This Week in Basketball and Hockey

NBA Games of the Week

Friday, December 1: Minnesota at Oklahoma City (8:00 PM EST, NBATV)
Sunday, December 3: San Antonio at Oklahoma City (7:00 PM EST, NBATV)

NBA Power Rankings (Last Week’s Rankings in Parentheses)

1. Golden State Warriors (1)
2. Boston Celtics (2)
3. Houston Rockets (3)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (8)
5. San Antonio Spurs (4)
6. Toronto Raptors (9)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (7)
8. Philadelphia 76ers (NR)
9. Detroit Pistons (6)
10. Washington Wizards (5)


NHL Games of the Week

Tuesday, November 28: Chicago at Nashville (8:00 PM EST, NBCSN)
Sunday, December 3: Los Angeles at Chicago (7:00 PM EST, NHLN)

Matty D’s NHL Power Rankings

1. Tampa Bay Lightning: The Bolts remain at the top of the heap with their +24 goal differential. They aren’t the league leaders in points but do have a game in hand over St Louis.
2. St Louis Blues: The Blues hung eight goals on Edmonton and six goals on Minnesota this past week. Adding Patrik Berglund from IR this week is going to do wonders for their third line.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: The Jackets are going full Miley Cyrus and crashing through the league like a wrecking ball while winning six straight games behind Big Bobrovsky.
4. Winnipeg Jets: Veteran Blake Wheeler is leading the way with 25 points and keeping competition at bay in the NHL’s toughest division.
5. New Jersey Devils: I feel like this team is going to implode at all times, but they keep on winning while living on the edge.
6. Nashville Predators: The shootout loss to Carolina was disappointing but there shut out of St Louis was impressive. If Rinne could start every game this team would probably win the Presidents trophy.
7. Las Vegas Golden Knights: Vegas got a little healthier at goaltending with Malcolm Subban returning to the team. He is 4-0 on the year with a 1.87 GAA and .935 SV%. They are winners of 5 straight.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs: Is this the part of the season where Toronto’s goal scoring hype machine fizzles out? They have dropped three of their last four in rather unimpressive fashion.
9. NY Islanders: The John Tavares show is fun to watch with his fifteen goals, which is good for third in the league.
10. Washington Capitals: This team is loaded with top end talent and they are starting to hit their stride. Caps fans everywhere are praying they don’t win the Presidents Cup which has been their kiss of death.


College Basketball Games of the Week

Tuesday, November 28: #16 Baylor at #21 Xavier (6:30 PM EST, FS1)
Wednesday, November 29: #10 Miami (FL) at #12 Minnesota (9:15 PM EST, ESPN2)
Thursday, November 30: #5 Notre Dame at #3 Michigan State (7:00 PM EST, ESPN)
Friday, December 1: #25 Creighton at #15 Gonzaga (10:00 PM EST, ESPN2)
Saturday, December 2: #11 Cincinnati at #21 Xavier (12:00 PM EST, FS1)
Saturday, December 2: #8 Wichita State at #16 Baylor (2:00 PM EST, ESPNU)

 

Written by Mark

A gentleman and a scholar.