CNNSI.com's John Hollinger weighs in with his forecast of the weekend's biggest games each Friday.
Jan. 9-Jan. 11
Fri., 7 p.m. EDT
Golden State at Washington
Michael Jordan and Jerry Stackhouse go up against fellow Tar Heel Antawn Jamison, whose defense has been so bad that Dean Smith briefly considered dying so he could roll over in his grave. Jordan will have to contend with a far more game Warrior team than last year's bunch, but the result will be the same.
Wizards 100, Warriors 95
Fri., 8 p.m. EDT
Boston at Dallas
The slumping Celtics picked the wrong time to head into Dallas. Raef LaFrentz is getting back into top shape, Shawn Bradley has relocated his mojo, and Antoine Rigaudeau may be flying over the pond to join in the fun. Unless Paul Pierce goes off for about 80, it will be a long night for Boston.
Mavericks 100, Celtics 95
Fri., 8:30 p.m. EDT
Detroit at New Orleans
Yep, it's that time ... time to pick against the Pistons. For some reason, this never gets old. I must be a sadist. But getting back to the game, the Hornets have been far stronger in the Big Easy than on the road (can't imagine why, huh?), and as long as Baron Davis stays in one piece, they should prevail.
Hornets 88, Pistons 83
Fri., 8 p.m. EDT
Sacramento at Minnesota Chris Webber and Kevin Garnett go head-to-head in a battle of oft-criticized star power forwards. Despite their different body types, the production from these two is eerily similar, although KG is a cut above on the defensive end. Of course, even if Garnett wins his matchup, his team lacks the guns to beat the Kings. Kings 98, Timberwolves 93
Sat., 7:30 p.m. EDT
Washington at New York
This may look like a lame matchup, but bear with me. Both teams have been playing much better after dreadful starts, and the return of Michael Jordan to the starting lineup has the Wizards in position for a playoff spot. The Knicks have been better since Spre came back, but they'll be haunted by Jordan one last time.
Wizards 95, Knicks 94
Sun., 3:30 p.m. EDT
Dallas at L.A. Clippers
Alvin Gentry says the Clippers are going to turn things around. They certainly have the talent, but have combined serial injuries with phenomenal underachievement by those who are healthy to turn first-place talent into a last-place team. It probably goes without saying that I like Dallas in this one.
Mavericks 111, Clippers 98
Sun., 6 p.m. EDT
Orlando at Philadelphia
The Sixers have been struggling of late, aided by the fact that Todd MacCulloch can barely walk, but there are two reasons to like them in this contest. First, most of their struggles have been on the road, but this one's in the friendly confines of First Union Center. Second, Orlando probably won't have Grant Hill. 76ers 101, Magic 95
Sun., 8 p.m. EDT
Utah at Phoenix
Surprise, surprise. Before the season most folks were looking at this game as the battle for 10th place in the West and another ping-pong ball in the LeBron Lovefest, but that's why they play the games. Phoenix has been especially eye-opening, but my hunch is the Suns hit the wall in this game. Jazz 93, Suns 89
Sun., 8 p.m. EDT
Boston at San Antonio
Boston chose a bad time to play Dallas Friday, and a worse one to play the Spurs Sunday. Tim Duncan is finally rounding into midseason form while Tony Parker is improving every game, but the biggest reason to like the Spurs is the return of athletic slasher Emanuel Ginobili from the injured list. Spurs 95, Celtics 84
Fri., 7:30 p.m. EDT
Upset of the Week:
Houston at Atlanta
The arrival of Yao Ming should draw at least 31 people to Philips Arena, shattering the season attendance mark. As far as the game, the Rockets have a curious habit of dropping games to bad teams, which makes them a juicy choice for the upset pick.
Hawks 87, Rockets 85
