Jan 13, 2026, 09:30 AM ET<\/p>\n
A pair of Western Conference matchups — along with a twin-bill mini-series featuring the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> against the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> — will be the set of NBA<\/a> action showcased on Disney+ in the Philippines.<\/p>\n Here’s why you don’t want to miss each game this week.<\/p>\n Which team gains momentum in the Eastern Conference race? (Jan. 15, 8 a.m. PHT; Jan. 17, 8 a.m. PHT: Cavaliers vs. 76ers)<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n In a wide-open Eastern Conference, every win carries added weight, especially for teams hovering in the middle of the pack.<\/p>\n That’s what makes this two-game set between the Cavaliers and 76ers compelling: both believe they belong in the conference’s upper tier, and both need momentum to prove it.<\/p>\n Cleveland enters the matchup riding another elite scoring season from Donovan Mitchell<\/a>, who is averaging 29.8 points on an outstanding 62.6 TS%. The lingering question, however, is who can consistently lighten the load beside him.<\/p>\n Evan Mobley<\/a>, Darius Garland<\/a> and Jarrett Allen<\/a> remain solid contributors, but none has clearly taken the leap to become Mitchell’s reliable co-star. Mobley, in particular, has yet to make the offensive jump many expected, while Cleveland’s bench production ranks among the league’s weakest — an issue that could be magnified come playoff time.<\/p>\n Philadelphia faces a similar depth concern, but the difference lies in their star power.<\/p>\n Tyrese Maxey<\/a> is enjoying the best season of his career, posting 30.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists on 61.2 TS%, while Joel Embiid<\/a> continues to flash dominance with 23.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists when healthy.<\/p>\n When the two are clicking alongside impressive rookie VJ Edgecombe<\/a>, the 76ers’ offense can overwhelm even disciplined defenses.<\/p>\n With Cleveland eyeing a deeper playoff push and Philadelphia looking to stabilize its season and climb back into postseason position, these back-to-back games serve as a midseason measuring stick. Two games, similar questions, and plenty on the line — exactly the kind of matchup that can shift the balance in the Eastern Conference race.<\/p>\n Can the Mavericks continue its dominance over Nuggets with the absence of star bigs? (Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m. PHT: Mavericks vs. Nuggets)<\/p>\n The first two meetings between the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> and the Denver Nuggets<\/a> have gone the former’s way, but this latest showdown adds a new layer of intrigue.<\/p>\n Both teams are navigating life without their main stars in Anthony Davis<\/a> and Nikola Joki\u0107<\/a> — forcing each side to lean on other sources of offense.<\/p>\n For Dallas, the emergence of rookie Cooper Flagg<\/a> has been a major storyline. After a difficult first month in the league, the 2025 No. 1 draft pick has found his rhythm, averaging 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists.<\/p>\n In what has otherwise been a challenging season marked by Davis’ expected months of absence due to ligament damage in his left hand and Kyrie Irving<\/a>‘s continued recovery from a torn ACL — Flagg’s steady rise has become a rare bright spot and a glimpse into the franchise’s future amid a crowded Western Conference race.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Denver has stayed afloat behind its championship-tested core.<\/p>\n With Joki\u0107 sidelined, Jamal Murray<\/a> and Aaron Gordon<\/a> have shouldered the load, keeping the Nuggets firmly in the top four of the West.<\/p>\n Murray last took the floor in a statement 114-110 win over the Boston Celtics<\/a>, where he delivered a superb double-double of 22 points and 17 assists.<\/p>\n Gordon followed that up in his return to action after missing 19 games by powering Denver past the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists, reinforcing the Nuggets’ ability to compete even without their MVP centerpiece with a better squad around him this year.<\/p>\n Whether it’s Flagg continuing his ascent or Denver’s core proving its resilience, this game offers a compelling look at which team is better equipped to survive adversity — and possibly gain an edge when the Western Conference tightens even further.<\/p>\n Will the Rockets get out of their funk? (Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m. PHT: Timberwolves vs Rockets)<\/p>\n To open the season, the Houston Rockets<\/a> looked like a team with the right mix to stay competitive, even after losing starting point guard Fred VanVleet<\/a> to injury.<\/p>\n Their depth, defensive activity, and offensive versatility suggested they could be tagged as a contender. But as the calendar flipped to 2026, those early positives began to fade.<\/p>\n The Rockets struggled to regain rhythm, and in a tightly packed Western Conference, even a brief slump quickly translated into lost ground in the standings.<\/p>\n Houston appeared ready to turn the page with a New Year’s win over the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>, only for another setback to derail their momentum. Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn<\/a>‘s injury proved costly, as the Rockets dropped three of their next four games without their offensive hub in the middle.<\/p>\n During that stretch, their struggles were glaring: Houston posted the fifth-worst offensive rating in the league at just 107.4 points per 100 possessions, often stalling in half-court sets and settling for difficult shots late in the clock. Even \u015eeng\u00fcn’s return failed to provide immediate relief, as the Rockets followed it up with a disappointing loss to a struggling Sacramento Kings<\/a> side.<\/p>\n Amid the turbulence, Houston continues to lean on a dependable offensive anchor in Kevin Durant<\/a>.<\/p>\n At 37 years old, Durant remains one of the league’s most reliable scorers, averaging 26.1 points per game on elite efficiency with shooting splits of 52.4\/40.2\/89.4.<\/p>\n Even during the team’s recent skid, he elevated his production to around 30 points per outing, with more chances to continue going up in the scoring list — recently leapfrogging Wilt Chamberlain for 7th all-time highest.<\/p>\n