Complete NBA Predictions and Projections for All Christmas Day Games
Finally after months of waiting, the NBA season is upon us.
At one point, the season looked like it wasn't going to happen, and now, Christmas Day promises to be a fantastic Sunday for the basketball fan across the country.
With five marquee match ups on the slate, here's a guide of complete predictions and projections for opening day in the NBA.
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
1 of 5Time: Noon ET
Network: TNT
What To Expect: What better place to kickoff the 2011-12 NBA season than Madison Square Garden.
Fans get the first look at the new-look Knicks that feature Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire playing together for a full season.
The Knicks offense should be outstanding, but the main storyline to follow is what type of impact newly signed Tyson Chandler will have on the otherwise subpar New York defense.
As for Boston, they're another year older and a little banged up coming into the season and could likely be without Paul Pierce for the opener.
The guard is changing in the Eastern Conference as it's the Knicks time, and Boston's time could very well have passed.
Prediction: The Knicks are deeper and the slightly better team to start the season. The overall talent will win out in the fourth quarter. New York 109 Boston 98.
Player of the Game: Anthony.
Melo will top the 30-point mark and own the fourth quarter as the Knicks will avenge their playoff loss from a season ago.
Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks
2 of 5Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Network: ABC
What To Expect: The Heat will have to witness Dallas raising their championship banner, which should be a good pregame ceremony
With all the Chris Paul and Dwight Howard talk this offseason, things have been very quiet in South Beach, which could be very bad news for the rest of the NBA.
Expect to see LeBron James overpowering people on the block more this season which could make the Heat very dangerous.
Dallas will attempt to defend their championship but will have to do so with a different look that includes Vince Carter and Lamar Odom. The big question surrounding them is how will the loss of Tyson Chandler impact their team.
Prediction: Dirk Nowitzki has struggled so far in the preseason, but that all changes on Sunday. Same two teams that finished last season, same result. Dallas 97 Miami 93
Player of the Game: Nowitzki. He will take over down the stretch and carry Dallas to a win in front of what promises to be an electric home crowd.
Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers
3 of 5Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Network: ABC
What To Expect: It was the Chicago Bulls who had the best record in the Eastern Conference a year ago, and this year, they look to take the next step and win the East. They filled their biggest need by upgrading the 2-guard spot with Richard Hamilton.
Chicago is deep and very talented at both ends of the floor, and that will be put to the test on Sunday.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is day-to-day with a torn wrist ligament so we don't know how that will impact his game. Los Angeles still has size in Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but Bynum will be serving the first of a five-game suspension to start the season.
Something else to follow is how much the Lakers will miss Lamar Odom.
Prediction: The Bulls are better, and the Lakers really aren't. Their losses will be felt on opening night. Bulls 95 Lakers 88.
Player of the Game: Derrick Rose. Rose will attempt to defend his MVP title and will get off to a good start on Sunday.
Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder
4 of 5Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN
What to Expect: Will the Dwight Howard saga prove to be too much of a distraction right off the bat for the Magic?
Don't count the Magic out so quick. They can still throw a decent lineup on the floor every night and will be competitive.
As for the Thunder, they aren't the NBA's feel good story any longer. Anything less than winning the Western Conference will be viewed as a disappointment.
Prediction: The Thunder can get after it at both ends of the floor and should be a very good defensive team this season. Add to that the offense that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and company can provide and the Thunder will be very tough to deal with on a nightly basis. Thunder 102 Magic 91.
Player of the Game: Durant. He will be competing for another scoring title and will get off to a good start opening night with a 30-plus point effort.
Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors
5 of 5Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN
What to Expect: Exciting basketball.
It's too bad Warriors guard Stephen Curry likely won't be available due to a sprained ankle, but all eyes will be on the new-look Clippers and Chris Paul anyway.
We will get to see first hand at how the Clippers begin to gel and judging by their two preseason wins against the Lakers, it won't take long. There will be some high-flying moments in this one so don't blink.
Prediction: The Clippers have too much talent right now, and talent will win in the end. The warriors aren't a good defense team, so expect Paul and Blake Griffin to have their way with the Warriors and ruin Mark Jackson's coaching debut. Clippers 102 Warriors 90.
Player of the Game: Griffin. The phenom will begin his second campaign the way he did his first. He will finish with a double-double and have a monster game.
