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The NBA has always made it a point of giving the fans its best basketball during the holidays. In recent years, the league has scheduled 5 best possible games for Christmas Day with no game overlapping the other, thus allowing the fans to not miss any game.Only one game before Christmas day guarantees entertainment, while the others are disappointing to say the least. Here are the five games. All times are in Indian Standard Time(IST).Washington Wizards Vs New York Knicks [25th December 10:30 pm ] Oklahoma City Thunder Vs San Antonio Spurs [26th December 1:00 am ]Cleveland Cavaliers Vs Miami Heat [26th December 3:30 am ]Chicago Bulls Vs Los Angeles Lakers [26th December 6:30 am ]Golden State Warriors Vs Los Angeles Clippers [26th December 9:00 am]At the start of the season, these games looked like the best five entertainment wise, but now, you can probably turn on your television sets for just three of those games considering the current sorry state of the Knicks and Lakers.Here’s a preview to the 5 Christmas Day games:
#5 Washington Wizards Vs New York Knicks
Avoid tuning into this game or streaming it online unless you’re a diehard fan of one of the teams because this is a contest between two teams on the opposite ends of the standings in the Eastern Conference.The Knicks are last, but one with a record of 5-25 while the John Wall led Wizards carried their strong Playoffs performance to the regular season with a record of 19-7, third in the East ahead of the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
3-15, that’s the win-loss record for the Knicks in games decided by 7 points or lesser up until the 18th of December which clearly means they lack the fortitude and composure to finish games as the winning team. With injuries to J.R.Smith and Iman Shumpert, and superstar Carmelo Anthony’s game hampered by his troubling knees, the Knicks will have to sweat it out just to be competitive.
If they do manage to keep it close in the final minutes, trust the Knicks team to hand the game to their opponents. Probably the only reason the league had this game on Christmas day was because they wanted a basketball game to be played during the holidays at the Mecca, otherwise known as Madison Square Garden.
Watch out for: A blowout courtesy the Wizards.
#4 San Antonio Spurs Vs Oklahoma City Thunder
The status of reigning league MVP Kevin Durant would be crucial in deciding the outcome of this game after he sprained a surgically repaired right leg. Current NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard has missed the last four games with a hand injury, but given the non-dependence of the Spurs on one player, the impact of his injury will be limited.
The time span between when Durant returned from his Jones fracture till he sprained it once again, the Thunder won nine of their ten games and were on a seven-game winning streak. If Durant does not play or is under a minute’s restriction, it would be safe to say that the Spurs have the game in their pocket even before the first whistle.
The competitor that he is, Russell Westbrook will take it upon himself to rally the Thunder, but the Spurs defense is just too good to be beaten by one player. Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich is notorious for resting his key players during long road trips or during the second game of back to back games. With no games scheduled across the league on Christmas Eve, it would be a safe bet to expect the stars of San Antonio to take the floor in their playing uniforms.
Watch out for: A rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals.
#3 Cleveland Cavaliers Vs Miami Heat
Chris Bosh is battling a calf injury, but believes he can return in time for the game against his former teammate LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day. The Miami Heat need both their superstars in Bosh and Dwyane Wade healthy and fit just to be competitive against their star studded opponents that include Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.
Miami have been far from impressive this season so far. Everybody put them on the “teams that will surprise” list, but the nagging injuries of Bosh and Wade leaves too much for the rest of the team to do themselves. Most of Miami’s 13 wins have been against non-Playoff teams of both conferences.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers have been inconsistent and streaky, but have shown their capability to dismantle teams when all players are on the same page on both ends of the floor. On paper and on the court, they are way ahead of this older and lesser talented Heat team. This contest might by hyped by James’ return to Miami, but basketball wise, its a no contest.
Watch out for: Crowd’s reaction to James’ return.
#2 Chicago Bulls Vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers will be playing away from Staples Center on Christmas Day for the first time after many years. Nevertheless, this game is another no contest. The Lakers have Xavier Henry, Steve Nash and Julius Randle out with season ending injuries. Coming into this season, we all knew this team had no defensive ability in them. Offense was the key, but the team has struggled at that as well. They are ranked last in defensive efficiency and are among the last 10 in offensive efficiency.
With all these issues, there is no way the purple and gold franchise is going to put up a contest against Derrick Rose and the Bulls. Chicago have been smartly resting players with injury issues and yet winning at a respectable pace due to a deep roster.
A revitalized Pau Gasol, an improved Jimmy Butler and a possible Rookie of the Year candidate in Nikola Mirotic along with the current stars of the team in Rose, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson make the Bulls not just strong favorites for this match, but also for the NBA title.
Watch out for: Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant playing on different teams after 2 championships in 8 years as Laker teammates.
#1 Golden State Warriors Vs Los Angeles Clippers
The league saved the best for the last. A Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers game is probably the most exciting one right now in the league. The animosity and competitive nature between these two teams went to a whole new level during their first round encounter in last season’s playoffs. Both these teams have similar playing styles and are the two most exciting teams to watch in the league right now. So if you want to watch to catch the best of Christmas Day action tune into this game.
The Warriors are currently playing superb basketball in franchise history registering a 23-3 record in the season so far. On the flip side, the Clippers overcame early struggles to finally find their groove. These two teams played each other at the Warriors’ home court in Oracle Arena last Christmas as well.
Two key matchups that could decide the fate of the game are the point guard and the power forward battle: Chris Paul Vs Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin Vs Draymond Green. The Warriors have championship strengths in deep bench, versatility and are the only team to be top 5 offensive and defensive effiencies, while the Clippers are still searching for production at the Small Forward. Who can get the best of their opponent?
Tune in to find out in this close battle between two bitter rivals. It wouldn’t be wrong to sayThe Warriors do have a slight edge, but the game will be a close one.
Watch out for: The most exciting game of all Christmas Day matchups.
Guess the Lakers players!
