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Ranking the 2022 NBA Christmas games by intrigue

By Holden Walter-Warner

May 16, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) talks to Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) talks to Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Trades, Donovan Mitchell, New York Knicks
Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks and James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

NBA Christmas Game 5. Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks, 12:00 PM ET

Last year, putting the New York Knicks on Christmas made sense. They were coming off their most exciting season in years and were facing off against their chief antagonist from the previous playoffs, Trae Young.

This year, it feels more like a plea for relevance.

The Knicks should be improved from last season. The young players are coming along, RJ Barrett looked like a star at times, and Julius Randle can’t be as bad as he was last year. The addition of Jalen Brunson should also help solidify the point guard position for the first time in years.

What makes this game more enticing is the divisional rival aspect. These two teams have been fierce competitors for years and Philadelphia will always draw the best effort from the Knickerbockers.

But Philadelphia is a much better team. Joel Embiid is one of the best players in the NBA, while James Harden had the same distinction not too long ago and is looking to redeem himself after a shaky playoff performance and ugly split from the Brooklyn Nets.

The 76ers have dominated the Knicks recently. In the last 19 games they’ve played, the Sixers have lost twice. They’ll have all the motivation to show they’re shaking off last season’s cobwebs on a national stage and New York is in danger of being embarrassed, even while hosting the game.

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