The 2019-2020 NBA season doesn’t begin until October, but there’s already a buzz surrounding the highly anticipated and annual Christmas Day games. This upcoming season’s Christmas Day games are highly anticipated, which could see a preview of two potential conference finals matchups. Here’s what you can look forward to for five marquee matchups when the NBA takeover Christmas Day.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors
The NBA Champion Toronto Raptors play against the Boston Celtics, but both teams will be without their former star players in Kawhi Leonard (pronounced Kah-why) and Kyrie Irving respectively. Instead, fans will take a glimpse at a matchup between up and coming players like Pascal Siakam (pronounced See-ya-com) and Jayson Tatum, plus perennial all-stars in Kyle Lowry and Gordon Hayward. This will be Toronto’s first Christmas Day game since 2001, while the Celtics continue the tradition of playing on Christmas.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors will make another appearance on Christmas Day, this time facing the Houston Rockets. Though the Warriors will be without Klay Thompson, who will sit out with an injury from last season, Stephen Curry will have a new splash brother to rely on in D’Angelo Russell. Going up against another high powered backcourt duo in James Harden and Russell Westbrook, this should be a matchup filled with a lot of high scoring and Harden and Westbrook trying to see who will get a triple double before the other.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets
The Zion Williamson Era for the New Orleans Pelicans will be getting some national attention when they face the Denver Nuggets. Williamson will have the task of going up against Nikola Jokic (pronounced Yo-kich) in the paint, which should make for an intense battle in the paint. Keep an eye on for the Pelicans’ other big man, Jaxson Hayes, as well as other Nuggets players including Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and rookie center Bol Bol.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Now we’ve come to the co-headliner and a potential look at a future Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The focal point of this matchup will surely be on last season’s MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced Anta-toe-koom-po) taking on the duo of Joel Embiid (pronounced Em-beed) and Ben Simmons. In addition to the duo of Embiid and Simmons, the Sixers also have Al Horford, Josh Richardson, and Tobias Harris at their disposal. Milwaukee on the other hand, has Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Eric Bledsoe to counteract. This game will surely bring some postseason like drama, and then some.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Finally, we come to the other co-headliner and a potential look at a future Western Conference Finals matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will look to lead the Clippers against a Lakers duo that boasts LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This will surely be the matchup that everyone will be watching closely. With a matchup like this, it was made for Hollywood.
The Heat Check Magazine 