1 / 16

Rondo Back in Boston - Rajon Rondo returning to Boston with his Dallas Mavericks to face his former Celtics squad for the first time since being traded highlights a Friday night of NBA action. And what a work week of hoops it has been as we cross over into 2015. Here's a look back at the best NBA Instagram shots of the week. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

2 / 16

Flight Club With Rudy Gay - Elevator going up...way up for Rudy Gay. Nice aerial view for Sacramento Kings fans.(Photo: Sacramento Kings via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Sacramento Kings via Instagram

3 / 16

KD is Back! - How did Kevin Durant respond in his first game back since missing six games with a sprained right ankle? By dropping 44 points in an Oklahoma City Thunder overtime win against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. KD...you the MVP!(Photo: OKC Thunder via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: OKC Thunder via Instagram

4 / 16

Always Fear the Beard - James Harden was on lift-off mode all week long for the Houston Rockets. Two 30-plus point games are proof for the leading scorer in the NBA. This is why other guards need to fear the Beard. If only the dude played defense.(Photo: Houston Rockets via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Houston Rockets via Instagram

5 / 16

Bargnani Sighting  - The New York Knicks returned Andrea Bargnani on Wednesday night for the first time this season. Anything to help a squad that's 5-29. Hold your head, NYC.(Photo: New York Knicks via Instagram)

6 / 16

Spurs Win Nail-Biter - Experience still counts for something in the NBA. The defending champion San Antonio Spurs managed to survive this overtime nail biter against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. With it, they avoided their fourth OT home loss in the month of December.(Photo: San Antonio Spurs via Instagram)

7 / 16

Jimmy Buckets Is a Star - Days of Derrick Rose being the lone star in the Chicago Bulls backcourt are long gone. Jimmy Butler has been the best player on the squad this season. He proved that this week.(Photo: Chicago Bulls via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Chicago Bulls via Instagram

8 / 16

Good Knight - Low key...Brandon Knight is a big reason why the Milwaukee Bucks are competitive at 17-16 this season. His 26 points against a LeBron-less Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night is just a sampling of how the kid has been balling out this season.(Photo: Milwaukee Bucks via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Milwaukee Bucks via Instagram

9 / 16

Sullinger Has Game - The Boston Celtics have a nice building block for the future in Jared Sullinger. The kid's pretty nice, as evidenced by the 20 points and 11 boards he had Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings.(Photo: Boston Celtics via Instagram)

10 / 16

Booze Putting in That Work - We like to call this one Booze's buckets. (Photo: Los Angeles Lakers via Instagram)

11 / 16

Hawks Flying - Jeff Teague and Paul Millsap are the biggest reasons why the Atlanta Hawks have been showing out this season. This must be good karma for Millsap after those years with the Utah Jazz. (Photo: Atlanta Hawks via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Atlanta Hawks via Instagram

12 / 16

Respect the Shooter - Vince Carter can still be counted on to put in that work and fill it up. Ask Manu Ginobili.(Photo: Memphis Grizzlies via Instagram)

13 / 16

Kentucky Connect - Look who stopped by to check in on Anthony Davis...his former college coach John Calipari. This is what it looks like when Kentucky Wildcats connect. Coach Cal has gotta be proud, AD is killing the NBA out here.(Photo: New Orleans Pelicans via Instagram)

14 / 16

Joe Cool - Not too many players in the NBA cooler under pressure than Cool Joe Johnson. Sharpshooters tend to be like that. Brooklyn, stand up! (Photo: Brooklyn Nets via Instagram)

15 / 16

Special Touch - Some how, some way, Damian Lillard got this circus shot to fall. Portland's point god.(Photo: Portland Trail Blazers via Instagram)

16 / 16

40 at the Function - Just tell E-40 when to go, tell him when to go...to the Golden State Warriors game. Yay Area...oooohhh.(Photo: Golden State Warriors via Instagram)