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NBA: 5 Must Watch Games in the First Week of the season

By John Bauman

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket between Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket between Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 21, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives the ball against Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives the ball against Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trailblazers
10:30 PM ET, October 29, 2014
Moda Center, Portland, OR

The Russell Westbrook show has its first showing on Wednesday the 29th, the real opening day of the NBA season. There are 12 games that Wednesday, including Bulls Knicks and this game on National T.V. (ESPN.) I really want to see how Westbrook plays without Kevin Durant, who is injured for the first part of the 2014-15 season. I could see him coming out all hyped up and taking 12 shots in the first quarter before settling down and letting some of his teammates do some of the scoring.

The Trailblazers are also a fun team to watch with Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Lillard especially will be playing hard and trying to prove that he is one of the elite point guards in the Western Conference, right up there with the Chris Pauls and the Stephen Currys and the Westbrooks of the conference.

If I had to pick a winner, I would take the Trailblazers at home. The Thunder are going to need a few games to adjust to life without Kevin Durant, and I think the Blazers can capitalize on Durant’s absence to win a close one.

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