The Phoenix Suns need a win in the worst way, but visiting the Los Angeles Clippers isn't an easy proposition.
There are seven games on the schedule on Monday and the best will likely be saved for last. There are a few others with playoff implications, though.
Main course: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns
10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Six days ago, the Clippers beat the Suns on the strength of a 37-point third quarter in which Matt Barnes matched Phoenix's point total. The Suns have since beaten the Oklahoma City Thunder and lost to the Golden State Warriors -- on Sunday, the Warriors put up 38 points in the third -- and that's been enough to bump them to ninth in the West.
Phoenix is having a dream season, 10 games over .500 when it was never supposed to be. In this brutal conference, however, it is going to have a battle on its hands just to make the postseason. The Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies have identical records, and the Grizzlies have won all three of their meetings. Winning in Los Angeles against these Clippers is a tough task, but Phoenix's players know what's at stake.
The fourth-place Clips have won seven in a row, and are a half-game behind the Houston Rockets. They're 26-5 at home.
Appetizer: Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards
7:30 p.m. ET
The Wizards have been on a roll lately, winners of eight out of nine games. They haven't faced a team like the Miami Heat in a while, though. Those eight wins came against the Hawks, Pelicans, Cavaliers, Magic, Raptors, 76ers, Jazz and Bucks. Aside from the Toronto game, which Washington won 134-129 in triple overtime on the road, these have been games the Wizards are supposed to win. Now it's time to try to steal one.
The Heat are coming off losses to the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls. This probably isn't a great time to run into them.
Dessert: Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET
I'm cheating a little bit with an early game as the dessert, but there's a light late schedule. I can't in good conscience recommend watching the Jazz and Hawks instead of a game that actually matters. The third-place Raptors have only a one-game lead on the Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings, and the Nets are finally above .500. The last time these teams met, it ended with Deron Williams coughing the ball up and Patrick Patterson winning the game for Toronto. This could be a playoff preview.
Other games (all times ET)
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Denver Nuggets, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic, 8 p.m.
New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 p.m.
Utah Jazz vs. Atlanta Hawks, 9 p.m.