2014 NBA schedule: Spurs host Thunder in battle of West heavyweights

The Kevin Durant Show invades San Antonio on Wednesday night. Elsewhere, the Bulls face Luol Deng for the first time and the red-hot Pacers visit the desert.

by Jason Patt

Jan 22, 2014, 4:00 PM UTC

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

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NBA schedule: Kevin Durant scores 36, Thunder beat Spurs

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There are 10 games on the NBA slate Wednesday, with several compelling matchups to fill the palate of hoops fans. Let’s go over the menu of games.

Main course: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs

8 p.m. ET, ESPN

It's hard to put into words just how well Kevin Durant is playing at the moment. Durant added to his MVP credentials with another ridiculous performance on Tuesday, notching 46 points in a marquee win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Durant was on his game all night, but he saved his best for last, scoring 11 points in the last three-plus minutes after picking up a technical foul. For the game, Durant shot 17-of-25 overall and 6-of-7 from three.

Now Durant and the Thunder take aim at the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Spurs currently hold a half-game lead in the West over the visiting Thunder, so the winner will hold that top spot at the end of the night.

San Antonio has only lost nine times all season, but two of those losses have come against Oklahoma City. The Thunder beat the Spurs by 13 in San Antonio on Dec. 21, but that was when Russell Westbrook was healthy. Although the way Durant's playing, not having Westbrook isn't the worst thing in the world at the moment.

Appetizer: Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers

7 p.m. ET

Things are going to be just a little weird when Luol Deng and the Cavs play the Bulls for the first time since Chicago traded the versatile forward to Cleveland just over two weeks ago. Deng had spent the entirety of his NBA career with the Bulls prior to the trade, so emotions will likely be running high.

More: Fear The Sword examines whether Deng should be an All-Star Bulls coverage at Blog a Bull

While some thought the Bulls' trade of Deng was a signal the organization was making a play for the lottery, Tom Thibodeau's gritty bunch has rallied around Joakim Noah and won six of eight games since the deal. Noah has been an absolute force, averaging 14.9 points, 14.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in January. D.J. Augustin has also provided a spark, and he'll start in place of the injured Kirk Hinrich.

Meanwhile, the Cavs have gone just 3-3 since Deng joined the team, although the 28-year-old has played well. Deng is averaging 18.7 points on 49.4 percent shooting and 50.0 percent from three in Cleveland.

Dessert: Indiana Pacers at Phoenix Suns

10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

After a hard-fought win at Golden State, the red-hot Pacers continue their five-game trip out west with a game in the desert. Indiana has won five straight and eight of nine.

More: Suns coverage at Bright Side Of The Sun Pacers coverage at Indy Cornrows

Paul George has been dynamite for most of the winning streak, but Lance Stephenson has been just as impressive. Over the last five games, Stephenson has averaged 17.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists as he attempts to make his case for the All-Star Game.

The Suns are just trying to stay afloat without Eric Bledsoe, and although they're just 4-6 since the stud guard went down with a knee injury, they still have a three-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Phoenix is coming off an impressive 117-103 over Denver.