Milwaukee Bucks: Top 5 games from the 2018-19 schedule

2. Dec. 25 at New York Knicks

There are a number of constants when it comes to the NBA and Christmas Day. The league’s biggest stars and best teams will suit up for a number of the marquee matchups. No matter how good they project to be, the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks will be part of the mix.

The Knicks could be a mess this season, with star Kristaps Porzingis injured against this Milwaukee Bucks team last season and in line to miss much of the season rehabbing his torn ACL. If he plays on Christmas Day, it will likely be in limited minutes.

This will be the Bucks’ first appearance on Christmas Day since 1977, when Milwaukee guard Brian Winters led the team to a 131-122 victory over the Kansas City Kings. Forty-one years later, Giannis Antetokounmpo will look to step into Madison Square Garden and similarly lead his team to victory. It was in that historic building that Antetokounmpo uncorked the dunk of the year last February.

The Knicks do not figure to factor into the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and on paper the Bucks should be heavy favorites. But their contest on Dec. 25 is more about who they are as a team — a rising squad with a true superstar and enough appeal to put in a marquee position. The Bucks, at least for the Giannis era, are no longer a forgotten team.