Best spots in the NBA this week

[Raji]

We’ve played over half the season of the long grind of an 82-game NBA season and it will begin to take a toll. Here are some key situational spots to look for this week in the NBA.

Seattle SuperSonics
It has been 16 years since the Sonics were without an All-Star. So this team is not only short on talent, the schedule breaks against them. Seattle plays back-to-back games with Portland this week Thursday and Friday, a talented young team on the postseason bubble. Then they host the Lakers and then head to Golden State, two more potential playoff teams.

In addition, it appears likely the Sonics won't be in Seattle past 2010. The players, coaches and front office must be thinking that they may end up Oklahoma City within a few years. That might even take away any home court incentive teams usually have.

Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is another team to watch this week. The miserable Grizzlies are devoid of talent and they just traded away - OK, gave away - their best player, Pau Gasol. With that in mind, they head out west this week playing at Seattle and at L.A. Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s a difficult back-to-back road spot at the best of times.

Sacramento Kings
The Kings also just traded away a star player (Mike Bibby) and Ron Artest wants out. There are no takers for him just yet.

The Kings play six of the next seven games on the road. If that isn’t bad enough, they played their final three games before the break on the road. So that’s nine in 10 games on the road this week and next.

Boston Celtics
The good news in Boston is that Kevin Garnett hopes to be back this week. The bad news is that the Celtics begin a long West Coast swing this week. Tuesday and Wednesday are difficult back-to-back spots at Denver and Golden State and this weekend they play at Portland and the L.A. Clippers Sunday and Monday.

Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks begin a five-game trip this week, playing at the Lakers Tuesday and at Sacramento Wednesday. Then they play at Golden State Friday and at San Antonio Monday. So in less than a week the Hawks face two of the highest scoring teams in the league in on the road and then head to the defending champs. Good luck, Atlanta.

Raji