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The 2015 NBA Christmas Day jerseysEach year the NBA makes it a point to arrange high drama or huge rivalry games on marquee days in the regular season such as Christmas, Veteran's day, Martin Luther King day and Super Bowl Sunday. Unfortunately the league has to include its big teams on a huge game night like Christmas, resulting in the Los Angeles Lakers featuring in one of the match-ups.Other than that disappointing inclusion all of the other teams playing on Christmas deserve the national TV spotlight on them. The five games scheduled for Christmas will be broadcasted nationwide by ESPN and ABC. What are the NBA match-ups on Christmas in 2015? Hereâs a summary:1.A young superstar looking to make his mark against a reputed and veteran franchise.2.Two title contenders playing under rookie NBA Head Coaches3.Rematch of the 2015 NBA Finals.4.Two Texas giants collide5. Battle for Los Angeles. Here we preview and predict each game:
#1 Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans
Telecast: 25th Dec, 22:30 hrs IST on Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD
Team Previews:
Early on the New Orleans Pelicans were struggling to keep players on the floor that would make their team competitive, courtesy of the injury epidemic that struck them mid-preseason. Now that the primary rotation players have recovered from injuries, the team is taking its time to find its rhythm and groove.
They are lethal, no doubt but their current play is such that the result of a game will depend on which team shows up on that given day. Since the return of Tyreke Evans and Norris Cole, who are the last players from the team’s primary rotation to return from injuries, the team has a sub-par record of 4-6. That's good considering their overall record is 8-19.
There are two major differences between the Miami Heat and the Pelicans. First, Miami have been relatively injury free and second, on their day they play like East contenders. The catch lies in the fact that this team is highly unpredictable as well and has struggled to be consistent and build some sort of a streak or momentum.
Over the course of their 26 games so far, they have beaten powerhouses like Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks however at the same time they have dropped easy games against weak depleted squads like the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors.
Prediction:
With the nature of both these teams, it’s tough to pick a clear winner. Having said that, purely based on the performance of the teams so far, it’s safe to say the Miami Heat is the team to put your money on.
#2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Chicago Bulls
Time: 26th Dec, 1:00 hrs IST
Team Previews:
The Chicago Bulls are facing a crisis. It’s like all hell has broken loose. It almost feels like the team is self-destructing. First there was a report of Jimmy Butler wanting Coach Fred Hoiberg to be more assertive on the team. Another report said Pau Gasol wanted Jimmy Butler’s opinion to be within the team. Joakim Noah in a quote didn’t seem too excited about how the Bulls were playing.
The fact that there is uncertainty looming over the team’s future while it’s registered a record of 15-11 (.577) is proof that there is skill and talent on this team. They have lost four in a row and six of their last ten including losses to the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns.
The OKC are on a completely contrasting path. The Thunder are flat out balling and will welcome the Bulls to their Chesapeake Arena having won 13 of their last 17 games. Obviously Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant’s dominating and clutch play has been a huge reason for Oklahoma City’s run but their offensive (2nd in the league) and defensive (7th in the league) numbers as a team cannot be ignored.
Prediction:
The Bulls are facing an identity crisis of whether to push the pace or be a defense first team like they have been for the last five years. On the other hand, the Thunder are getting more and more comfortable under Coach Billy Donovan. OKC are 13-3 at home while the Bulls are 4-6 on the road.
Rooting for KD and his team would be the wiser decision.
#3 Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Telecast: 26th Dec, 03:30 hrs IST on Sony Six and Sony Six HD
Team Previews:
What can you say about the Golden State Warriors? Their 26-1 record, which included a 24 game win streak to start the season, speaks for itself. Mind you, they have continued to roll despite missing key contributor Harrison Barnes for the last 10 games and Andrew Bogut occasionally due to back sprains.
He might not realistically be in contention but reigning league MVP Stephen Curry has raised his level of play to out of this world, he’s on pace to shoot 400 three’s this season. Heart and soul of the Warriors Draymond Green is literally doing everything for the team averaging 14.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists. He is tied with Rajon Rondo for most triple doubles this season with four, not to mention his 5x5 (5 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 5 stls, 5 blks) game against the Boston Celtics.
The last time the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Warriors, they were heavily undermanned. This time around the Cavs will drive into Oracle Arena a full strength squad, with the most recent return from injury of Kyrie Irving on Sunday. Having the entire roster at Coach David Blatt’s disposal however does not give Cleveland any edge over their Christmas Day opponents. Often LeBron James has literally carried the team in the fourth quarters to lead them to a win despite a sloppy performance as a unit.
Prediction:
The momentum and confidence without a doubt lies with the Warriors but certainly Cleveland will fancy their chances given the healhty squad. Both teams can get hot offensively so the team that can play better lock down defense to close the game or throughout the game should eventually win. I'm picking the defending champs here.
#4 Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs
Telecast: 26th Dec, 06:30 hrs IST on Sony Six and Sony Six HD
Team Previews:
In early May, when the San Antonio Spurs were eliminated by Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2015 Playoffs, everybody strongly believed that their dynasty is over and the team will now be completely built around rising star Kawhi Leonard. Well not so surprisingly, the Spurs adapted by landing the summer's biggest free agent and bringing back most of their players from last season.
Despite the addition of ball dominant LaMarcus Aldridge and old age of the Spurs’ core, the team has been historically dominant on both ends of the floor. They have began the season with a record of 24-6, which includes a franchise record 16 game winning streak at home to start the season. They rank third in the league in offensive efficiency and first in defensive efficiency by allowing only 92.8 points per game.
While the steady engine of the Spurs continues to chug along, the Rockets’ engine is facing a lot of problems. Whether it's chemistry issues, lack of motivation, inefficienct play of superstar James Harden or the controversary surrounding Dwights Howard’s unhappiness, we will never know what caused the slow rough start to the season that cost Kevin McHale his Head Coaching job.
Prediction:
San Antonio is a clear clear favorite in this matchup. All their bigs have played terrific team post defense which should shut down Howard, Leonard shouldn’t find it hard to nuetralize Harden, having just demonstrated his defensive skills to the rest of the league by keeping MVP Candidate Paul George to a 1-14 shooting night. What makes matters worse for Houston is that the Spurs are league leaders in restricting what the Rockets love to do: shoot three pointers.
Spurs all the way in this one.
#5 Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers
Telecast: 26th Dec, 09:00 hrs IST on Sony Six and Sony Six HD
Team Previews:
Although the Clippers are 16-13 in the season so far, it’s not too harsh to say that both the Los Angeles pro basketball teams are doing miserably right now. In four encounters against the top 3 Western Conference teams in the Warriors, Spurs and the Thunder, the Clippers have led heading into the fourth quarter and have still managed to lose.
When he is not resting or ailing with injuries, Chris Paul has still carried this team along with Blake Griffin because the fact of the matter the “new deep bench” of the Clippers has miserably failed so far. Austin Rivers and Josh Smith have disastrous +/- numbers, Lance Stephenson has found it really hard to understand his role on the team and Paul Pierce simply lacks the physical will to deliver for the team in the regular season.
Lakers meanwhile are just boring to watch and a disaster on the court. Good teams have really demonstrated the disappointing and terrible level at which the purple and gold franchise has played so far this season. It being Kobe Bryant’s last season and farewell tour while on the road is the only reasons the arenas are filling when the Lakers are scheduled to take the court.
Prediction:
As bad as they have been the Lakers are simply no match for the superior talent that they Clippers constitute. This will be a washout game and the worst possible mash-up the league could have arranged as a late night West Coast game.
Guess the Lakers players!
