NBA fans around the world have been waiting for Christmas; not only for their immense amount of gifts that they receive but also for some intense and action packed NBA basketball! Christmas time is spent with close family and, if a sports family, watching these games. In essence, Christmas is to the NBA as Thanksgiving is to the NFL. So kick back, spend time with family, and watch these games!

The Christmas day schedule is as followed the New Orleans Pelicans vs. the Miami Heat (12:00), the Chicago Bulls vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder (2:30), the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the Golden State Warriors (5:00), the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Houston Rockets (8:00), and finally to close out the day is the Los Angeles Clippers vs. the Los Angeles Lakers (10:30).

The most anticipated game of the day is the Cleveland Cavaliers match-up with the Golden State Warriors. It is a clash between the two most premiere teams in the league and it happens to be a rematch of the last year finals. The hungry Cavaliers look to prove themselves after being defeated in last year’s finals (4-2). In addition to the upcoming rivalry, the game will feature a huge matchup between arguably the two top players in the league, LeBron James of the Cavaliers and Stephen Curry of the Warriors.

The game between the Heat and the Pelicans feature two young studs that are shaping up to be the face of the NBA. Pelicans’ own Anthony Davis is the newest budding superstar in the league. He will face up against veteran and all-star Dwyane Wade and rookie Justise Winslow.

The defensive minded Chicago Bulls will take on the high-powered offense of OKC led by Kevin Durant and triple double machine Russell Westbrook. The Bulls tend to play physical and dirty leading them to hold opponents in 80 points, which is relatively low for an NBA team. However, good luck trying to keep the Thunder to 80 points as they have forward Kevin Durant (27 points per game) and guard Russell Westbrook (25.1 ppg) controlling their offense.

The San Antonio Spurs are as about fundamental as NBA basketball gets. They will face James Harden and the Houston Rockets. The Spurs have come to claim that they are the best team in Texas and perhaps the best team in the NBA. Coach Gregg Popovich has led his team to a 23-5 start. The Rockets are struggling so far with chemistry issues. They have three studs in James Harden, Dwight Howard, and Ty Lawson but don’t know how to fit the puzzle together. Can they connect the puzzle against the Spurs?

Finally, the NBA on Christmas closes with the battle of Los Angeles. The Lakers who have shaped their season to be a rebuilding one and a victory lap for one of the greatest to ever play, Kobe Bryant, take on the Clippers who are 16-12 and sit in fourth place in the tough Western Conference. This match-up will be Kobe’s last Christmas day game. All in all, it looks like the Clippers will reign once again as the kings of LA as they will most likely defeat the struggling Lakers. The announcers might talk more about Kobe’s retirement than the actual game. The Clippers should win in blowout fashion.

NBA fans get ready for the all-day extravaganza. You won’t want to miss out on all of these games. On behalf of the entire sports section, we wish you a Happy Holiday!