NBA schedule 2014: Cavs hope to get clicking against Nuggets; Grizzlies visit Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't healthy facing the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies, but that is what's going to start the nationally televised plate on Friday night.

It'll be Reggie Jackson leading the way for the Thunder rather than Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Jackson has taken on criticism from teammates, his coach and fans in just two games back from injury, but he can quell the perception of being a selfish teammate by leading Oklahoma City to an upset over Memphis.

The Grizzlies have quietly started the year 5-0 with Marc Gasol looking like a darkhorse MVP candidate. The role players around Gasol, point guard Mike Conley and forward Zach Randolph look like they'll complement the stars well, and the defense is clicking like it has over the past few seasons.

Here are some best picks for the rest of the 11-game Friday night schedule, including a look at the Cleveland Cavaliers' matchup against the Denver Nuggets.

Kings vs. Suns, 9 p.m. ET

Sacramento and Phoenix find themselves off to strong starts, but there's a ways to go before anyone can be considered a legitimate playoff contender in a deep Western Conference. Between these two squads, there's no ducking the storyline. The Suns traded the rights to a second-round pick and a trade exception to the Kings for point guard Isaiah Thomas this summer, and his first meeting against the franchise that didn't like the fit could be interesting. Will he take it to his old team?

Wizards vs. Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET

Two of the middle-tier Eastern Conference playoff squads from a year ago square off. The Wizards doubled down on their core by signing Marcin Gortat and added Paul Pierce, while the Raptors did what they needed to bring back point guard Kyle Lowry. These two teams could end up fighting for playoff positioning down the stretch again. Assuming that, their games against one another are of utmost importance. At the least, the entertainment value between John Wall, DeMar DeRozan and their teammates is high.

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving have holes to plug in their endeavor to get more ball movement. That said, Cleveland's defense has been as bad or worse than the stagnant offense that put together six total assists in their last game, a two-point loss to the Utah Jazz. Perhaps the Cavs' offense can get churning against a Denver team that is both up-tempo and having issues on the defensive end.

More on the teams: Fear the Sword | Denver Stiffs

Hawks vs. Hornets, 7 p.m.

Timberwolves vs. Magic, 7 p.m.

Bulls vs. Sixers, 7 p.m.

Pacers vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

Bucks vs. Pistons, 7:30 p.m.

Knicks vs. Nets, 7:30 p.m.

Mavericks vs. Jazz, 9 p.m.