00pm
Idols become rivals.
Cavs rookie Collin Sexton has said that Russell Westbrook is one
of his favourite players in the league and that he can relate to
him because of his energy on a nightly basis. When Cleveland and
OKC met three weeks earlier, Westbrook was out with a sprained
ankle, so this will be Sexton's first time facing off with the
former MVP.
Sexton is coming on strong as of late, averaging 26.0 points on
61.5 percent shooting in the Cavs two wins over the Sixers and
Rockets.
Friday, Nov. 30: Indiana Pacers
vs. Los Angeles Lakers -
2:30pm
For the first time since eliminating them in Game 7 of the first
round in 2018, LeBron James will take on Victor Oladipo and the
Indiana Pacers.
Who could forget James' legendary performance against Indiana
last year? The four-time MVP averaged 34.4 points, 10.0 rebounds
and 7.7 assists, scoring more than 40 points in Games 2, 5 and 7.
This season, the Lakers have seemingly righted the ship after a
shaky start behind James, who is the league's second-leading scorer
with 28.3 points per game.
The Pacers hope to have 2018 Most Improved Player Victor
Oladipo, who missed all three of the team's games last week with
knee soreness, back before their matchup with the Lakers, which is
the third of a four-game West Coast trip.
Saturday, Dec 1: Atlanta Hawks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 12:00pm
Trae Young's homecoming.
Hawks standout rookie Trae Young is a native of Norman, Okla.,
where he would stay to spend his historic freshman season at the
University of Oklahoma. Friday, Young takes the floor at Chesapeake
Energy Arena for the first time as a pro, and he'll be less than 25
miles away from the town he calls home.
Young will face a big challenge in Thunder guard Russell
Westbrook, but the 20-year-old has proven time and time again that
he isn't the type to shy away from anyone.
Saturday, Dec 1: Orlando Magic vs. Phoenix Suns -
1:00pm
Mo Bamba visits Deandre Ayton.
In a draft that was heavy with talented big men, No. 1 overall
pick Deandre Ayton and No. 6 overall pick Mo Bamba are two of the
most athletically gifted and skilled, but they find themselves in
very different predicaments.
Ayton is currently averaging 16.9 points and leads all rookies
with 10.4 rebounds per game while playing over 30 minutes in a
starter role for a Suns team that enters the week with just four
wins. Bamba, on the other hand is averaging 6.6 points and 4.5
rebounds in 17 minutes per game as a reserve for the Magic, who
enter the week at .500 with a record of 10-10.
While it may take more time for Bamba to reach his potential,
the first of many matchups between the two young centres will be a
great starting point to track the arcs of their promising
careers.