The NBA will present five televised games on Christmas Day, whether Phil Jackson likes it or not. The crown jewel of this year's Holy Day festivities is the premiere match-up between the new Miami Heat starring LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and the two-time defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers.
NBA Christmas Day Preview: Lakers Vs. Heat Might Be A Finals Prelude, But Bulls Vs. Knicks Will Light Up Your Life
The NBA Christmas Day schedule features five games, headlined by the premiere pairing of the new Heat and the two-time champion Lakers.
Getty Images
But there’s gold in the other match-ups, too. Here’s a breakdown of all five games.
The Bulls and Knicks have each improved dramatically over last season. Chicago's upgrades came in the form of Carlos Boozer and Tom Thibodeau. Boozer, who missed the first month of the season with a broken wrist, has sung as the frontcourt scorer the Bulls have always needed. Boozer has averaged 19 points and eight rebounds this season, helping balance the court with star point guard Derrick Rose. Thibodeau, meanwhile, has turned the team's defense around. The Bulls are third in the league in defense, up from 11th last season.
The Knicks, meanwhile, took on Amar'e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton, and the high-octane offense New York fans were promised with Mike D'Antoni's 2008 arrival has finally materialized. The Knicks are 17-12, with the league's No. 5 offense. But as you'd expect with an Amar'e-D'Antoni squad, the defense has underwhelmed.
Entertainment potential: High. The Bulls are the superior team and the Knicks aren't the best home team (7-7 this year), but Amar'e has been out-of-this-world on offense and Joakim Noah's absence could allow Stoudemire to go full hog. Of course, no Knick but perhaps Ronny Turiaf can slow Boozer. The same goes for Rose and Felton -- if either has their outside jumper going in, it could be a big offensive afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
Prediction: Both teams break 100 points, Bulls win by single-digits. Spike Lee does not wear a Santa hat.
The Magic have now had three games after the two big trades last weekend, and it seems as though things are coming together. Any time you can beat the Spurs is worth a high-five and double scotch, and Orlando knocked off San Antonio on Thursday night with all three of the high-profile newcomers -- Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas -- playing pretty well.
Of course, the team begins and ends with Dwight Howard, a man becoming a legend right before our eyes. He's on pace to become the first player since Kevin Garnett in 2005 to average more than 22 points and 13 rebounds, and should just be awarded Defensive Player of the Year for third straight year right now.
The Celtics have some legends of their own, starting with Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. There's also the still-bangin' Shaquille O'Neal, quite possibly the tough-as-nails Rajon Rondo (who is expected to be out recovering from a sprained ankle for another week, but, fool me once ...) and one of the NBA's best benches. That's where the Magic will be tested the most. Behind Howard and starting power forward Brandon Bass, the Magic are rather thin up front. If any team in the East is suited to attack that, it's Boston. The Christmas match-up should be a solid litmus test for Orlando's frontline, even if the Celtics figure to get even deeper when Jermaine O'Neal and Kendrick Perkins are back in the fold.
Entertainment potential: Undetermined. This could turn out to be a blow-out in either direction, or it could be a classic with Howard grinding against the Celtics' legends. Hardcore NBA heads will appreciate it no matter what -- the tactics and specific unit match-ups will mean a lot come April and May -- but the casual fan has a decent chance of being turned off should one team run away. It's no fun watching Marquis Daniels and Semih Erden run a pick-and-roll!
Prediction: Magic win a low-scoring affair with Howard dominating the paint. Tiger Woods is not in attendance.
Heat vs. Lakers, 5 PM ET, ABC
The granddaddy of the them all! (Or something.) Don't forget that Heat-Lakers used to be a Christmas staple, back when Shaq joined Wade in Miami and feuded with Kobe Bryant. Those games were predicated much more on personal drama than compelling basketball or legit Finals previews. This edition is pure basketball candy: the Heat have been smokin' hot, and the Lakers have won the West three straight years. Assuming Wade plays, Kobe will be forced to take on a huge defensive challenge as Ron Artest shadows King James.
Now the personal drama exists on the sidelines, where Phil Jackson has been trying to stir the pot with regards to Erik Spoelstra’s job security. You know that Pat Riley put his team together with two eyes on Jackson and the Lakers, knowing he’ll have to overcome the champs to reach the peak again. Don’t underestimate how much stock Riley will put into this game.
Entertainment potential: Enormous. A million storylines will sprout from this game, no matter the result. And they’ll all be worth paying attention to. Except the ones about LeBron’s mom.
Prediction: Heat close out a tight win, leading columnists to speculate Kobe is getting old. Jack Nicholson disagrees vehemently with a whistle. David Arquette looks crazy.
Carmelo Anthony won't play due to the death of his sister. The Thunder should be able to beat the Nuggets either way -- 'Melo hasn't had consistent offensive help this season, and Oklahoma City's scoring punch of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook can overcome just about any defense. This game looked a lot better when the Thunder were the Lakers' next challenger and the Nuggets were looking to make a sincere title push. Neither are the case.
Entertainment potential: Middling. It's always a great time watching Westbrook and Durant, but there's real blow-out potential here. The Thunder like to give up big runs, but who outside of J.R. Smith can really threaten that among the Nuggets?
Prediction: Easy Thunder victory. Boisterous OKC crowd. Seven hundred NBA Cares commercials featuring Durant.
Blazers vs. Warriors, 10:30 PM ET, ESPN
Stephen Curry is questionable for this game, and that's a bummer, because the kid's a joy to watch. The Warriors have settled into normalcy (for them): OK on offense, terrible on defense. The Blazers, meanwhile, are average in just about every way, a real unfortunate turn for a team excepted by some to contend for the Western crown.
Entertainment potential: Good. When Monta Ellis is involved, a 40-point night could be involved, and that’s always fun. Otherwise, this is pretty much the definition of a hoopshead classic. After a long Christmas, Warriors-Blazers is made for folks winding down, not sitting on the edge of their seat.
Prediction: Blazers win a sloppy game, with LaMarcus Aldridge leading the way.
See More:
