Noah Frank breaks down what to watch for in each game in the NBA’s Christmas Day smorgasbord.
Lakers at Bulls – 8 p.m., TNT
This is a marquee matchup in name only. The Bulls are still anywhere from very decent (without Derrick Rose) to excellent (with him), but the Lakers are an awful mess, their surprise win over Golden State on Tuesday night notwithstanding. Kobe Bryant has always played a good villain, but it’s hard to even muster the energy to root against him anymore. The Bulls are 10-point favorites for a reason.
Excitement scale: 4 out of 10
Reason to watch: Lakers schadenfreude.
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
AP Photo/Chris Carlson
Wizards at Knicks – 12 p.m., ESPN
This game might actually have ranked worse but for the inclusion of the local team. As good as the Wizards have looked in the season’s early going, the Kicks have looked more than equally bad. New York has won just 5 of its first 30 games, and actually may find themselves looking up at the 76ers if they don’t reverse their fortunes soon.
Excitement scale: 5 out of 10
Reason to watch: To see whether the Wizards can reach 20 wins in their first 28 games.
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Cavaliers at Heat – 5 p.m., ABC
Now we get into the better matchups. While Miami is just 13-16, this is nevertheless LeBron James’ first game back in South Beach since returning to Cleveland. Will he be welcomed with open arms or treated like a traitor? Can the Heat exact some revenge on national TV against a Cavs team that comes in having won 12 of its last 15?
Excitement scale: 7 out of 10
Reason to watch: LeBron (duh).
(AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
AP Photo/Felipe Dana
Thunder at Spurs – 2:30 p.m., ABC
The Thunder might be the best sub-.500 team in the history of the league. Despite missing superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City has been treading water at 13-16 thanks to the league’s top overall defense and second-leading rebounding squad. With the high-scoring duo now in tow, they head to San Antonio to face the Spurs, who have uncharacteristically dropped five of seven, including three overtime losses, all at home.
Excitement scale: 9 of 10
Reason to watch: Rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals.
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
Warriors at Clippers – 10:30 p.m., TNT
The schedule doesn’t always save the best for last, but this time it has. This matchup has everything you could ask for — great ball handlers, terrific shooters and freakishly athletic shot-blockers. Oh yeah — and these teams HATE each other. After going seven knock-down, drag-out games in the first round of the playoffs last year, both teams are looking for more in 2014-15. This should be an excellently played and highly entertaining affair.
Excitement scale: 10 of 10
Reasons to watch: All of them.
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
