While the story around the NBA over the past week has been how teams are dealing with Covid issues, it looks like we still will have a full slate of Christmas day games after a doubt there would be earlier this week.
The marquee matchup will be the Suns vs. Warriors in Phoenix, as these two teams look like they are playing at another level than the rest of the league. In the East, the Bucks take on the Celtics and the Hawks face the Knicks which should be competitive games. If you are just getting caught up with what’s the NBA season, head over to our
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Top Christmas Day Games
Warriors vs. Suns
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The Warriors face off against the Suns in a big showdown in Phoenix with both teams having the best records in the league. The Suns have been even more impressive than last year as Chris Paul looks like he hasn’t lost a step and the young core is one year older and is collectively playing at a high level on both ends. Devin Booker was out for a few weeks with a hamstring strain and should be a go for Christmas day.
The Warriors look like they have turned back the clock several years with Draymond Green and Steph Curry playing at a high level and younger role players like Andrew Wiggins, Damien Lee, Otto Porter, and Gary Payton II bringing a ton of new energy to the Warriors on both ends of the floor. At this point, it looks like the Suns and Warriors will be battling for the top seed in the West all year which may ultimately dictate who ends up making it to the Finals.
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Nets vs. Lakers
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Durant is back to 100% health and one of the favorites to win MVP
The Nets and Lakers look like two teams headed in opposite directions after many thought they would be a potential NBA finals matchup. The Nets have a 100% healthy Kevin Durant which means they have one of the top 3 players in the league and also received some welcoming news that Kyrie Irving will be eligible to play in games on the road that don’t have vaccine mandates.
The Nets originally were very firm on their stance of allowing Irving to join the team unless he was vaccinated but the Nets have been hit hard by Covid and had 10 players in protocols in the last week which prompted the Irving news. With a healthy Irving, Harden, and Durant, the Nets would be very tough to beat in a seven-game series which is one reason the Nets are the current NBA title favorites.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have lost four in a row including a 28 point loss to the Spurs and there is some concern over whether or not this Lakers squad as constructed will even make the playoffs. Lebron James has played well since coming back from injury, but the rest of the supporting cast is inconsistent on both ends and the Lakers have struggled to find a consistent lineup that can show up night after night. If things continue to trend like they are, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Lakers make some major moves before the deadline and reshape their roster.
Mavericks vs. Jazz
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Luke Doncic is one of the best shooters in the NBA
The Mavs and Jazz are two teams in the West that don’t get a ton of media attention but are very entertaining to watch. Both squads shoot very well from three-point range and the Jazz right behind the Suns and Warriors at 22-9 and the current 3 seed in the West.
Donovon Mitchell is having another great season and is currently averaging 25 points per game and the rest of the Jazz starters are all averaging over double figures. If the Suns are Warriors sugar any injuries down the stretch, the Jazz are a team to keep an eye on that could potentially make a run like the Suns did last year. The Mavericks are right at .500 and Luka Doncic has faced some heat for being overweight early in the season.
