NBA Christmas Day Games Preview
If you asked for some NBA action for Christmas, tomorrow you get your wish. A full day of games that have all intriguing teams going into it. A day that starts around noon and continues throughout the day, you can find some NBA action on. Take today to rest up and tomorrow you’ll get settled in for five games of NBA goodness.
Brooklyn Nets (14-12) and Boston Celtics (13-13)
Two teams that are still finding their way through the Eastern Conference. In many preseason polls, these two teams were right at the top of the predicted season previews. But the Nets and Celtics are actually towards 7th and 8th in the Eastern Conference. Still not at the halfway point of the season, so there’s time for them to make up that gap. The Celtics I think just want to get to the playoffs, and let the chips fall after that. A veteran team that can seem to turn it on when they need to. But the Nets, I think want to show they’re a team to contend with, and should make a push for those top playoff seeds.
New York Knicks (20-7) and Los Angeles Lakers (13-14)
You look at the records and think they’re reversed, but the Knicks have really stepped up their play this season. Blowing out Miami helped show they’re ready to come back to the national stage. Getting a win tomorrow could do even more even if it’s against a not so good Lakers team. It’s still the Lakers, and this game is being played in Los Angeles. Getting a win there can be tough, so the Knicks have to bring their A game, especially since the nation will be watching.
Oklahoma City Thunder (21-5) and Miami Heat (18-6)
A rematch of the NBA Finals from a year ago and it could be a preview for this year’s NBA Finals with the way the Heat and Thunder are playing. The Thunder can score at will and it’s hard to figure out how to stop on that team. The Heat’s season won’t matter till the post season. We all know they’ll lose a game or two that they have no business losing, but it won’t matter unless it’s the playoffs. The Thunder could be at that same point as well. With the way they are rolling, they’ll be the number one seed and looking to get back to the NBA Finals or this season is a bust. Two teams wanting to head in the same direction, this will be a good game to watch.
Houston Rockets (14-12) and Chicago Bulls (15-11)
This might be the least attractive match up and I am surprised the NBA is putting it on the Christmas Day special. Still there are talents to be found here. The country can kick back to see what Jeremy Lin can do. Just imagine if he had to contend with Derrick Rose, but Rose is out, so that won’t happen. James Harden started off the season so hot you thought that summer was still around. He’s cooled off a bit since then, but still has that firepower. On the Bulls’ side, they’re just trying to float along till Rose gets back. I think they’ll be right at the bottom of the playoff seeds, but perhaps Rose can return and help get some good playoff run.
Denver Nuggets (15-13) and Los Angeles Clippers (21-6)
If you’re still awake from all the festivities of Christmas, here’s a late night match up of two run and gun Western Conference teams. The Clippers are enjoying, for the time being, the toast of Los Angeles. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are tearing it up now known as Lob City. With a guy like Griffin, you could throw it up and he should be able to finish. But it’s the depth of the Clippers that is helping matters. Their bench looks strong, and can come in to make their own plays on the floor. The Nuggets are that team that I can’t ever remember who is there, but I know are a good team waiting to make a run. Ty Lawson would be one of the names to pop out, but this is truly a team effort to get things done. I think this turns into a shoot out, and who ever scores 110 first wins.