T-Mac vs. KD (Photo. Marc Morrison)

With 12 NBA games on the schedule tonight, these are the matchups we’re most looking forward to in each:

Pistons @ Sixers: Rip Hamilton vs. Willie Green — We’ve seen Willie let loose with the cannon and get more than his share of shots up when he wants to , but tonight he’s got to play defense. Every two-guard who plays the Pistons knows it’s gonna be a long night chasing Rip through 1,000 screens and double-screens.

Mavericks @ Bobcats: Josh Howard vs. Gerald Wallace — Dirk will get his points and J-Rich will get his points, but Howard and Wallace’s performances could be the X-factors. And it’s not just points, but everything they do on both ends of the court: Sam Vincent may even want Crash to guard Dirk, while Avery could sic Josh on Richardson. Wallace has been on a tear lately, putting up 26 points per in his last five, but he tweaked a leg injury in Charlotte’s last game against the Spurs.

Wizards @ Cavs: Caron Butler vs. LeBron James — Caron has been put in position to get more buckets with Arenas on the shelf, and he’s responded like an All-Star should. But tonight he’ll be looked at for defense. He’s one of the few small forwards strong enough and with enough dog in him to hang with LeBron. And unlike Bowen, Caron will make ‘Bron work on both ends of the floor.

Raptors @ Celtics: Chris Bosh vs. Kevin Garnett — CB4 has been on a roll, good for 29 and 10 in his last five outings, but he’s been kind of owned by KG whenever the Raps and C’s meet up.

Magic @ Grizzlies: Rudy Gay vs. Rashard Lewis — Raw Lew’s confidence is sky-high after sticking that game-winner to down Detroit, but Rudy has been a handful for anyone trying to guard him this year. With the way Orlando shoots threes and the Grizz like to run, both guys could have monster stat lines against each other.

Trail Blazers @ Hornets: LaMarcus Aldridge vs. David West — We remember a game earlier this year when West destroyed every Blazer in his path for about three quarters, but N.O. still lost. LaMarcus has to get his hands dirty and keep West from completely dominating the glass if his team wants to stop one of the League’s hottest teams.

Suns @ Timberwolves: Steve Nash vs. Sebastian Telfair — It says here that Nash will give Bassy a Power Rangers lunch box and a pat on the head and take him to school. But it also says Nash isn’t the best defender in the world, and Telfair’s got some jets on those legs of his. Not saying Nash won’t drop 18-20 assists tonight (or 30-plus points if Minnesota decides to not guard him like Milwaukee did), but Bassy could have a decent game.

Pacers @ Bulls: Danny Granger vs. Luol Deng — Two guys who’d be much better off being the 3rd/4th option on a contending team, they’re go-to guys whether they like it or not.

Lakers @ Spurs: Kobe Bryant vs. Manu Ginobili — We would’ve gone with Duncan vs. Kwame, but that’d be less of a “matchup” and more of a blood-letting. During this stretch while Bynum is out, we don’t know from one night to the next if we’re getting Facilitator Kobe (11 dimes against Denver) or Clear-Out Kobe (44 FGA against Seattle). If Manu does his usually Aggravating Manu act, he could unleash the “I’m not passing” version of Mamba.

Hawks @ Nuggets: Josh Smith vs. Linas Kleiza — Carmelo’s out (ankle), so unless L.K. can recapture the magic of that 41-point night he had against Utah last week, the Nuggets will have to find ways to not let Josh Smith run wild.

Rockets @ Sonics: Tracy McGrady vs. Kevin Durant — KD grew up wanting to be like T-Mac. A couple days ago he watched a slightly gimpy Mac put up 17-6-5 in another Sonics loss. It’s at Durant’s place this time, so maybe he’ll do better than the 4-for-13 he recorded last time out.

Kings @ Clippers: Brad Miller vs. Chris Kaman — The Kings are hot, and Miller has been playing like the Brad Miller who was an All-Star with his rebounding and passing. Kaman’s been one of the League’s best centers all year, but he hasn’t been scoring as much lately.