Filipino basketball fans are used to waking up early on Dec. 26 to watch some holiday hoops. It’s that Yuletide tradition you wouldn’t want to miss.
Five games are slated on this season’s Christmas Day schedule. With several players going in and out of the league’s health and safety protocols, one of our Christmas wishes is to have those sidelined players back on the court as soon as possible.
Hawks vs Knicks: 1:00 AM on NBA League Pass
Hopefully, Trae Young will be out of the league’s COVID-19 protocols by Sunday and he could make his much-awaited return to Madison Square Garden. In last year’s playoffs, Young and the Hawks made their matchup with the Knicks a coming-out party. Young flung himself into New York’s Most Wanted List and received all the hate (as well as the admiration) from fans.
Even if Young doesn’t suit up on Christmas, the Hawks and the Knicks still pose an interesting battle between two East teams who have been subpar to start the season. Last year, the two franchises were the talk of the town. This season, with targets on their back, and not to mention injury woes, they haven’t had quite the same success. A holiday matchup between the Hawks and the Knicks will give a good gauge of where they currently stand in the league.
Celtics vs Bucks, 3:30 AM on NBA League Pass
The big question in this particular battle is if the Bucks will be at full strength. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are in the league’s protocols, along with Donte DiVincenzo, who was supposed to make his season debut against the Indiana Pacers. Even Khris Middleton has been battling knee issues.
If the Bucks resemble their championship self, it will be a different scenario versus the ever-dangerous Celtics. Jaylen Brown recently returned to the lineup after a nagging hamstring injury and you know Jaylen Tatum will be eager to put on a show on Christmas wearing the Kobe “Grinch” shoes.
The wins have been hard to come by for the Celtics so a victory over the defending champions will go a long way.
Warriors vs Suns, 6:00 AM on NBA League Pass
What do we make of the first two meetings of the league’s best West teams? Is it a conference Finals preview? Which team stood out more?
The Warriors and the Suns faced off twice this past month with each team scoring a win. Even though Devin Booker was absent for a game and a half, it was still a pretty good clash. It was high-level basketball with each squad trying to impose their style.
On one side, you had the Warriors with all their screen actions for Stephen Curry, which opened up 3s and avenues in the paint for the rest. On the other, you had the Suns with their offensive trickery, churning corner triples plus midrange shots for Chris Paul.
As much as offense brought all the highlights, the defense from both teams was equally top-notch. What’s in store for round 3? More of the good stuff, we hope! Plus Booker is back from his hamstring injury so that’s an added wrinkle. Let the 3s fall and let the mayhem ensue for Warriors versus Suns.
Nets vs Lakers, 9:00 AM on TV5
The Lakers have had more than their fair share of downs this season but what’s Christmas without the purple and gold? The Lakers playing on this day is a tradition in itself. It doesn’t matter if they’re struggling to stay at .500 or if injuries and players on protocols have ravaged the team. They’re still must-watch TV with all that talent (and drama). And we can’t take for granted watching LeBron James in a Christmas game. The King is turning 37 soon and who knows how many of these games he has left to play.
The Nets, on the other hand, are a different story. Two of their games have already been postponed this week (versus the Nuggets and Wizards). Brooklyn’s Big Three – Kevin Durant, James Harden, and the recently activated Kyrie Irving – plus seven others are in the league’s health and safety protocols. The Nets are scheduled to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on the 24th before facing the Lakers. Hopefully, that game pushes through and a number of players return.
Mavericks vs Jazz, 11:30 AM on NBA TV Philippines
Will Luka Doncic return in time for Christmas? That’s another wish for NBA Santa. Doncic has been out because of an ankle injury, but who knows? Maybe he’ll be ready this week. However, the Mavericks’ woes don’t end there with other key players sidelined because of COVID-19. Kristaps Porzingis left their recent game due to soreness in his right foot. We need some magic this time of the year, and that means we’re aching to see Luka and the Mavericks back in action.
As for the Jazz, thankfully they’re still intact. In fact, they’re more than okay as the third-best team in the West who are on pace to have a deep playoff run. Much like the Bucks, the Jazz are low-key underrated contenders. Their biggest issue hasn’t been consistency or injuries or lack of star power. You could actually argue that they might be even better this year with the constant growth of Donovan Mitchell.
The Spida has been killing it in his fifth year. There hasn’t been much talk about him or the Jazz for one reason or another, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. A holiday matchup for them is highly deserved and don’t be surprised if they take home a Christmas win.
