2012 NBA schedule: Pistons face Clippers, Raptors this week

The Detroit Pistons get the week's NBA schedule started by hosting the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday night. The Clippers are on a nine-game winning streak that has brought their overall season record to 17-6. The meeting will be the first of two between the teams this year, with the Pistons making a visit to L.A. in March.

After a day off, Detroit heads across the border to visit the Toronto Raptors at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night in the Air Canada Centre. The two teams have struggled to begin the 2012-13 campaign, as the Raptors are a half-game behind the Pistons at 6-19. Detroit took down Toronto, 91-90, on Nov. 23 as Brandon Knight hit the game-winning layup with 7.8 seconds left.

Around the league, Jeremy Lin makes his return to Madison Square Garden as the Rockets face the Knicks at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. A key Western Conference battle also happens on Monday, as the Thunder face the Spurs at 8 p.m. in Oklahoma City.

The Knicks host another big game on Wednesday as they continue the "Battle of the Boroughs" series at 7 p.m. against the Brooklyn Nets.

For a full list of games, be sure to check out S.I.'s NBA schedule page.