Tipping off at 3:30 on ABC, the Heat take on the Pistons. I know it's only one of eighty-two, but if the Heat don't consider this a particularly important game, they probably should. They're 0-7 on the year against the league's Top 4 teams, 1-9 against division leaders, and 13-16 against teams above .500. That sort of thing doesn't change come playoff time, just because they want it to. The might want to take this one seriously.

The Wizards are putting the finishing touches on a beating of the Sixers right now. Chris Webber and Iverson have combined for 53 for the Sixers. That's terrific and all, but there is a thing called defense that also matters. The Sixers were unable to keep Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Antonio Daniels, or Gilbert Arenas under 17 points.

And the Spurs just racked up their ninth straight road win, this one coming at Indiana, who had won four straight themselves without Jermaine O'Neal. That picture should dispell any myths that the Pacers lost some toughness in the Peja/Artest deal. Clearly, Peja Stojakovic brings a hood mentality. Indiana led most of the way, but didn't get it done in crunch time. Manu Ginobili had 29 for the Spurs.