Photo Credit: Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty Images

This week on ESPN Australia Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics will feature as there will be 2 live games from TD Garden.

BOSTON CELTICS VS NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

Time & Date: Thursday January 17 from TD Garden

Coverage: LIVE 12:00 pm AEDT (See TV Guide for other games and times)

The rejuvenated New Orleans Hornets roll into Boston where they’ll have to contend with a Celtics squad that is gelling with Avery Bradley back on the floor. Eric Gordon has slotted into the starting line-up and it’s all come together for the Hornets since as the have put together their first win streak of the season.

With more space for Ryan Anderson, Anthony Davis and Grevis Vasquez this Hornets team is starting to put together better scoring nights while maintaining the same defensive presence which is winning more games.

Watch For:  Vasquez vs Rondo

Grevis Vasquez has taken on a massive workload for the Hornets this season and his assist numbers have been up there with Rondo’s for best in the league. Can these guys dish it out as well as they can take it on defense from each other?

BOSTON CELTICS VS CHICAGO BULLS

Time & Date: Saturday January 19 from TD Garden

Coverage: LIVE 11:00 am AEDT (See TV Guide for other games and times)

2 nights later the Celtics square up with another stellar defensive team in the Chicago Bulls. The Derrick Rose less Bulls have played their tails off.

Still in the playoff race and above where the Boston Celtics sit in the standings, the Bulls have also performed better on the road then at home. Chicago is 10-5 away from the United Center and just 10-10 at home.

Watch For:  Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah

Boozer has played the best basketball of his Chicago Bull career since Christmas as he has posted 7 double doubles and averaged 21 points, 11 boards. His offense along with defensive stud Joakim Noah keeps this Bulls team chugging along perhaps to victory over the Celtics front line.

These are the games you can catch on ESPN Australia via Foxtel throughout the week.

Will Boston start to push their way into the top of the Eastern Conference standings or are the New Orleans Hornets and Chicago Bulls well equipped to keep them battling around the 8th seed?