How to Make the NBA Even Better on Christmas Day

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by Matt Fischer

I love the NBA on Christmas Day!  I enjoy it more than NFL on Thanksgiving.  This year the matchups are not as intriguing as the past I feel.  Hopefully they’ll surpass my expectations but here’s how I’d set-up the Christmas Day for the NBA every season.

12 ET – I’d start the day with a showcase of the great young players in the league.  This is a tremendous way to help build their star power.  A big Christmas day performance in the day’s first game will go along way toward putting the player in the main stream.  You give Anthony Davis a chance to go at the 2015 #1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns and former top pick Andrew Wiggins.

My match-up:  New Orleans Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves. 

2:30 ET – In the second window, I showcase established, future Hall of Famers.  Watch great players still able to put on a show with solid teams around them.  I keep it in the state of Texas for this match-up.  Who wouldn’t love to see Dirk Nowitzki vs. Tim Duncan?

My match-up:  San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks

5 ET – I love what the NBA did here with a rematch of the NBA Finals as the Golden State Warriors host the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The debate got heated up this week on who’s the best player in the league as LeBron James and Steph Curry claimed the top spot.  A Finals rematch should become a NBA on Christmas tradition with the defending champs hosting.

My match-up:  Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors

8 ET – It’s going to be difficult to follow the NBA Finals rematch but you can stack it with a great game.  While Houston has struggled, I’d have schedule the runners up in each conference to collide on Christmas.  With the reigning champs hosting the previous game, I’d let the other conference host this game each season.

My match-up:  Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks

10:30 ET – To close the day of games, you want an uptempo, high scoring game.  I’d pack it with star power too.  This year I’d have in it Los Angeles.  Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook take on Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.  That’s one that’ll keep you up late watching until the final buzzer.

My match-up:  Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers

Merry Christmas and enjoy the games!