OKC Thunder vs. Orlando Magic : Preview, Predictions, More for Christmas Day

Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard will serve to headline the action on Christmas when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

While the Thunder seem to be gaining steam as a popular choice to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals, many are expecting a regression from the Magic this season.

Is this the year that Durant and his supporting cast put together a memorable run that they've come close to doing previously?

Key Additions and Losses for Each Team

Key Additions for Magic: Traded for F Glen Davis, SG Von Wafer; Re-signed F Earl Clark, SG Jason Richardson

Key Losses for Magic: Waived PG Gilbert Arenas (amnesty); Traded F/C Brandon Bass (Celtics)

Key Additions for Thunder: Re-signed G/F Daequan Cook; Traded for G/F Lazar Hayward (Timberwolves)

Key Losses for Thunder: Traded G Robert Vaden (Timberwolves), C B.J. Mullens (Bobcats)

Point Guard

Battle: Jameer Nelson vs. Russell Westbrook

Westbrook is going to be eager to show the world that he can play the point guard position, especially after all of the criticism he endured following last season's playoff exit.

While Nelson might fly under the radar at times, he's going to have an extraordinarily tough time keeping up with Westbrook's speed, as the Thunder point guard is just too long and explosive for Nelson to keep a tight lid on him throughout the action.

Shooting Guard

Battle: Thabo Sefolosha vs. Jason Richardson

Sefolosha is known as a stout defender on the perimeter, and he's going to be tested as Richardson likes to drive baseline in order to use what is left of his athleticism and get to the rim.

The real matchup here will be when James Harden gets out onto the floor, as Richardson will have a much more difficult time containing him on the offensive end than Sefolosha, as the latter simply doesn't play the same offensive role as Harden.

NOTE: Harden could start over Sefolosha, but at the time of publish, the latter was considered the starter for the Christmas day game.

Small Forward

Battle: Hedo Turkoglu vs. Kevin Durant

It doesn't really matter who is going to defend Durant for Orlando, because he's going to put on a downright clinic for the season opener of a highly anticipated campaign.

Orlando has Turkoglu, Earl Clark and Quentin Richardson to try and slow down Durant, and it wouldn't be a surprise to to see Clark spend a fair amount of time on him if he's having success early after Stan Van Gundy called him the team's designated defender.

Power Forward

Battle: Glen Davis vs. Serge Ibaka

Ibaka is a force around the rim, and he's going to make life awfully difficult for Davis as he has the ability to turn away any shot Big Baby tries to throw his way.

Despite Ibaka's defensive prowess, Davis does have the ability to hit the mid-range jumper, and that could be enough to draw Ibaka away from the basket and help to open up the lane for some of his teammates to score.

Center

Battle: Dwight Howard vs. Kendrick Perkins

These two guys really don't like one another, and we've seen the two of them go head-to-head on more than one occasion with neither looking to back down from the other.

Now that Perkins has trimmed over 30 lbs from his frame and Howard is being constantly battered with questions regarding his request to be traded out of Orlando, it should certainly make for some interesting subtext to a storyline that is already filled with interesting elements.

What To Watch

James Harden's beard might draw an audience of its own, but the onus should be on the owner of some the most fantastic facial hair the NBA has ever seen.

Whether he starts or plays the role of sixth man, Harden will certainly have a major impact on Oklahoma City's success this season, and he may very well be the x-factor in the team getting over the hump and reaching the championship round.

Serge Ibaka is another name to watch, as it will ultimately be the triumphs of Harden and Ibaka (paired with Durant and Westbrook) that will push the Thunder to the forefront of the playoff picture.

Prediction

Orlando has a lot of question marks on the roster, and despite some moves being made in the offseason, it's tough to say that any of them actually improved the team from where it stood last season.

Otis Smith tied up $51 million in the next four seasons of Jason Richardson and Glen Davis, and that's in addition to Hedo Turkoglu's whopper of a contract (approximately $34 million).

The Dwight Howard rumors are distracting whether the team will admit it or not, and the Thunder roster is just too deep for an Orlando club with depth concerns of its own.

Prediction: Thunder 109, Magic 92