There are 11 games on the NBA schedule Wednesday night, but the majority of the focus will be on AmericanAirlines Arena, where the two best players in the world will be squaring off. Let’s talk about it, shall we?
2014 NBA schedule: LeBron James and Kevin Durant square off in Miami
The two best players in the world go head-to-head on Wednesday night.
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Main course: Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant. It doesn't really get much better than this. And with Durant staking his claim as the MVP frontrunner, one has to imagine James will have a little extra pep in his step.
Who is the best player in the NBA
Hot Hot Hoops compares LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Durant, quite simply, is otherworldly right now. He's averaging 36.9 points on 54.0 percent shooting in January. He's coming off a 41-point game that saw him hit a game-winner over a double team against the Atlanta Hawks. He basically can do no wrong, leading the Thunder on an eight-game winning streak.
Then there’s James, who’s cruising along this season with a robust shooting percentage of 57.9 percent. In most seasons, James’ numbers would be MVP worthy, but not this year. Not with Durant playing like he is.
Buckle up.
Dessert: Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET
The second game on ESPN features the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls, which certainly looked like a good idea before the season. But now everybody is hurt, so that one has little appeal. Instead, focus your attention on another game in Texas.
The Rockets and Mavs have already played three times this season, with Dallas winning two of those meetings. All three of the previous games were of the shootout variety, so expect plenty of points.
There is a question about whether or not James Harden will play. Harden sat out the Rockets' 97-90 win over the Spurs on Tuesday night. Dwight Howard had 23 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
Other games (all times ET)
Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors, 7 p.m.
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. (postponed due to weather)
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m.
New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m.
Charlotte Bobcats at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m.
Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs, 9:30 p.m.
Memphis Grizzlies at Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m.
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