NBA Christmas Day Schedule 2014: Highlighting Holiday's Top Matchups
Regardless of everyone's religious or spiritual affiliations, we can all bond over the gift of basketball on Dec. 25.
Unwrap the other presents early, because the NBA's five-game marathon starts at noon and rolls all the way through the night. Even if they're not all must-watch affairs, the headliners certainly warrant viewing.
At this point, it'll take an unhealthy amount of eggnog to make the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Lakers bearable, so schedule family time accordingly. While the league falls on the naughty list for drooling over those big-market losers, three sensational matchups redeem those blunders.
Two brewing Western Conference rivalries will play out under the tree, and a certain someone will return to South Beach on Christmas.
| Washington Wizards at New York Knicks | 12 p.m. | ESPN |
| Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs | 2:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat | 5 p.m. | ABC |
| Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
Last year's Western Conference Finals participants are both perched at the bottom of the loaded group's playoff picture.
After beginning the season with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the shelf, the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to dig themselves out of a cavernous hole. Despite winning 12 of their last 14 games, they remain in the cold at 13-15.
With its two stars on the court, Oklahoma City looks just as dominant as ever. NBA.com highlighted the quick return to normalcy.
Now it's just a matter of salvaging seeding in the unforgiving West. All eyes will be on whether Durant, who has missed the past two games with a sprained ankle, will lace up against the reigning NBA champions. According to ESPN.com's Royce Young, the defending MVP remains questionable for Tuesday's equally pivotal bout against the rising Portland Trail Blazers:
The San Antonio Spurs, meanwhile, are seeded seventh at 18-11, an underwhelming start by their lofty standards. Excluding a lockout-shortened 1998-99, the Spurs have won at least 50 games every season since drafting Tim Duncan.
They're currently on pace for 50.9 victories, placing the incredible streak in jeopardy.
Tony Parker's hamstring injury has certainly hurt their cause, but they're also 0-4 in overtime games. They recently suffered consecutive triple-overtime defeats to the Memphis Grizzlies and Blazers, the rarity of which NBA TV noted:
Heading into Monday night, San Antonio's 107.6 offensive rating represented their worst clip since 2007-08. Gregg Popovich is smart enough to see the big picture and preserve his veterans for the playoff gauntlet, but he has a chance to knock a familiar foe down a peg on two days' rest.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat
Think Miami Heat fans remember LeBron James?
For the first time since splitting back to Cleveland last summer, the superstar will return to Miami to face a squad he propelled to four straight Finals appearances and two titles. Will the crowd show its appreciation for such an incredible run or berate him for ending it prematurely?
Dwyane Wade told Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick that his former teammate deserves a warm welcome, at least before the opening tip:
"It's going to be a mixture. How I think he should be received is a little different. The man helped take us to places we've only been once before he got here. So I think he should be received very well for that at the start of the game. And then when the game comes on, then do what you've got to do (as fans).
"
The Cavaliers' reunion week commences on Tuesday, when Kevin Love and Co. host the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both Miami and Minnesota are facing Cleveland at the wrong time, as the star-laden squad rattled off a convincing 14-point win over Memphis on Sunday.
Nevertheless, the Cavaliers are a disappointing 16-10 with a No. 23-ranked defensive rating. James' 25.2 points per game is great for mere mortals, but it's his worst average since his rookie campaign.
The new Heat have predictably lost a step without James, but they're still in line for a playoff ticket thanks to Wade and Chris Bosh, who have jumped gracefully back into larger roles. But Bosh, who is averaging his highest point tally (21.6) since joining Miami, has not played since Dec. 12.
Per the Miami Herald's Joseph Goodman, the big man hopes to return for the Christmas showdown:
A banged-up Miami roster could dampen this game's potential for high drama, but don't hand Cleveland a win just yet.
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers
The main entree of last year's stuffing first round of the playoffs, the Golden Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers delivered an epic series that spanned the full seven games, culminating in a 126-121 Game 7 thriller.
Los Angeles won that battle, but Golden State has since buffed up, enjoying a phenomenal 23-3 start with an eye-catching 10.2-point scoring margin. Making a strong MVP case, Stephen Curry is scoring 23.9 points per night on an incredibly effective 61.7 true shooting percentage.
Yet a team known for its sharpshooting guards with former gunner Steve Kerr holding the clipboard is dominating on defense. The Warriors allow a blistering 99.75 points per 100 possessions, the NBA's best clip.
Curry has morphed into a well-rounded star, making the Warriors unstoppable with him on the court. ESPN.com's Tom Haberstroh displayed the spark's splits, which also unearth the team's lack of depth:
Draymond Green also deserves monumental praise for Golden State's scorching start. The 24-year-old forward posts 1.9 defensive win shares, second-best to James Harden, of all people.
He has also upped his offensive game, scoring 12.8 points a night on a much-improved 45.1 field-goal percentage. Breaking down his success with Grantland's Kirk Goldsberry, Green credited his teammates for affording him open looks.
“One thing about basketball coaching is you have to identify something you’re willing to give up,” Green said. “Steph Curry or Klay Thompson coming off a pick and shooting is not what anybody’s willing to give up.”
The Clippers remain an offensive juggernaut with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin co-mayors of Lob City. Although placed sixth in the West, they're only four games behind the top-seeded Warriors, making Thursday's clash a golden chance to shorten their distance from the top while making a grand statement under the spotlight.
Advanced stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
