NBA Headliners: Previewing the Best NBA Games of the Week (Jan. 3)

As 2011 begins and the NBA season continues, we prepare for what should be a fantastic year in the NBA.

So here is a look at the best games of the first week of January.

January 4

Spurs @ Knicks (NBA TV)

Surprisingly, the Spurs have the NBA's best record with a 29-4 mark, while the New York Knicks have been the most surprising team in the NBA this season.

With two of the best big men in the game facing off in Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire, expect the Knicks to give the Spurs their fifth loss.

Trail Blazers @ Mavericks

Portland so far has struggled so far this year as they are only one game above .500. The Mavs though have been fantastic but for this game, they may be without Dirk Nowitzki.

So expect Brandon Roy to lead the Blazers to a win.

January 5

Spurs @ Celtics

In the second game of a back-to-back, the San Antonio Spurs travel to the other Garden to take on the recently struggling Celtics.

With Kevin Garnett injured and the other Celtic's big men being old, expect Tim Duncan to have a huge night and the Spurs to win this game.

Lakers @ Suns (ESPN)

Two struggling teams face off in Phoenix in the rematch of the Western Conference Finals.

The first two games between these two teams have been defensively challenging, so expect the team with the better offense (Lakers) to win.

January 7

Knicks @ Suns (ESPN)

Amare Stoudemire makes his return to Phoenix in a New York uniform. Amare had been fantastic for the Knicks this year and is the guy the Suns have been missing in their struggling season so far.

Expect Stat to be energized to beat his former team, as the Knicks will win.