NBA Christmas Day games schedule rankings and primer

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) on a drive to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City. The Rockets and the Thunder will meet on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams, File)

There’s an inherit danger in scheduling your marquee games well before the season begins.

On the NBA’s biggest showcase date outside of the playoffs, the league works to put its biggest stars and flagship franchises on national television for a global audience at home on Christmas looking to ignore their families and watch 12 straight hours of basketball.

So it makes sense that the New York Knicks, despite being more or less unwatchable, play on Christmas. Ditto LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, and a matchup of the last two MVPs, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. But other games, like Portland versus Utah, seemed far more exciting three months ago than today.

Yes, the NBA would surely like some mulligans on this year’s Christmas Day schedule — after learning that ESPN’s ratings for Raptors games, for example, have exceeded expectations, it’s almost unfathomable that Raptors-Spurs is not on the list — but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty reason to watch nonetheless.

Here’s a ranking of each Christmas Day matchup, from least to most watchable:

5. Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks (12 p.m. ET)

Star gazing: Giannis Antetokounmpo. And, with Kristaps Porzingis injured, that’s the list.

Under-the-radar player to watch: The “new” Brook Lopez (a sudden three-point machine), Emmanuel Mudiay, the 2015 lottery pick who’s turning his career around for the Knicks after looking like a bust with Denver, and Knicks promising rookie Kevin Knox.

Marquee Matchup: Antetokounmpo vs. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Key storyline: The Greek Freak always has big games at Madison Square Garden, but we’ll have to see how he plans to top this:

4. Portland Trail Blazers @ Utah Jazz (10:30 p.m. ET)

Star gazing: Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, C.J. McCollum.

Under-the-radar player to watch: Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio and utility man Joe Ingles, Portland’s Nik Stauskas, the Canadian former lottery pick who, despite inconsistencies, has had a handful of breakout-type games this season.

Marquee Matchup: McCollum vs. Mitchell, a battle of two incredibly gifted offensive threats and defensive liabilities who can’t guard each other. Let the shootout begin.

Key storyline: The Jazz will be looking to prove that their slow start — hovering around .500 — can be overcome, but will have to do so against Lillard, who may be the NBA’s most overlooked superstar. Here’s hoping he reminds us why in this national showcase.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets (3 p.m. ET)

Star gazing: James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Paul George.

Under-the-radar player to watch: Thunder big man Steven Adams isn’t quite under-the-radar but has made a significant leap forward this season; feel-good story Deonte Burton and hyper-explosive sophomore Terrance Ferguson of OKC.

Marquee Matchup: Harden vs. Westbrook in a battle of the past two MVPs, undoubtedly one of the most enthralling one-on-one matchups on Christmas.

Key storyline: Houston has strung together some good wins of late, but is trending in the opposite direction of the Thunder, who are in the hunt for first place in the West. This is a meeting of the NBA’s best offence, Houston, versus its best defence, Oklahoma City.

2. Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics (5:30 p.m. ET)

Star gazing: Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum.

Under-the-radar player to watch: Sixers backup point guard T.J. McConnell and rookie shooter Landry Shamet, Boston’s enigmatic rookie big man Robert Williams.

Marquee Matchup: Simmons vs. Tatum. We’ll see if these two actually guard each other, but those two, along with Utah’s Mitchell, went toe-to-toe for Rookie of the Year honours last season and seem to be a lock to be rivals for years to come in the East.

Key storyline: Two teams looking to establish themselves behind the Raptors atop the East in a star-studded matchup and rematch of last year’s thrilling seven-game East semifinals. With Al Horford injured, will anybody on Boston be able to stop Embiid?

1. Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors (8 p.m. ET)

Star gazing: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green.

Under-the-radar player to watch: Lakers guards Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball (under-the-radar as a defender), Golden State’s Jonas Jerebko and former Raptor Alfonzo McKinnie.

Marquee Matchup: James vs. Durant. Two of the best of their era — or any era — these two have duelled before, and we look forward to watching them duel again.

Key storyline: Yes, we’ve seen it plenty before, but there is no fatigue when it comes to this generation’s greatest player, LeBron, going to battle against his biggest foes in Curry and the Warriors.

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