NBA Opening Day: Storylines to Watch for on Christmas Day

After a prolonged strike and months of questioning if we would even have an NBA season this year, Opening Day is finally only a few hours away.

NBA fans across the country are waiting restlessly for their favorite teams to make their debut. But with the frantic pace of the shortened offseason, it can be difficult to keep track of what to keep your eye on during the first day of the regular season.

So, to help you out, here's a breakdown of what storylines and players to watch for during every game on Christmas Day.

Boston Celtics at New York Knicks

The Celtics will have the most questions surrounding them during this game; many have asked whether or not the aging team will be able to survive the frantic pace of a shortened season.

All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo will also be someone to watch, as he was mentioned in a lot of trade speculation during the offseason. His reaction in his first regular season game could be very telling for the Celtics hopes this year.

However, in spite of all this, the New York Knicks will be the team to watch out for, both on Christmas Day and during the entire NBA Season.

After all the moves that the Knicks made last year in hopes of transforming themselves into title contenders, this will be the first full year that Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony will be on the same team together.

Free agent acquisition Tyson Chandler will also be a critical component of the team this year, and definitely someone to keep an eye on during opening day.

After being swept by this same Celtics team in the playoffs last year, Christmas Day will be New York's chance to prove if they belong among the NBA Elite.

Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks

Don't act like you need me to tell you why to watch this game.

The Miami Heat will have to open their season against the team that crushed their season-long hype just a few months before. How they respond in that game will speak volumes for the rest of their season.

After a whole offseason of contemplating their shortcomings, will the Heat have the same flare that they had last year? Will they play with the same sense of confidence and purpose?

Most importantly, will they storm their way back to the NBA Finals as they did last year?

For the Mavericks, Mark Cuban's team will be lifting its first championship banner. It'll be the highlight of the franchise's 31-year history, and if you're a Mavs fan, it's a must-watch.

Unfortunately, things won't be quite as joyous for Dallas on the court. The team lost Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea, two key components to last years championship run, to free agency this offseason.

The team did add Lamar Odom from the Lakers over the offseason, but there's many question as to whether or not his addition will be enough to make up for Chandler and Barea's departures.

How the team responds to their absence will make or break their chances of repeating this year.

Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers

All eyes will be on the Lakers on Christmas Day, and for good reason.

After one of the most controversial offseasons of all time, the Lakers are missing depth, only getting older and are arguably the second best team in their own town at this point.

After an embarrassing sweep by the Mavericks last year, the Lakers would have had to prove themselves on opening day no matter what.

But with the team lacking not only Chris Paul but also Lamar Odom, and with the Clippers breathing down their neck, the pressure is on for the Lakers to prove that they are still the team to beat in the NBA.

As for Chicago, the Bulls are one of the teams that are trying to replace the aging teams like the Lakers and Celtics as the prestige franchises of the NBA.

With reigning MVP Derrick Rose leading them, the team is starting to garner championship aspirations from their fans in the Windy City.

Beating the Lakers on opening day would be a tremendous start on what could be the team's first championship run since the Jordan-era.

Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder

Make no mistake, Dwight Howard will be the only thing anyone will be talking about during this game.

The 26-year-old superstar is one of the top five players in the game, and when he eventually moves, his new team will be catapulted into the forefront of the championship discussion.

With the Nets, almost everyone's favorites to land the all-star center, seemingly out of the contest with the recent injury to Brook Lopez, look for the speculation to heat up even more.

However, the team you should be watching is the Oklahoma City Thunder, who could be looking at their first championship season since moving from Seattle.

The Thunder embody everything a team needs to take advantage of a shortened season: They're young, have a deep roster and have maintained virtually the same team they made the Western Conference Finals with last season.

All you'll hear about during this game are the rumors that surround Dwight Howard, but Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder are the players you should be keeping your eyes on.

Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors

For what's possibly the first time in team history, the Los Angeles Clippers are the hottest, most talked about team in the league going into their Christmas Day opener in Oakland.

After a breakout season behind phenomenon Blake Griffin last season, the Clippers have added all-stars Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups to what has rapidly become a star-studded roster.

How the Clippers respond to being in the spotlight for the first time in franchise history will tell us whether or not this is just a flash in the pan or a monumental shift in the NBA's landscape.

Unfortunately, the Warriors won't exactly be bringing as compelling of a storyline with them to the other side of the court on Christmas Day.

The team is stuck in mediocrity, and even their modest hopes for the season are in jeopardy given the status of team captain Monta Ellis, who is caught up in a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Not many expect Golden State to win on Christmas Day, but how they perform could tell their fans if there's still any hope for the season.