The NBA is announcing a slew of nationally televised marquee games for the 2018-19 season on Wednesday — including games during the league’s opening week (beginning Oct. 16th), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the annual slate of Christmas Day games.
The Christmas games take centre stage in that group, with armchair schedule-makers weighing in on their ideal matchups for the day-long affair, five consecutive games in all.
The NBA’s slate will feature a slew of big-name stars, renewed rivalries, up-and-coming teams, and major U.S. market mainstays. Here’s how the Dec.25 schedule breaks down:
Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz
The Christmas games are an effective way for the league to tout some of its biggest and brightest stars, a chance to put established players on a deserving stage and to provide exposure for jaw-dropping talents plying their trade in smaller markets.
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If healthy, some of the main attractions on Dec. 25 include: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Rudy Gobert, Al Horford, Draymond Green, Khris Middleton, Clint Capela and Lonzo Ball (not to mention DeMarcus Cousins and Kristaps Porzingis, who are recovering from long-term injuries that could force them out of action for significant chunks of next season).
Throw in the long list of snubs and it’s no wonder why the NBA is so popular thanks to the deepest pool of star talent in this era.
Around these parts, it’s who didn’t crack the list that is a popular topic of conversation as, despite adding arguably the East’s best player in Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors will continue their 23-year streak of being shut out of the NBA’s Christmas showcase.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of intriguing storylines, and compelling matchups to look forward to. Here’s a look at each of the Christmas Day games, ranked by which ones we’re most looking forward to:
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5. Bucks vs. Knicks
Why you should watch: Because Antetokounmpo will be in the midst of an MVP-worthy season as he continues his climb atop the rankings in claim of the title of the NBA’s best player.
Aside from that, this is pretty clearly the least compelling matchup of the bunch. The Bucks will be good and fighting for home court advantage in the East, while the Knicks might not completely suck — which is the more than they’ve able to say in recent years. Optimism surrounding new coach Dave Fizdale, as well as Knicks youngsters Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina helped land New York here, but given they still have the makings of a lottery team this game is a Giannis showcase if there ever was one.
Marquee matchup: Porzingis may still be nursing the ACL injury that cut his season short last February, which should help propel rookie forward Kevin Knox to a starring role on Christmas Day against Giannis Antetokounmpo. Knox impressed at Summer League in Las Vegas and should be able to step in and do damage in the NBA from day one, but needless to say he didn’t have to go up against a beast like the Greek Freak:
4. Trail Blazers vs. Jazz
Why you should watch: Neither team may have the widespread name appeal of some of the clubs they were chosen over… yet.
Two teams likely headed in opposite directions — Portland’s status quo could see its stock drop in the West, while Utah is quietly one of the NBA’s rising threats who are expected to take another step forward next season and challenge for a top-four seed — both feature bona fide stars in the backcourt and distinct styles that could make for an entertaining tug-of-war.
Portland owns a high-octane offence built around its star backcourt while the Jazz are one of the NBA’s most vaunted defensive teams — on average Utah and San Antonio were the only teams to hold opponents to under 100 points per game last season. Something has got to give in this clash of two teams looking to break into the West’s upper echelon.
Marquee matchup: Portland’s best player, point guard Lillard, is one of the league’s most exciting and potent offensive weapons yet remains an all-too-often overlooked star. He’ll get his chance to shine, but it’s the matchup at shooting guard — Donovan Mitchell versus C.J. McCollum — that we’ll be watching out for.
Mitchell was found gold for the Jazz last season. The 13th-overall pick of the 2017 draft went on to have one of the more impressive rookie seasons in memory and was one of just 23 NBAers to average over 20 points per game last season. With him handling scoring duties, the Jazz figure to be one of the league’s fastest-rising teams, and it’s no surprise that the NBA would want to feature one of its brightest young stars to a national audience.
As for McCollum, he is an electrifying scorer himself who falls under the radar, but will need plenty of help to contain Mitchell.
3. Thunder vs. Rockets
Why you should watch: For one, it’s always fun to watch Harden face his old team and wonder what could have been with an OKC nucleus of Harden, Durant, and Westbrook.
The teams also feature compelling matchups at multiple positions — from Paul and/or Harden versus Westbrook at point guard, to George and Carmelo Anthony, and a big man clash between Steven Adams and Capela. But the biggest reason to watch is because these two teams stand to have a better chance of usurping Golden State in the West. That this game becomes a de facto “best of the rest” matchup is only a testament to the Warriors’ dominance.
Marquee matchup: Take your Harden versus Westbrook and give me Adams versus Capela all day. Both centres provide a new dynamic when they’re on the floor, giving their clubs a ton of flexibility, and will be major factors in why the Thunder and Rockets have a chance to topple the NBA’s current dynasty.
2. Celtics vs. 76ers
Why you should watch: Despite optimism about the Raptors’ chances of winning the East, Boston-Philly is pretty clearly the East’s marquee rivalry at the moment, thanks to recent playoff history (the Celts knocked out the Sixers in the second round in 2018) and a depth of young star talent that should keep both clubs in contention for the top seed in the conference for years to come.
Marquee matchup: With plenty of options, Tatum versus Simmons should garner plenty of attention in a duel between two of last year’s most impressive rookies. After eye-opening first-year campaigns from both — Simmons’ unique ability to absolutely dominate a game without taking a jump shot and Tatum’s near-elite scoring instincts — it’s hard to wrap your head around each’s potential, and the two will remain linked as this rivalry gains footing going forward.
1. Lakers vs. Warriors
Why you should watch: I’m pretty sure you already know, but it’s because the NBA’s best player is back to fight the NBA’s best team — and this time he brought some new friends.
The Lakers may not be ready to topple the Warriors next season, but we’ll be witnessing the early steps of a new Lakers powerhouse that will be built around James with the aim of becoming the club to eventually stop the Warriors’ Finals streak.
Marquee matchup: It’s the league’s biggest marquee matchup, and therefore no surprise that the NBA is prioritizing it on Christmas Day as all eyes will be on James versus Durant. At its core it’s a battle of basketball’s most dominant talent against the game’s most lethal scorer — and a matchup that never disappoints.
