NBA Christmas Day: how to watch, start times and predictions

Christmas Day is hours away, and the NBA is gifting its fans with a wishlist of games. While the holiday promotes spending quality time with family and friends, the Dec. 25 matchups have been a suspect for stealing fans’ attention like the Grinch stole Christmas every year.

This year the league has prepared five games spreading throughout the entire day. Ten of the NBA’s most entertaining teams have been assigned to be their present to fans this year. MVP candidates, past drama, and seed-altering collisions are all in attendance. All games will be airing on ABC and ESPN. Here are the games in chronological order, tipoff times, and which teams are likely to win.

76er vs. Knicks, 12 P.M. ET

The NBA starts off Christmas morning with an Atlantic Division showdown. The Philadelphia 76ers are riding a seven-game win streak into Christmas Day, and Joel Embiid is having an MVP-caliber season, leading the team in points per game with 32.5, assists per game with 4.7, and shooting 52.4% from the field. Embiid also has been leading on the defensive end with 9.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. But Embiid is far from alone in the city of brotherly love. While his numbers are not as high as in previous seasons, James Harden is his usual bucket-scoring self, and Tyrese Maxey has evolved into the team’s secondary scoring option. The 76ers are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference.

On the other hand, the New York Knicks are finding great success to start the season and sit right behind the the 76ers in conference standings. The blue and orange are coming off a recent win streak of their own, stringing eight straight before losing to Toronto on Dec. 21. The rest of the team has rallied behind Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett spearheading the march. Tom Thibodeau’s squad has plenty to be proud of as they have gained the respect of fans and team’s in the east and around the NBA.

Prediction: 76ers defeat Knicks by at least 10 points

Lakers vs. Mavericks, 2:30 P.M. ET

Anthony Davis just can’t catch a break. Every time Davis gets to punching in numbers and fans get excited, the eight-time All-Star is routinely plagued by injury. In the midst of an MVP campaign, Davis suffered a foot injury and the timeline for his return is to be determined. Without Davis, the Lakers are lead by Lebron James, Russell Westbrook, and a supporting cast that has warranted endless criticism. Davis’ injury has stunted what looked like a turnaround for the Lakers’ season as they find themselves deep in the Western Conference standings (13th).

It has not been rainbows and butterflies for the Dallas Mavericks either. Though Luka Doncic has also placed his bid for the MVP award as expected, the lack of support has weighed the Mavs down and out of the playoff picture. However, their records should not be a basis for how entertaining this game will be. A win on Christmas Day will benefit both teams, so expect this game to be a close back-and-forth occasion.

Prediction: Mavericks edge Lakers by single digits

Bucks vs. Celtics, 5 P.M. ET

The battle of number one and two in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have been on a roll this season besides a few close losses. The game also features another MVP-candidate showdown. The top-seeded Bucks have been led by Giannis Antetokounmpo averaging 31.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game while shooting 53.7% from the field. The veteran center, Brook Lopez, has also entered the Defensive Player of the Year race.

It will be hard to drop a needle in the gap between these teams. After making the NBA Finals in a losing effort against the Golden State Warriors, Jayson Tatum came out of the offseason with that experience and a chip on his shoulder. Despite his MVP numbers, the Celtics have shown the well-roundedness that took them to the Finals. Jalen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford have been stellar for the Celtics. This showdown is likely to be the most exciting out of all the games on Sunday. Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton is nursing a knee injury, and his absence might be the disadvantage the Celtics will look to exploit.

Prediction: Celtics beat Bucks by single digits

Grizzlies vs. Warriors, 8 P.M. ET

Ja Morant has been facing backlash lately. Statements about how he is not worried about teams in the Western Conference have backfired and placed a target on the Grizzlies poster boy’s back. Morant has been great for the Memphis Grizzlies. Some even consider him for MVP candidacy. He is not afraid to speak his mind and though the Grizzlies are expected to be in the playoffs, they do not have the roster needed to win an NBA championship– or not yet.

The defending Champions, Golden State Warriors have been on the other side of Morant and the Grizzlies’ verbal antics. Sparring sessions over Twitter involving players from both teams add plenty of spice to this highly anticipated playoff rematch. However, Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins being unavailable due to injuries have disabled the eleventh-seed Warriors. Golden State suffered back-to-back blowout losses to the Knicks and Nets leading up to Christmas Day, and best believe that the young and hungry Grizzlies will look to rub one on their new-found rivals.

Prediction: Grizzlies blowout the Warriors

Nuggets vs. Suns, 10:30 P.M. ET

This game should be a great way to close the holiday. Nikola Jokic is putting up monstrous numbers, including a recent historical triple-double. Jokic leads the Nuggets in five categories; points, assists, rebounds, and assists per game, as well as field goal percentage. The Western conference has been highly competitive, but a few teams have managed to separate themselves from the crowd, including a few playing on Christmas. The Nuggets are currently on top of the West, while the Suns trail closely on the fourth spot.

The team from Arizona has made a case for themselves in recent years, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2021. Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton are the primary load-bearers in Phoenix. However, Ayton has been underwhelming this season, and Booker and Cameron Payne’s injuries are pebbles in Monty Williams’ shoes. With or without a fully-healthy roster, The Joker’s dominance will likely lead the Nuggets to victory.

Prediction: Nuggets beat the Suns by at least 10 points