2014 NBA schedule: Houston Rockets look to pile on in Oklahoma City

Since the calendar changed to 2014, there has been no hotter team in the league than the Houston Rockets. They're 23-6 since New Year's Day, and lately they've taken on some of the league's elite — Indiana and Portland — and sent them home with big-time losses. Now, they get to head to Oklahoma City, where the Thunder are in some trouble. James Harden is playing out of his mind (41 points against the Blazers) and Dwight Howard looks more and more like the force he used to be prior to his back injury a couple of years ago. It'll be a test in that hostile OKC environment, but if any group can handle it right now, it appears to be this one.

The Thunder defense has been in a really bad place since losing Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha to injury. They've lost five of their last eight games and are hemorrhaging points to the opposition at a rate of 108.3 points per 100 possessions during that stretch. The Rockets coming to down isn't likely to help matters in that capacity. On top of the defensive struggles, OKC is still in the process of getting Russell Westbrook back in the fold in an efficient manner. All things considered, this could be a real shootout in Oklahoma on Tuesday night, and it absolutely counts as must-see television.

Appetizer: San Antonio Spurs at Chicago Bulls

Talk about two teams making some noise right now. San Antonio is riding a six-game winning streak coinciding with the return of third-year forward Kawhi Leonard and a roster that's finally healthy after more than two months of setbacks. On top of that, with the Heat, Pacers and Thunder all experiencing a rough stretch, the Spurs have taken control of the top overall record in the league. Leonard is looking more like the guy we saw in June against the Heat since his return to action after missing 14 games with a broken hand. He's putting up 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game over the last six, and Gregg Popovich is starting to let him loose of any sort of minutes restrictions. Leonard set a career high last season in Chicago with 26 points, let's see what happens this time around.

Then there are the Bulls, who have become the NBA's rough-and-tough darlings and everybody's second-favorite team. They're coming off an emotionally charged victory in Chicago over Miami on Sunday, and Joakim Noah is playing out of his mind. It's a grind to watch this team play, but it's as exciting a grind as exists in this league. Between the Spurs' offensive execution and the Bulls' punch-you-in-the-mouth mentality on defense, we're in for a potential treat in Chicago on Tuesday evening.

Dessert: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors

As loaded as the top of the Western Conference is, action near the bottom of the standings is perhaps the most entertaining aspect of the playoff race. The Dallas Mavericks are scratching and clawing to stay alive and currently find themselves in seventh place, tied with eighth-place Memphis and just two games back of Golden State. Oh, and the Suns are just one game back, squarely on the bubble and waiting for someone to slip up. Every single night is important, and Dallas continues to win big games even after a recent harmful skid. The Mavs responded to three straight losses against Chicago, San Antonio and (somehow) Denver with two straight wins against Portland and Indiana. They have a chance to make a real statement in Golden State on Tuesday, but the Warriors are starting to make some noise.

It's been a weird year for the normally potent Dubs offense. They've been middle of the pack offensively for much of the season, but they boast an elite-level defense that's kept them afloat through some rough patches. But Golden State is starting to come around. Over the last 15 games they're putting up 108.3 points per 100 possessions, good enough for eighth-best in the league during that stretch. And with the poor Mavs' defense coming to town, Stephen Curry and Co. are probably licking their chops. It's always fun when these two teams match up in Oracle Arena, and it's a safe bet this nightcap will be a good one.

Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m.

Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m.

Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m.

Milwaukee Bucks at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m.