NBA (Jan. 18th): Top Five Games of the Week

If you're looking for the spot to be in , it's the left side of your couch. The one with the table stand right next to it, where you set the beer, the remote control, and casually fiddle with your iPhone.

But if you want to know when you should be sitting in that exact spot, read on. There's plenty of NBA action to catch this week, but only this column has the top five games you should be watching.

Monday (Jan. 18th)

Orlando Magic (26-14) @ L.A. Lakers (31-9)

The Lakers don't lose at home. Period.

They've made quite a living doing so, going 22-3 in front of their own fans, while possessing a very average 9-6 record on the road.

That would normally mean bad things for the Orlando Magic, especially since they're in a slump, but that doesn't mean this will be a bad game.

It's a rematch of last year's NBA Finals. There's bound to be some bad blood.

Dallas Mavericks (26-14) @ Boston Celtics (27-11)

The Mavericks and Celtics both lead their respective divisions in their respective conferences and should give a good late-night Monday game for any NBA fan to enjoy.

Both teams have dropped three of their last five, so the competition to get a meaningful win will definitely be worth tuning in for.

Look for Dirk Nowtizki to go off, while the Celtics defense tries to limit the rest of the Dallas offense.

Side Note : Keep an eye out for the Washington Wizards game on Monday night if you get the chance. Washington guard Mike Miller has promised to donate $1,000 dollars to help those in need in Haiti for every three-pointer he and his teammates make.

Wednesday (Jan. 20th)

Utah Jazz (23-18) @ San Antonio Spurs (24-15)

Both teams are deep in the mix of the bunched-up playoff race in the Western Conference, although neither is shaping out to be the elite teams everyone hoped they would be.

Tune in and see if San Antonio can take over their division lead (if they can get past New Orleans on Monday night), and force Utah to drop just its second game in its last six.

San Antonio has slowly been coming together in recent weeks, and rookie DeJuan Blaire has been a pleasant surprise. Look for the Spurs to keep the race tight for their division.

Thursday (Jan. 21st) Game of the Week

L.A. Lakers (31-9) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (31-11)

This could easily be a preview of the 2010 NBA Finals, and at the very worst, carries inner storylines between Shaq and Kobe, as well as LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant.

Both teams have 31 wins and are nearly unbeatable at home, which should give the Cavs the early edge.

This trumps the Lakers-Magic Finals rematch as it pits arguably the top two teams in the league against each other.

Look for the Cavaliers to send a message with a win.

Friday (Jan. 22nd)

Portland Trail Blazers (25-16) @ Boston Celtics (27-11)

The Celtics have been flying somewhat under the radar this season while dealing with some injuries and some uncharacteristic losses over the first few months.

Still, they have just 11 losses and have to be considered and elite squad, as well as a legit contender for the Eastern Conference.

Portland, on the other hand, has been keeping pace with the West and has been winning games at a solid rate despite dealing with a rash of injuries that would kill the momentum of any normal team.

It should be a better battle than most will assume, but with just a 9-9 record on the road, we still expect Portland to fall.

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