As January draws to a close and the All-Star break approaches, Disney+ is jam-packed with big-name NBA matchups to spice up the event. There is nothing heavier than this. lebron james They will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in an exciting homecoming game.
Here’s why you can’t miss all six games from Thursday to Monday on Disney+ in the Philippines.
LeBron’s last dance in Cleveland? (January 29th 8am PHT: Lakers vs. Cavaliers)
Every time LeBron returns to Cleveland comes with emotional weight, but this one feels heavier than most.
Akron, Ohio will once again face their former team in the city where they pulled off a historic come-from-behind victory from a 3-1 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals, giving the Cavaliers their only championship.
Now in his 23rd NBA season, 11 of which were spent in Cleveland, and at age 41, questions still linger. Will this be the last time No. 23 takes the floor in his hometown?
Despite showing signs of decline after his historic 1,297-game 10-point streak came to an end and 21 consecutive All-Star starts, James remains productive at a level few in the league can match.
He’s still averaging 22.3 points, six rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game on an efficient shooting percentage of 50.8 percent, which has kept him firmly in the All-Star conversation and at the heart of the Los Angeles Lakers’ push.
But nostalgia doesn’t shake this version of the Cavaliers.
Cleveland is following suit. donovan mitchellcontinues to lead that rise with an impressive 29.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 61.9 TS% per game.
Whether this is LeBron’s last appearance in Cleveland or just another chapter in his storied career, it’s a can’t-miss moment for fans as the living legend continues to add to his legacy.
Two Unicorns Collide (January 29, 10:30am PHT: Spurs vs. Rockets)
when kevin durant When he entered the league in 2007, the NBA had never seen a player like him. At nearly 7 feet tall, he has guard skills, deep shooting range and an easy scoring touch.
Nearly 20 years later, Durant’s prototype has become a blueprint. And now the league is watching that idea evolve in its most extreme form. The 7-foot-5 genius looks like he can do anything on the basketball court.
At 37 years old, Durant still has big questions.
He averages 26.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists and has been a steadying force for the Houston Rockets during their recent struggles. Midrange is still automatic, as he’s converted an elite 53.8% from that area this season, according to Synergy. When the Rockets need a bucket, Durant is the answer.
On the other side of the floor, Victor Wenbanyamaits impact goes far beyond the highlights.
He was one of the league’s most productive scorers on a per-minute basis, scoring 24.2 points in just 28.9 minutes per game while supporting one of the NBA’s best defenses.
Wenbanyama’s 2.7 blocks per game are only part of the story, as he scored just 111.5 points per 100 possessions and helped lead the San Antonio Spurs to the league’s third-best defensive rating.
There are clear similarities between the two in terms of length, skill and positional versatility, and this feels like a glimpse into a matchup between the present and the future. But beyond the high-profile matchup, this match has real weight.
The Texas rivalry brings stakes far beyond individual talent as both teams compete for position in a crowded Western Conference.
Promising young core faces off (January 31, 8:30 a.m. (PHT): Raptors vs. Magic)
Even after the midpoint of the regular season, the Eastern Conference still has a big chance.
The stumbles of early favorites like the New York Knicks and Cavaliers have opened the door for upstart teams to believe they can advance higher than expected. That belief lives on in the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, two of the East’s most intriguing young teams.
The Raptors have been one of the biggest surprises this season, maintaining a top-four spot in the conference on the back of all-around brilliance. scotty burns. The former Rookie of the Year was a driving force for both teams, averaging 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Toronto’s offense also benefits from continued influence. Brandon Ingrama key gainer last season, leading the team with 21.5 points per contest on an efficient 56.2 TS%. With their core clicking and momentum growing, the Raptors may even be able to position themselves as buyers before the trade deadline.
The Magic, on the other hand, have yet to fully take off despite a roster that suggests a higher ceiling.
They are 23-21 through the first 44 games, a similar pace to recent seasons, but they have more talent at their disposal since joining. Desmond Bane.
Paolo Banchero He has endured an unstable year, shooting only 29.1% from deep. Franz Wagner While injury concerns have been addressed, growth has anthony black There are some bright spots. The young guard has emerged as a reliable scorer, averaging 15.6 points per game and bringing a new dimension offensively to Orlando.
This is a measure of how close each group is to turning potential into real contention, as both teams are built around rising cores and aim for a clearer path in a suddenly fragile Eastern Conference.
A Duel Between Team USA’s Best Guards (January 31, 11am PHT: Pistons vs. Warriors)
After a week spotlighting global superstars on Disney+, attention turns to the battle between two of Team USA’s top guards. One is well established and the other is rising rapidly.
Cade Cunningham and steph curry The future of the league and one of its signature icons will headline the matchup.
Cunningham’s breakthrough this season has been fueled by a stronger supporting cast and greater offensive responsibility.
The Detroit Pistons lead guard thrived as a pick-and-roll operator, unlocking a new level of playmaking and helping propel his team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
He’s averaging a career-high 9.7 assists per game, scoring 25.4 points, and is fourth in the league in points off ball screens with 9.2 points per game. That’s an indicator of how much Detroit’s offense is flowing through him right now.
On the other side stands Curry, who continues to defy time and expectations.
The Warriors superstar remains in prime form, averaging 27.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5 assists and an impressive 63.4 TS%.
Golden State’s margin of error has narrowed jimmy butler As the team wandered around the play-in area, Curry’s workload became even heavier. Still, he continues to prove night after night that with help, he can still be the driving force behind a championship-caliber offense.
This guard showdown brings more than star power as Detroit tests its new rise and the Warriors compete for position. It’s a collision of control, creativity and shot-making, where the present meets the future at the point of attack.
Cooper Flagg shines (February 1, 9:30 a.m. PHT: Mavericks vs. Rockets)
Inevitably, the Dallas Mavericks started the season by holding the key to the season. cooper flag‘s hand.
The top overall pick in last year’s draft, tasked with being the primary ball handler, was thrust into a role that didn’t fit his natural game. After some early struggles, once Flagg settled into a more familiar rhythm, his consistent work quickly showed why he’s so touted.
Half a season in, the 19-year-old forward looks much more accustomed to the pace and physicality of the league. He’s on par with the Charlotte Hornets as a candidate for the top rookie scorer. Con Knuppel He averaged 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
But his December surge really showed his two-way impact and growing confidence, with 23.5 points and 2.2 stocks per game on an efficient 51.6% shooting clip.
This growth coincided with Dallas gaining a foothold. The Mavericks are 7-5 in January with a plus-2.2 net rating and are trending upward as the role becomes more defined and Flagg’s versatility continues to unlock the lineup.
As the season progresses, this matchup marks another checkpoint in Flagg’s rapid growth. Especially against a Rockets team that is also looking to build momentum heading into the All-Star break.
Jaylen Brown’s MVP debate (February 2, 4:30 a.m. PHT: Bucks vs. Celtics)
Entering the season, the Boston Celtics appeared to be in a period of transition.
Key veterans have moved on and superstars have moved on from the 2023 title race. jayson tatum Much of the campaign ended up being missed. Rather than take a step back, the Celtics took a step forward with the power of: Jaylen Brown Elevated his game into MVP-caliber territory.
Brown, 29, is having the best season of his career, averaging 29.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists with a 57.6 TS% efficiency. More importantly, many of his attacks were of his own creation.
He ranks fourth in the league in isolation, scoring 5.9 points per game and converting a high 46.6 percent. This proves that Boston can rely on him late in possession and in set defense.
If you zoom out, the ceiling will just go up from here.
With Tatum likely to return later in the season, the Celtics pose a big threat come playoff time. They already boast the league’s second-best offense at 120.8 points per 100 possessions, and reintroducing a talent like Tatum with a fully released Brown could tip the balance of power in the East.
The Milwaukee Bucks will enter this matchup without their superstar. Giannis AntetokounmpoBrown and the Celtics are expected to take advantage of that, jump on it, and go on to win.