2017 NBA Christmas Day Predictions
December 25th is the day the NBA season officially begins for NBA fans. Not only do we get to cherish a preview of the more than probable NBA finals in the Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers, but we also get to take a closer look at the potential NBA playoff match ups and the amazing MVP race between, as of right now, James Harden versus Lebron James. It is only fair to have a preview for the 5 marquee match-ups on Christmas day.
12PM EST: Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
Christmas day is going to start off with the Philadelphia taking one on the road against New York. The 76ers are currently on a season high five game losing streak and having lost nine of their last ten, they have something to prove. I look for Ben Simmons and now, Joel Embiid to have big games against the unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis. Both big men having been leading their respective teams but the 76ers just need this game more, currently being out of the playoff race. With Joel Embiid back this past Saturday against Toronto, he should be able to give them a lift over the Knicks with his teammate Ben Simmons.
3PM EST: Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers
This is the marquee match up of the day, with a finals rematch and more than likely 2018 finals preview. Though, any other day of the week I would pick Golden State to win at home, they are just too banged up, mainly with Steph Curry being out. This does mean we will get to enjoy an exciting match up between Kevin Durant and Lebron James, the Cavaliers are peaking at the right home to take this game on the road. Meanwhile, the Warriors had a brutal game against the Nuggets at home this past Saturday. They will not go 3–27 again but it is very possible the slump may carry over and as we have seen in the past, it is the small things that could be a difference maker in close games.
5:30PM EST: Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics
Winner: Washington Wizards
I am probably shooting my luck right now by predicting three straight road wins on Christmas day, but as Kevin Garnett says, anything is possible. Though Boston Celtics won big against the lowly Chicago Bulls this past Saturday, they have been slumping these past few games, playing 0.500 basketball in their last ten, which included an absolute steal at Indiana. On the other hand, John Wall is finally back for the Wizards and look for him to cherish the match up against another elite point guard in Kyrie Irving. Though this is not exactly a rematch of the 2017 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, not with Isaiah Thomas being traded, I expect nothing but a hard fought game between the two teams, especially with Boston being second in the league for points allowed per game.
8PM EST: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
This is another exciting match, and a rematch of last year’s Western Conference First Round match up. Though the Rockets have been amazing all year, not just offensively but also defensively, and James Harden is coming off back to back 50 point games, they may be without their other superstar in Chris Paul. Also, don’t look now but the Thunder may have found their rhythm, it is still too early to tell, but they have won their last four games and currently stand fifth in the Western Conference. This four game winning streak may look more impressive than it actually is, with two of the games being against the Utah Jazz and one against the Atlanta Hawks, but a win is a win. With both those things in mind, the Thunder’s “Big 3” may be too much for CP3-less Rockets and Harden.
10:30PM EST: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves
Another road victory on Christmas day, though not talked about much, the Timberwolves are quietly sitting as the fourth seed in the Western conference as of right now winning seven of their last ten games. The addition of Jimmy Butler along with the growth of Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins has really propelled this team into one that can make the playoffs this year. Though how much of a force they will be in the playoffs is still to be seen. On the other hand, the Lonzo lead Lakers will more than likely suffer another loss. They just do not have enough talent to keep up with the Wolves.
