NBA Schedule 2014: The Mavericks host the Bucks in rematch of buzzer-beating thriller

The Bucks are fun to watch. The Mavs are fun to watch. Pit the two against one another, and it should be fun to watch. It was on Dec. 3. That's when Monta Ellis hit a ridiculous, twisting, bending, maybe-he-traveled, game-winner in Milwaukee to beat the Bucks, 107-105. They're set for a rematch on Sunday when the Bucks travel to Dallas.

Wednesday's game turned into a duel of point guards with Brandan Knight netting 25 points and Ellis scoring 23, including the clutch game-winner. Dirk Nowitzki sat out the game to rest, but all five Dallas starters scored in double figures in his absence.The win was Dallas' fifth straight, but a loss to the Suns on Friday night halted the winning streak.

The Bucks bounced back from the loss with a convincing 24-point win over the Heat on Friday night that ended a three-game losing streak.

Sunday's meeting is yet another example of the conference disparity. At 15-6, the Mavericks are currently seventh in the Western Conference, while 11-10 for the Bucks is good enough for sixth in the East.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a human highlight reel -- no one knows what a travel is anymore because of him. But in his first matchup against the Mavs on Wednesday, he was a non-factor. In just 18 minutes of play, he had three points and five assists. The Bucks are at their best when running the break and letting Antetokounmpo do his thing. If they're going to hang with the Mavs on Sunday, they'll need a better effort from their Greek import.

Nuggets at Hawks, 3:30 p.m. ET

Atlanta has quietly made their way into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. At 12-6, they have the third-best record in the East, and that was after a 5-5 start. They've won seven of eight and are currently riding a five-game winning streak. Denver, meanwhile, is following a similar trajectory, but their 1-6 start may have left them too big of a hole to climb out of. Still, they've won eight of 12 games to climb back into the Western Conference playoff hunt. Sunday's matchup should be a fun look at two of the league's most exciting point guards, Jeff Teague and Ty Lawson.

Pelicans at Lakers, 9:30 p.m. ET

Anthony Davis and the Pelicans are struggling. They've lost five of six, including two lopsided defeats to the streaking Warriors and Clippers. The Lakers, meanwhile, have struggled all season. But any time Anthony Davis and Kobe Bryant are on the court, the game is worth watching.

Wizards at Celtics, 1 p.m.

Thunder at Pistons, 6 p.m.

Heat at Grizzlies, 6 p.m.

Trail Blazers at Knicks, 7:30 p.m.