Three to watch
KYLE LOWRY Raptors-Lakers NBA IN LOS ANGELES
L.A. is 2-14 since Dec. 2, and one of the worst teams in the league at 12-24. But the Raptors just lost to the Suns, who are even worse (10-23). Kyle Lowry and Co. need to pick it up.
TV: 6:30 p.m., TSN2
KIRK COUSINS Wash.-Giants NFL IN D.C.
It’s simple for Washington; win, and you’re in the playoffs. The Giants, locked in at the five seed, have nothing to play for. Can Kirk Cousins and Co. deliver?
TV: 1 p.m., TSN5
MATT STAFFORD Lions-Packers NFL IN DETROIT
If Washington loses earlier in the day, both teams make the playoffs. But this will likely come down to a showdown where the winner is in, the loser goes home. It all hinges on Matt Stafford’s finger. TV: 5:20 p.m., NBC.
What else is on: TODAY, JAN. 1
BASKETBALL: NBA, San Antonio Spurs at Atlanta Hawks, 3 p.m., SN1. FOOTBALL: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, 10 a.m., CTV, FOX; Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, 10 a.m., TSN5; New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 10 a.m., CBS; Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m., FOX; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos, 1:25 p.m., CBS. HOCKEY: NHL, Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals, 4:30 p.m., SNP. SOCCER: Crystal Palace at Arsenal, 8 a.m., TSN2; Leicester City at Middlesbrough, 4 a.m., SNW
MONDAY, JAN. 2
BASKETBALL NBA, New Orleans Pelicans at Cleveland Cavaliers, 4 p.m., SN1; Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors, 7:30 p.m., SN1. FOOTBALL: Outback Bowl, Florida vs. Iowa, 10 a.m., ABC; Cotton Bowl, Western Mich. vs. Wisconsin, 10 a.m., TSN2; Rose Bowl, USC vs. Penn State, 2 p.m., TSN2; Sugar Bowl, Auburn vs. Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m., TSN2. HOCKEY: NHL, Winter Classic, Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues, 10 a.m., SNP, NBC; Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m., SNP; Boston Bruins at New Jersey Devils, 4 p.m., SNP; World Jr. Championship, Quarter-final TBA, 10 a.m., TSN1; Quarter-final TBA, 12:30 p.m., TSN1; Quarter-final TBA, 2:30 p.m., TSN3; Quarter-final TBA, 5 p.m., TSN1 SOCCER: Premier League, Liverpool at Sunderland, 6:30 a.m., SNW, CNBC; Burnley at Man. City, 6:30 a.m., SNP; Southampton at Everton, 7 a.m., TSN4; Hull City at West Bromwich Albion, 7 a.m., TSN5; Man. United at West Ham United, 9 a.m., SNW.
TUESDAY, JAN. 3
BASKETBALL: NBA, Toronto Raptors at San Antonio Spurs, 5:30 p.m., SNP; NCAA, Wisconsin at Indiana, 4 p.m., TSN1; Texas A&M at Kentucky, 6 p.m., TSN1. HOCKEY: NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals, 4 p.m., TSN4; Edmonton Oilers at Columbus Blue Jackets, 4 p.m., SNW.; NHL, Winnipeg Jets at Tampa Bay Lightning, 4:30 p.m., TSN3; Montreal Canadiens at Nashville Predators, 5 p.m., SNE.