This year the NBA Christmas games are going to be good.Starting off on December 25th at 2:30 PM the Dallas Mavericks will face off the Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas. This game will also be a western conference finals rematch between the Mavericks and Wolves.The next game is last year’s championship winning Celtics face off against the 76’ers in TD Garden at 5 PM. Then we have the Knicks versus Spurs at Madison square garden at 12:30PM. Up next at 8:30 PM we have a Lebron and Curry match up with Lakers versus Warriors at Chase Center arena. Lastly the Denver Nuggets will face off against the Phoenix sun at Footprint Center. While all of the games are sure to be engaging, some will stand out over others. Here is my ranked list of which games to keep an eye out for over the holidays:
#5 Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns
The Nuggets VS Suns will be a very mid game. I say this because they both either win by a little bit or lose by a lot and both of these teams have an almost identical record. The Nuggets have an 13-10 record placing fifth in the western conference, right below the 17-9 Mavericks. And then the Phoenix Suns having a 14-11 record placing sixth in the western conference right below the Nuggets. The results of this game are still important as it will decide which team will move up in the rankings. Overall this game may not be as exciting as some of the other games coming up.
#4 Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
Fourth on my list is the Boston Celtics vs the Philadelphia 76ers. Now the reason that I put this game here is plain and simple. The 76ers are not good. Their record is 8-16 which places them 12th in their conference. And it doesn’t help that they’re facing the 21-5 Celtics with super stars such as Jason Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Kristap Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Al Horford. The 76ers only have a washed up Paul George, injured Jared McCain, Joel Embid, and Tyrese Maxy who is carrying the Sixers. Overall this WILL be a blowout by the Celtics at home likely creating a very fun game for Celtics fans but yet another loss for 76ers fans.
#3 Minnesota TimberWolves vs Dallas Mavericks
Now is when the games start getting good with the Timber Wolvers traveling to Dallas to faceoff. The Wolves are at a disadvantage with losing one of their star players Karl Anthony-Towns. This breaks up the iconic duo in Minnesota with Anthony Edwards which previously took them all the way to the western conference finals. Since losing KAT their record dropped to 14-11. But on the Mavericks side they have only gotten better. With the addition of Klay Thompson the Mavericks have been great this season and made them get a record of 17-9 which is pretty good. These teams will have a great match up on Christmas and I definitely recommend watching them.
#2 Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors
My second most anticipated game that I recommend watching is the Warriors vs Lakers. Now the reason as to why I chose this game is because they both have very close records with the Lakers having a 14-12 record and the Warriors having a 14-11 record. Both teams have super talent such as Lakers Lebron “King” James with Anythony “rejected” Davis and the Warriors legendary three point shooter Steph Curry and defensive monster Draymond Green. Overall this game will be a good one with the Lebron and Steph Curry 2016 finals rematch. I would definitely tune into this game.
#1 San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks
Now this is going to be a good game. With the Spurs traveling to New York for the two most popular big mans in the league such as the newest addition to the Knicks roster, Karl Anthony-Towns, the game will likely be close. The San Antonio Spurs have Victor Wembamyama, a strong player who is seven foot three! The Spurs have a 13-13 and the Knicks have a 16-10 record. Both of these teams should have a really high competitive game with both having big guys in the paint. Overall this game is a must watch.
