The
Christmas Day games have long had a tradition of showcasing the NBA’s rising
talent and biggest names. This Christmas will be no different, as the NBA has
scheduled a rematch of the last two NBA Finals, a matchup of two cities with a
bitter rivalry, and an in city rivalry to cap off the night.
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| (photo credit: bleacherreport.com) |
The
Christmas Day schedule starts with a rivalry that spans sports, decades and any
sense of sanity. No two cities hate each other more than Boston and New York. A
Christmas Day matchup between a rising Boston squad and a revamped Knicks will
do nothing to ease tensions.
The
Knicks have added former Chicago stars Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to play
beside nine-time all-star Carmelo Anthony and sophomore Kristaps Porzingis.
While Boston added former Atlanta All-Star Al Horford, they will still rely
heavily on Isaiah Thomas to lead them throughout their season.
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| (photo credit: rantsports.com) |
The
first time the Warriors and Cavs will meet since Game 7 of the 2016 Finals
will be the second game on Christmas Day. This game is the highlight of the
schedule and will lead off ABC’s coverage.
Stephen
Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and newcomer Kevin Durant will come into
Cleveland looking to make a statement that they plan to reclaim the
Championship. Cleveland, led by LeBron James, will be anxious to see how much
of a difference Durant will be in the matchup.
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| (photo credit: pinterest.com) |
Both
the Bulls and Spurs come into this matchup without the longtime faces of their
franchise. Future Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan will not take the court for the
Spurs for the first time in almost two decades, and 2011 MVP Derrick Rose has
left Chicago for New York.
However,
while the Spurs are relying on pieces already in place, namely Kawhi Leonard
and LaMarcus Aldridge, to lead the team, Chicago has brought in outside help to
replace Rose, as well as Joakim Noah. Picking up Robin Lopez through a trade
with New York will help with the loss of Noah, the addition of former Miami
Heat star Dwyane Wade is a huge pick up.
A
test against San Antonio will be a good preview if the new pieces in Chicago
can help restore balance to a team that has seem to lost its way in the past
few years.
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| (photo credit: welcometoloudcity.com) |
The
rising stars in Minnesota will make their Christmas Day debut at Oklahoma City,
who will be looking to show the league they are still contenders without Kevin
Durant.
The
Timberwolves young cast of Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach LaVine
are looking to cement their status as the up and comers of the NBA. Meanwhile,
Russell Westbrook will be on a crusade to lead the Thunder back to the
playoffs, for the first time without Durant.
This
primetime test should serve as a good indicator as to where both teams stand
moving forward. Can the Thunder survive without Durant? Are the Wolves’ ready
to make the next step?
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| (photo credit: nba.com) |
In
what has become a tradition, the Clippers will face the Lakers in the nightcap.
The first of four matchups between the in-city rivals, new Laker head coach
Luke Walton will be looking to showcase his teams’ young talent.
Walton
is hoping that in their first season without Kobe Bryant, rookie Brandon
Ingram, sophomore De’Angello Russell and third-year player Julius Randle will
thrive in increased offensive roles.
Meanwhile,
Doc Rivers and the Clippers are hoping to finally breakthrough to an NBA Finals
berth. A midseason matchup against a young squad is a good tune up for tougher
competition to come.
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