The NBA released its full slate of Christmas Day action. The usual suspects will take centre stage on Dec. 25.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden Sate Warriors will face off for the third consecutive year on Christmas. The Cavs won last year’s matchup 109-108 on a Kyrie Irving jump shot.
With all the rumours surrounding Irving, Cleveland’s roster could be very different come that time. Oracle Arena will get to see the Xmas grudge match between the past two NBA Champions. The Warriors won the first matchup 89-83 in 2015.
The Philadelphia 76ers will be playing on the Christmas for the first time since 2001. They will take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in the first game of the day.
The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder will square off in OKC with their newest off-season additions in the prime-time game.
The Thunder’s Paul George will be playing in his first Christmas Day game. Houston’s Chris Paul didn’t play in last year’s festivities while with the Los Angeles Clippers due to a hamstring injury.
The NBA’s newest rivalry between the the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics will precede that matchup. It will feature star point guards Isaiah Thomas and John Wall. Boston’s prized free agent signing Gordon Hayward will be suiting up in his first Christmas Day game.
The night cap is between two teams filled with young talent. Canadian Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves will head to Los Angeles to take on the new-look Lakers.
Both teams had a busy off-season, with Minnesota acquiring Jimmy Butler and the Lakers drafting Lonzo Ball.
The San Antonio Spurs will not be part of the festivities for the first time since 2012. The Toronto Raptors are still waiting to make their Christmas Day debut.
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