SUN 19
Titans at Chiefs (2:05 p.m., Ch. 2)
That sound you hear is Titans running back Derrick Henry slamming into the Chiefs’ defensive front, and this game hasn’t even started yet. What wins out, the Titans’ running game and stout defense or the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes-led pinball-machine offense? In related news, we’re retiring all Mitch Trubisky comparisons until after the Super Bowl (but don’t hold us to that).
IceHogs at Wolves (3 p.m., Ch. 50)
The Wolves are hot. The IceHogs are not. But the AHL Central Division rivals are scratching and clawing for playoff berths, and that’s where you come in. All you have to do is watch.
Packers at 49ers (5:40 p.m., Fox-32)
It’s awfully hard to size up this matchup without thinking back to the 37-8 beatdown the 49ers put on Aaron Rodgers and Co. in late November. And speaking of, it’s kind of fun to sit back and think about the 37-8 beatdown the 49ers put on Aaron Rodgers and Co. in late November.
MON 20
Morgan Park vs. Notre Dame (1 p.m., Ch. 26)
It’s the opening game of an MLK Day doubleheader at Fenwick (the Friars will take on Simeon at 3 p.m.), and it’s a doozy between Class 3A powers. Notre Dame has a big-time 1-2-3 punch in Louis Lesmond, Anthony Sayles and Troy D’Amico. Morgan Park is led by electrifying Illinois commit Adam Miller. High school basketball: It’s good for the soul.
Bulls at Bucks (4 p.m., NBCSCH)
It’s always useful to check the ol’ dipstick against the best of the Eastern Conference. But that’s easy for us to say. The Bulls have to take the court and quite likely get pummeled.
Lakers at Celtics (6:30 p.m., TNT)
These excellent teams could play 82 games in a row against each other and still not touch the excitement the Lakers-Celtics rivalry created in the 1980s. Cue the chorus: OK, Boomer.
TUE 21
Illinois at Purdue (6 p.m., ESPNU)
Sixteen days ago in Champaign, the Boilermakers were stuffed by an embarrassing score of 63-37. Nothing would say, ‘‘We’re ready to contend in the Big Ten,’’ like another victory by the Illini, but those Boilers are going to be itching for payback. Better bring the hard hats for this one.
Panthers at Blackhawks (7:30 p.m., NBCSCH)
It’s the Hawks’ final game before the All-Star break, which begs the question: Just how serious are they about this playoff business? They have a way of reeling fans in, only to cut them loose with an ugly loss. This would be a good day to avoid the ugly.
FRI 24
Bucks vs. Hornets (2 p.m., NBA TV)
AccorHotels Arena in Paris is the site of the NBA’s first regular-season game in the great city. You just know the smug Parisians have been practicing their ‘‘Giannis Antetokounmpo’’ pronunciations.
NHL All-Star Skills competition (7 p.m., NBCSN)
Has the NHL jumped the proverbial shark? We’ll find out as its ‘‘Shooting Stars’’ competition features players firing pucks at targets from the stands. Yes, the stands. But don’t miss the three-on-three competition between members of the U.S. and Canadian women’s national teams.
SAT 25
NHL All-Star Game (7 p.m., Ch. 5)
Patrick Kane makes his ninth appearance, the most among active players. Alas, he’s the only Hawk in this here shebang. Times have changed.
