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Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press
The NBA is expected to celebrate Christmas with a star-spangled slate that includes the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets on December 25.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shared the provisional Christmas Day schedule on Tuesday. The action will begin with the Miami Heat hosting the New Orleans Pelicans at 12 p.m. ET:
When reporting on the planned NBA start date for the upcoming season, Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst pointed out how a quick turnaround wasn’t ideal, but it allowed the league to capitalize on their biggest day of the regular season.
This year’s Christmas lineup includes a great mix of title contenders and individual stars.
The Miami Heat unexpectedly reached the NBA Finals thanks in large part to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The Heat did not enter rebuilding mode after LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, but they failed to tackle a serious championship challenge in the coming seasons. That changed after Butler arrived, and it could have serious implications for the 2021 offseason, which features a free agent class.
The New Orleans Pelicans are at least a year or two away from being able to make a playoff run, but Zion Williamson alone makes it a staple TV. Watching Williamson fight on the inside against Adebayo should be a lot of fun.
The Golden State Warriors are still reeling from Klay Thompson’s torn Achilles tendon, and his absence will prevent them from keeping pace with the Western Conference elite. Maybe Kelly Oubre Jr. will exceed expectations or Andrew Wiggins will finally break through to complete Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
It’ll be a good test for the Bucks, who added Jrue Holiday this offseason. Signing and exchange abandoned for Bogdan Bogdanovic still is big, but Milwaukee still has a stronger supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo as he seeks to reach the final.
By pitting the Nets against the Boston Celtics, Kyrie Irving should make his long-awaited return to Boston. Irving missed both Brooklyn’s road games against the Celtics last season, but he could savor the opportunity face his old team, especially if Celtics fans are unable to accommodate him at TD Garden.
Luka Doncic played the Lakers four times in 2019-2020, averaging 25.5 points, 9.8 assists and 9.0 rebounds. The first of those four meetings was the best, as Doncic and LeBron James combined to score 70 points and distribute 31 assists in a 119-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
It might be the only game NBA fans should make sure to watch over Christmas.
A playoff rematch will serve as a corker.
The Clippers will seek revenge after losing a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the second round. No one will hit the panic button four days after the start of the regular season, but Los Angeles losing to the Nuggets again could raise a few eyebrows.
It is also an opportunity for the Nuggets to show that their journey to the Western Conference final was no accident.
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