NBA Christmas Day Preview, Top Matchups and Analysis

Earlier this week it looked like some of the big NBA matchups may get canceled or moved back due to covid outbreaks across the league but as of now, it looks like we are on schedule for a great day of NBA basketball. With most casual fans probably not giving the NBA too much attention due to football season being in full swing, the Christmas Day games are typically what jump-starts the NBA into becoming part of the regular sports discussion on all the major sports networks.

We have 5 games on deck highlighted by the Suns vs. Warriors and the Nets vs. Lakers later in the afternoon, and if you haven’t been following the NBA this year and need a refresher head over to our NBA Strategies page.

Top Games

Warriors vs. Suns -5

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Deandre Ayton and the Suns are rolling heading into their matchup with the Warriors

The top two teams in the West face-off in what will probably be the most entertaining game on the day in Phoenix. The Warriors are 26-6 and the Suns are 26-5 and it appears that the top spot in the West is going to be a battle all season long between them. Steph Curry and Draymond Green look like they have turned back the clock to 2015 and are playing at a high level and several new faces have given the Warriors new energy and more depth than any of their championship teams.

Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins are both averaging 18 points per game and Damien Lee, Otto Porter, and Gary Payton II have are averaging near double figures for this deep Warriors squad.  The Suns picked off where they left off last year and are playing even better basketball as Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton have an additional year of experience under their belt. Role player Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson look to have made the biggest improvements from last year and are averaging over double figures and have been tremendous defensively.

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Nets vs. Lakers

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Kevin Durant is one of the favorites to bring home the MVP this year

The Nets and Lakers look like two teams heading in opposite directions heading into their Christmas day matchup. This game was expected to be one of the possible NBA finals matchups but the Lakers look like they could be on the verge of missing the playoffs altogether unless they come up with a new lineup that starts clicking better on the offensive and defensive ends. The Lakers have lost four in a row heading into their big Christmas day matchup and their 28 point loss to the below.500 spurs are sounding the alarms that the Lakers may not have the type of team that would turn it on later in the season. The Nets have been battling through Covid issues over the last couple of weeks but they got great news when it was announced Kyrie Irving will be allowed to rejoin the team to play in games outside of the Barclay center.

Bucks vs. Celtics

Giannis and the Bucks are back near the top of the East

The Bucks are only 2 games back of the Nets in the East after a slow start to the year and once again look like real contenders to win it all this year. Giannis is averaging 27 points per game and Kris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are both having great years so far averaging around 18 points per game. Newcomers Grayson Allen and DeMarcus Cousins have also fit in well with this Bucks squad and both averaging near double figures off the bench. The Celtics have shown some flashes this year but have struggled with consistency and currently sit at 16-16 and 8th in the East. The Celtics are only 6 games back in a crowded Eastern conference that looks more competitive than it ever has.