2014 NBA schedule: Thunder travel to Chicago to take on Bulls

It’s a cross-conference showdown between Kevin Durant and Joakim Noah.

Mar 17, 2014, 4:52 PM UTC

Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

Monday night’s action includes six playoff-hopeful teams going head-to-head, with three big offense vs. defense matchups. It’s shaping up to be a wild night as we close in on the playoffs, with potential losses playing with seedings and possibly even dropping some teams out of consideration. In our preview, we tell you which games are fresh and ripe for the picking.

Appetizer: Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Bobcats

7 p.m. ET (League Pass)

The Atlanta Hawks have an exceedingly difficult schedule to close the season and the Bobcats are the first tough team they have to face. The Hawks have won three games in a row, and despite their injury-decimated roster, are hanging on to the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff run. Charlotte is right above them, so a conference win on Monday night will help them fend off the Knicks from below.

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Charlotte has quietly been on a bit of a hot streak, racking up a record of 12-7 since the start of February, including wins against Dallas, Memphis, Indiana and Washington. Despite their sixth-ranked defense, the Bobcats are in the bottom third of the NBA in terms of opponent points from three-pointers per game and percentage of total points allowed from three-pointers. That’s bad news against Atlanta, which is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the NBA. It also happens to be Kyle Korver’s 33rd birthday. We could be in for a treat in Charlotte.

Main Course: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls

8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Oklahoma City was absolutely dismantled by the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday and this second night of a back-to-back starts off its three-game Eastern Conference road trip. However, Russell Westbrook rested against the Mavs, which means he could see action against the Bulls on Monday night. If the Thunder can beat Chicago at the United Center, it may help relax some of the recent concerns about their play.

For Chicago, beating the Thunder would be yet another notch in its championship-hopeful belt, having already recently beaten the Rockets and Heat. The Bulls have looked like their old selves on defense, and with Joakim Noah racking up double-doubles left and right, it's no wonder why they are battling it out with Toronto for third place in the East. Look for Mike Dunleavy to attack from beyond the arc, as the Bulls' offense needs his spark in order to push past a team like the Thunder.

Dessert: Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets

7:30 p.m. ET (League Pass)

Phoenix got back on track on Sunday after beating the Toronto Raptors in the Air Canada Centre, 121-113. That does mean the Suns will be on the second night of a back-to-back as they take on the Nets, and it will be a challenge for their attacking style. Phoenix plays as a team and needs to continue doing so against a toughened Nets defense. Seven Suns players are averaging double-digit scoring in the month of March, and they will need all they can get Monday night.

via @heybelinda

The Nets have been on a roll lately, taking seven of their last 10 games including wins against Chicago, Miami, Toronto and Memphis. Contributions from latest addition Marcus Thornton and a revitalized Shaun Livingston have seen the Nets flourish despite a disappointing start to the season. The Nets have allowed 100 points just twice in that same span, which is in direct opposition to the Suns' 105.4 point-per-game offense. Even if the Suns can find their legs, they might be in trouble at Barclays.