Christmas Day is hours away, and the NBA is gifting its fans with a wishlist of games. While the holiday promotes spending quality time with family and friends, the Dec. 25 matchups have been a suspect for stealing fans’ attention like the Grinch stole Christmas every year.
This year the league has prepared five games spreading throughout the entire day. Ten of the NBA’s most entertaining teams have been assigned to be their present to fans this year. MVP candidates, past drama, and seed-altering collisions are all in attendance. All games will be airing on ABC and ESPN. Here are the games in chronological order, tipoff times, and which teams are likely to win.
76er vs. Knicks, 12 P.M. ET
The NBA starts off Christmas morning with an Atlantic Division showdown. The Philadelphia 76ers are riding a seven-game win streak into Christmas Day, and Joel Embiid is having an MVP-caliber season, leading the team in points per game with 32.5, assists per game with 4.7, and shooting 52.4% from the field. Embiid also has been leading on the defensive end with 9.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. But Embiid is far from alone in the city of brotherly love. While his numbers are not as high as in previous seasons, James Harden is his usual bucket-scoring self, and Tyrese Maxey has evolved into the team’s secondary scoring option. The 76ers are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference.
On the other hand, the New York Knicks are finding great success to start the season and sit right behind the the 76ers in conference standings. The blue and orange are coming off a recent win streak of their own, stringing eight straight before losing to Toronto on Dec. 21. The rest of the team has rallied behind Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett spearheading the march. Tom Thibodeau’s squad has plenty to be proud of as they have gained the respect of fans and team’s in the east and around the NBA.
Prediction: 76ers defeat Knicks by at least 10 points
Lakers vs. Mavericks, 2:30 P.M. ET
Anthony Davis just can’t catch a break. Every time Davis gets to punching in numbers and fans get excited, the eight-time All-Star is routinely plagued by injury. In the midst of an MVP campaign, Davis suffered a foot injury and the timeline for his return is to be determined. Without Davis, the Lakers are lead by Lebron James, Russell Westbrook, and a supporting cast that has warranted endless criticism. Davis’ injury has stunted what looked like a turnaround for the Lakers’ season…
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