The NBA’s Christmas Day games are a classic holiday tradition. With five intriguing games going on all day long, it’s pure basketball bliss and one of the most exciting days of the regular season. Let’s analyze each game from the incredible Christmas Day slate.
Takeaways and Notes from Each Christmas Day Game
Bucks-Knicks: The Bucks’ Defense is a Problem
The Bucks’ defense has been a weak point all season long and the Knicks perfectly exposed it. Milawukee’s lack of capable perimeter defenders is a massive roster flaw. As a result, the Knicks were able to have a field day against the Bucks’ defense, getting amazing looks throughout the game both on the interior and perimeter. The Bucks’ poor pick-n-roll and transition defense were central to their shortcomings. Jalen Brunson’s dominant 38-point performance highlights this. Ultimately the Bucks defense must improve come playoff time or they will be exposed in a series.
Knicks Overcome Lack of Size
This was the 4th game between the two teams this year and Brunson torched them each time, averaging 36 points on the season series. However, the Bucks were 3-0 before Monday in large part due to their elite size, an advantage that grew with Mitchell Robinson’s season-ending knee injury. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a 32-point outburst, but the Knicks had a great team defense, which forced Giannis into difficult shots while containing the likes of Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. Furthermore, the Bucks shot 50% beyond the arc while the Knicks shot 31%. Despite clear advantages, the Bucks were unable to overcome their defensive issues in this game.
Warriors-Nuggets: The Warriors’ Supporting Cast Showing the Right Signs
In a game where both stars Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic struggled from the field, both team’s supporting cast stepped up in a big way. While this is to be expected from the Nuggets, it has been a big question mark for the Warriors all season long. However, the Warriors were able to get great two-way production from Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga. Rookie Brandin Podziemski shined as an all-around player, knocking down shots, grabbing rebounds, and making great passes. Chris Paul and Dario Saric stepped up as key bench scorers.
If the Warriors can get consistent production from their role players while Curry is at an elite level, this could once again be a dangerous squad. However, the consistency piece is the big question. On Denver’s side, Jamal Murray’s elite three-level scoring abilities were on full display, getting 28 points—including nine in the 4th quarter—to secure the win. Michael Porter Jr, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Aaron Gordon all had crucial two-way impacts.
Nuggets’ Clutch Time Dominance
However, what separates these teams is their clutch time play. The Nuggets outscored the Warriors 16-11 in clutch time and Murray was incredible down the stretch. Denver has the 4th best clutch-time winning percentage in the league with a 12-6 record compared to the Warriors’ 12-12 clutch time record. Despite the Warriors’ incredible experience and them playing in the most clutch time games, they still feel like they’re figuring it out late in games. It makes sense given the lineup changes and inconsistent supporting cast. The Nuggets, meanwhile, feel like a well-oiled machine late in games. They know their best lineup and play with incredible continuity leading to great offensive looks. Their ability to get stops, especially with their high-level wing defense, makes them elite in late-game situations.
Celtics-Lakers: The Well-Rounded Celtics are Unstoppable
The Celtics are at their best when they play with balance, and that was on full display Christmas night. Through great team ball movement—especially in the second half—Boston generated high-quality looks both from the interior and perimeter. Crucially, the Celtics were able to attack the rim, shooting 88% at the rim in the second half.
Similarly, all five starters contributed well-rounded games. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday played incredible defense, guarding several players throughout the game. They also connected the offense by making plays and knocking down big shots. Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis both got great shots at the rim. Porzingis’ rim protection and rebounding were also key to the Celtics’ success. Despite not having a good game from beyond the arc, Jayson Tatum was aggressive and was rewarded with 13 free throws. He also impacted the game through his playmaking and rebounding abilities. Ultimately, this all-around team effort gave the Celtics the advantage, and when Boston is playing like this, they feel unstoppable.
The Brow Needed Help
On the flip side, Anthony Davis had a brilliant 40-point game but was the Lakers’ only source of consistent offense. LeBron James had an off-night shoot 4-15 from the field. Taurean Prince shot the ball well, knocking down five threes on the night. But it’s clear Davis needed another consistent scorer to overcome the Celtics’ all-around excellence. Credit the Celtics’ defense for constantly changing matchups so the Lakers were never comfortable in their offense.
76ers-Heat: Philly Shows a lot of Heart, But it’s Not Enough
This game had the potential to be a great game, but with stars Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler out due to injuries, the excitement level went down. Miami’s high-pressure defense made it hard for Tyrese Maxey, who shot 4-20 from the field. Despite Maxey’s struggles, the 76ers remained competitive, only losing by six. This included coming back from down 70-49 in the 3rd quarter to set up an ultra-competitive 4th quarter. Great shooting nights from Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre were central to Philly keeping it close. Despite losing this game, Philly fighting hard and mounting a comeback, especially with a struggling Maxey and without Embiid, says a lot about their surrounding cast.
Jaime Jaquez Has Arrived
Bam Adebayo punished the smaller 76ers on both sides of the floor. Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson’s good three-point shooting nights also helped flip the game. However, the highlight was rookie Jaime Jaquez’s incredible 31-point, 10-rebound performance. Jaquez has been one of the most polished rookies throughout the season, and this game proved his value to the national media. The Heat have once again found a draft-day gem, further proving the value of experienced college players. As Jaquez continues to ascend, Miami’s title chances will rise. This is a team nobody wants to play in the playoffs.
Mavs-Suns: Luka’s Christmas Magic
There were many great individual performances, but Luka Doncic stole the show on Christmas night with his magical 50-point and 15-assist game. Luka is the league’s most gifted creator and he routinely has big nights. Without Kyrie Irving, Luka has an even bigger role and he has continued to deliver. Doncic sliced up the Suns’ defense and found shots all night long, shooting an incredible 50% from beyond the arc. Doncic also attacked mismatches and closeouts effectively to get great looks at the rim. If the Suns tried to double him, he would make them pay with his incredible playmaking abilities. Luka’s offensive gravity and elite combination of scoring and playmaking are unmatched. This game helps further establish Luka in early MVP conversations.
Phoenix’s Role Players Step Up
On the Suns’ side of things, it was a somewhat quiet night for both stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Durant had just 11 field goal attempts, well below his average of 20.2 while Booker had 14 field goal attempts, five below his season average. The Mavericks double teamed both stars, as there have been concerns about Phoenix’s role players. However, Grayson Allen hit eight threes and poured in 32 points while Chimezie Metu was a great interior presence, scoring 23 points and grabbing 19 rebounds. The Suns kept close for most of the game before the Mavs pulled away for a 14-point win in the 4th quarter. Ultimately, it’s hard to win when Luka plays at this level and your stars don’t match that production. However, if the Suns can find consistency from Allen and Metu, it could change the outlook of their season.
