Watchability Rankings: Best games for week ending in March 6
SI.com's Watchability Rankings will give you the lowdown on the must-see games for the week ahead. Here are the top five games to watch for the week ending March 6. All stats and records through Feb. 25.
Sunday, February 28: Indiana Pacers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The red-hot Trail Blazers will tip off a six-game Eastern Conference road trip in the Midwest. After playing Chicago, Portland will face Indiana, who looks to keep pace with Boston and Miami in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Wednesday, March 2: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The NBA schedule-makers have given a gift to basketball fans, with three of the four LAC-OKC games coming after the All-Star break. The Thunder are in third in the West—one slot ahead of the Clippers—and they'll look to steal another win at the Staples Center after Kevin Durant's game-winning jumper gave Oklahoma City a 100–99 win in December.
Thursday, March 3: Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When the Warriors and Thunder last met on Feb. 27, the game was one Stephen Curry Hail Mary away from double overtime. Curry finished with 46 points and 12 three-pointers in a 121–118 victory. Kevin Durant scored 37 in Oklahoma City's loss but the fans won. The next round will be must-see TV.
• WATCH: Stephen Curry breaks record with three in 128th straight game
Friday, March 4: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz
The surging Jazz are hovering around .500 and fighting for a playoff spot after winning nine of 12 games following a home loss to Detroit on Jan. 25. Utah will have to keep winning if it wants to avoid a potential first-round matchup against Golden State. The Jazz will be put to the test in Memphis in what will be their third consecutive road game against a top-eight team.
Saturday, March 5: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
Cleveland, which remains atop the East, plays host to third-place Boston. The Cavaliers and Celtics have split the season series, with each team winning once on its opponent's home floor. After Boston trailed 101–96 with 18 seconds remaining, Avery Bradley hit a game-winning three at the buzzer to give the Celtics a 104–103 win in Cleveland on Feb. 5. The Cavaliers, currently without Iman Shumpert (shoulder), will put the league's third-best home record to the test in a revenge game against the Celtics.
