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Christmas preview
Everything you need for your vacation
The Christmas games are here and for many casual fans that means the start of the NBA season. We know it's been going on for two months, but a lot of people will be tuning in to this season for the first time because they want to get away from their families.
But maybe Christmas isn't your thing and you just want to watch basketball all day. Either way, for your viewing guide, we have a drinking game for each team (drink responsibly, of course, or use water or juice), something to search for, and up to five eye emojis ( 👀) on the scale of whether you enjoy family time to Should stop watching. (All times Eastern.)
Bucks (22-7) at Knicks (16-12), noon, ESPN
The Bucks are 3-0 against the Knicks this season, including a win at New York on Saturday, but Jalen Brunson dropped 45 points on them in the first game. The first two games took place in Milwaukee.
Buck's Drinking Game: Drink every time the game ball situation comes up on the broadcast when either Giannis Antetokounmpo or his brother Thanasis is shown.
Knicks drinking game: Drink every time Brunson enters the lane and fires a well-aimed shot over a much taller defender.
Something to pay attention to: The Knicks lack size, so how many paint points will the Bucks get in this game?
Is it worth interrupting family time? 👀👀👀
Many celebrating families are likely to be opening their presents at this time, but it's worth a look.
Warriors (15-14) at Nuggets (21-10), 2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN
The defending champion Nuggets are 1-0 against the Warriors this season and we know that Draymond Green is still suspended indefinitely.
Warrior Drinking Game: Drink every time the show discusses Green's suspension and its impact on the Warriors.
Nuggets drinking game: Every time it looks like Nikola Jokić is missing his horses as he dominates the match in a bored manner.
Something to pay attention to: Whether the Warriors can make their 3-point shots. Denver ranks 10th in 3-point percentage allowed, and the Warriors are 8-1 when hitting 40 percent of their threes.
Is it worth interrupting family time? 👀👀👀
You could see Jokić aiming for 30-20-20.
Celtics (22-6) vs. Lakers (16-14), 5 p.m., ABC/ESPN
It is the oldest and boldest rivalry the NBA has to offer.
Celtics drinking game: Drink every time Jayson Tatum makes a stepback jumper.
Lakers Drinking Game: Drink every time we look at the NBA Cup banner as propaganda for a seasonal tournament.
Something to pay attention to: Whether Kristaps Porziņģis can hold off Anthony Davis.
Is it worth interrupting family time? 👀👀👀👀👀
We know that LeBron and Tatum will try to put in special performances to duel in the spotlight.
76ers (20-8) at Heat (17-12), 8 p.m., ESPN
It's a battle between two teams that are constantly overlooked in the East, but the 76ers will be without Joel Embiid.
Sixers Drinking Game: Drink every time Paul Reed scores a goal and my colleague John Hollinger posts that “Bball Paul” needs more time.
Heat drinking game: Drink every time Jimmy Butler tricks the Sixers into a foul and then smiles or trolls them.
Something to pay attention to: How the Heat are trying to neutralize Tyrese Maxey and make everyone else beat them.
Is it worth interrupting family time? 👀👀👀
The Embiid injury takes some of the excitement away, but it will still be fun.
Mavericks (17-12) at Suns (14-14), 10:30 p.m., ESPN
The final match of the evening features the Luka Dončić vs. Devin Booker rivalry. It has a good story.
Mavericks Drinking Game: Drink whenever Luka makes fun of the Phoenix crowd booing him.
Sun's Drinking Game: Drink whenever the show mentions that we've barely seen Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Booker on the court together.
Something to pay attention to: Will either of these teams attack the basket? Dallas is near the bottom of the league and Phoenix is in the bottom half.
Is it worth interrupting family time? 👀👀👀👀👀
A potentially spicy game is the perfect end to the evening.
Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert celebrate a basket against the Sacramento Kings. (Kelley L. Cox / USA Today)
NBA resumes
Who has the best and worst so far?
One of the criticisms of the Philadelphia 76ers' hot start was their weak schedule. They had one of the easiest starting schedules this season, which is not their fault. They just had to play against the teams in front of them. But it also increases their net valuation, which is typically an indicator of future success over time.
They're not the only ones. Let's look at the top teams in each conference and who has the best and worst resumes so far:
Eastern Conference:
Boston Celtics (22-6): Second hardest schedule; 9:2 against the top six in the East; 14-5 against non-losing teams.
Resume meter: 💪💪💪💪💪 About as good a resume as you could hope for.
Milwaukee Bucks (22-7): 29th toughest schedule; 7:2 against the top six in the East; 10-4 against non-losing teams.
Resume meter: 💪They have not been tested too often.
Philadelphia 76ers (20-8): 26th toughest schedule; 1-3 against the top six in the East; 6-7 against non-losing teams.
Resume Meter: 💪Hasn't been tested much either, but recently beat Minnesota.
Orlando Magic (17-11): 18th toughest schedule; 2-4 against the top six in the East; 8-8 against non-losing teams.
Resume Meter: 💪💪 They weren't expected to do too much, but it's a good start for a young team.
Miami Heat (17-12): 28th toughest schedule; 1-4 against the top six in the East; 4-8 against non-losing teams.
Resume Meter: 💪Another East team that has beaten bad teams so far.
New York Knicks (16-12): 23rd toughest schedule; 1-6 against the top six in the East; 5-11 against non-losing teams.
Resume Meter: 💪They are 11-1 against losing teams.
Western Conference
Minnesota Timberwolves (22-6): 16th toughest schedule; 5:1 against the top six in the West; 15-4 against non-losing teams.
CV: 💪💪💪💪Mediocre schedule, but so far they've been great in most situations.
Denver Nuggets (21-10): 6th highest schedule; 5-4 against the top six in the West; 10-10 against non-losing teams.
Resume meter: 💪💪💪They performed well and know they need to adjust their pace.
Oklahoma City Thunder (18-9): Eleventh hardest schedule; 3-4 against the top six in the West; 10-9 against non-losing teams.
CV: 💪💪💪They are 8-0 against losing teams, but have had some impressive wins.
Sacramento Kings (17-11): 5th hardest schedule; 5:3 against the top six in the West; 11-11 against non-losing teams.
CV: 💪💪💪Impressed with how the Kings handled a difficult starting schedule.
LA Clippers (17-12): 24th toughest schedule; 5-4 against the top six in the West; 11-9 against non-losing teams.
Resume Meter: 💪💪Their great winning streak had just ended, but they had to beat bad teams.
Dallas Mavericks (17-12): 21st toughest schedule; 1-7 against the top six in the West; 6-10 against non-losing teams.
Resume Meter: 💪The Mavs have almost exclusively destroyed bad teams.
Bounce passes
Check out the required odds and previews for the Christmas game.
Jason Jones lists the best Christmas sneakers, from Kobes to LeBrons.
Are the Timberwolves title contenders? Sam Amick is convinced of this.
Screen game
- Main idea: “Die Hard” (rental). Yes, it's a Christmas movie. No, your kids probably shouldn't see it. Yes, it's my favorite.
- For the family: “Home Alone” (Disney+). Fun for everyone and a classic that is always well received.
- Really put the kids to bed: “The Night Before” (Tubi). Highly underrated comedy in the “A Christmas Carol” format starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie.
(Top photo of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James: Paul Rutherford / USA Today)