This year’s annual NBA Christmas showcase will look a lot different with no thanks to the alarming spike of positive COVID-19 cases.
Multiple players have entered the league’s health and safety protocols so they’re not available, which includes the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, Andrew Wiggins, and Jordan Poole.
Nonetheless, NBA 2021 highlights are to be expected since we there’s still enough star power in one of the much-awaited days of the season.
Take a look at what the NBA has to offer for SBOTOP fans as we’ll examine tomorrow’s Christmas Day matches.
Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks
Two teams hovering in the play-in spots are to renew their rivalry at Madison Square Garden. However, the Knicks are slightly favoured to win, as per the NBA 2021 odds.
That is because New York come into this game with a healthier roster compared to Atlanta, since the visitors continue to navigate through COVID-19.
Trae Young – who has been carrying the Hawks on his shoulders – is still unavailable, while the same can be said Danilo Gallinari and Clint Capela.
Delon Wright and Cam Reddish have deputised for their star guard. However, both are considered questionable following their injuries that they sustained against the Sixers.
Should the two won’t play, the Hawks will have to settle for the likes of Wes Iwundu and Skylar Mays to lead the backcourt which isn’t ideal at all.
Speaking of backcourt, the Knicks are revitalised by the strong showing of Kemba Walker in these past few games.
Walker – who was surprisingly benched by Tom Thibodeau earlier – is fresh from a 44-point outburst vs. the Wizards, while Alec Burks had 20 points and seven rebounds.
While the backcourt edge goes to the Knicks, the frontcourt is a different story since John Collins and Onyeka Okongwu can to take on Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson.
Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are plotting for revenge against the Celtics in what will be their third face-off this term.
For all the struggles that Boston have had so far this season, they look to have the Bucks’ number since they’ve won in their two earlier meetings so far.
In terms of recent form, however, the Bucks have the slight edge since they’re enjoying a two-game win streak while the Celtics are fresh from a victory over the Cavaliers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t be available again for Milwaukee since he’s self-isolating, leaving Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton shouldering the load.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, will continue to lead the line for the Celtics.
Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns
Christmas day was supposed to be Klay Thompson’s much-awaited return, but he remains unavailable for the Warriors in their upcoming showdown against the Suns.
With him sidelined alongside Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, Steph Curry and Draymond Green are to lead while Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton Jr. should get an uptick in playing time.
Phoenix, meanwhile, will continue to lean on their trio of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton.
The Suns and the Warriors are two of the best teams in the NBA today and they’ve split their meetings during their mini-series in early December.
Whoever wins this contest is going to hold the bragging rights of being the top seed in the Western Conference.
Brooklyn Nets @ Los Angeles Lakers
This should’ve been arguably the matchup for the night, but COVID-19 didn’t do us any favours – particularly for the Nets faithful.
The Nets remain undermanned and they’re fresh from a tough loss against the Magic as majority of their rotation is composed of G League players.
James Harden and Paul Millsap have reportedly been cleared from COVID-19 protocols, although we expect some rust on their end since they haven’t played in a while.
As for the Lakers, they cannot afford to be complacent at all despite taking on a depleted Nets team since they’re on a four-game slide.
LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have been doing well individual-wise, but they aren’t getting enough support from their other rotation players and they’re missing the services of Anthony Davis.
Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz
Similar to the Lakers-Nets game, the Jazz are going to be licking their chops upon facing the shorthanded Mavericks.
Luka Doncic has already been on the sidelines due to an ankle injury and he has entered the league’s health and safety protocols yesterday.
Kristaps Porzingis, who didn’t play against the Bucks, has a toe knock and he’s questionable to play.
Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Dwight Powell are going to run the show for the Mavs, but trying to get a win against Utah led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert might be too much for them to handle.
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