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Christmas is a very special day for NBA teams. The most iconic NBA teams usually play on that date.
Image credit: Fadeaway World
Christmas is that time of year when families come together and share devotion. That being said, it’s also one of the best days to watch the NBA. Ten teams and five games occupied the holiday. Families can open presents before Game 1 at noon ET.
The first NBA game was played on Christmas Day 1947. Since then, except for 1998 because of the lockout, the NBA has played a game on Christmas every year. This year, the NBA Christmas schedule includes Sixers-Knicks (ESPN, noon), Lakers-Mavericks (ABC, 2:30 p.m.), Bucks-Celtics (ABC, 5:00 p.m. ), Grizzlies vs. Warriors (ABC and ESPN, 8:00 p.m.) and Nuggets vs. Suns (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.). All games are Eastern time zone start times.
The NBA is scrupulous about who they choose to play on Christmas. It usually features the more successful teams in the league; however, it also takes the big market into account. For better or worse, the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have all found their way into the Christmas schedule. After all, the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans lead the Western Conference but won’t play Christmas games.
Some teams were supposed to play on Christmas, while others never got the chance. This is the last Christmas game for each team.
Atlanta Hawks – 2021
The Eagles had a 9-12 record on Christmas Day. Their last game was played last year as the team made a memorable run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The two-team battle features two sub-.500 teams.
It’s also lackluster for fans hoping to see Trae Young sidelined through injury. Instead, the Hawks trailed in the second half, trailing 40-36. John Collins and Delon Wright each had 20 points, while Skyrames scored 11 off the bench.
Boston Celtics – 2021
Historically, the Celtics have had one of the most watched games on Christmas. The second most frequent Christmas game is between the Celtics and the Knicks. The two teams have met eight times, the last time in 2016. The Celtics lead 5-3 in the series.
The Celtics played 35 games on Christmas Day and are 15-20 overall. Last year the team played the Bucks, so both teams got a second chance. The Celtics were 16-16 at that time last year, not playing like the NBA Finals version. Milwaukee won the game 117-113 despite Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scoring 50 points.
Brooklyn Nets – 2021
After the offseason in 2021, the Nets are regarded as the team out of the Eastern Conference. With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, this should be a three-headed monster controlling the conference. The Nets were playing well, 22-8 going into the game. However, neither Durant nor Irving played in the game.
Harden led the Nets to a 122-115 victory with a Christmas triple-double of 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Patty Mills was also an unlikely hero, scoring 34 points. Overall, the Nets were 6-5 in 11 games on Christmas Day.
Charlotte Hornets – Never
The history of the Hornets can be traced back to 1988. From 1988 to 2002 the team was the Hornets, then the team became the Bobcats in 2004. In 2014, the team returned to the Hornets. With all these changes and the passing of the years, the Hornets were never asked to be on TV.
You can’t blame the NBA for this, though. This team has never made it past the second round of the playoffs in franchise history. The Hornets have made the playoffs several times since Michael Jordan bought the team. Now, the team also has the worst record in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls – 2016
One would think the third largest market in the US would enjoy Christmas more than they do. Having said that, this team only has 20 appearances, but they have proven to be winners, as the Bulls are 13-7 overall. Unfortunately, the team’s mediocrity has been noticed, having not played on Christmas Day since 2016.
The Bulls lost to the Spurs 119-100. The team featured one-year workouts for Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. Wade had 24 points and Butler had 19. However, the Spurs improved to 25-6 and held the Bulls below .500.
Cleveland Cavaliers – 2017
LeBron James’ final season in Cleveland was also the last time the Cavaliers were at fans’ homes during the holidays. It also includes an NBA Finals rematch with the Warriors. Both teams played well, the Warriors 26-7 and the Cavaliers 24-9. In the end, the Warriors won the game 99-92.
Kevin Love was the star of the game with 31 points and 18 rebounds. James contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Jae Crowder had 15 points and six rebounds, while Dwyane Wade had 13 points off the bench. The Cavaliers are 7-7 overall over the holidays.
Dallas Mavericks – 2021
As long as Luka Doncic plays in Dallas, the Mavericks will be easy. Doncic is a star, and the league loves stars at Christmas. Even before Doncic, the Mavericks had stars like Dirk Nowitzki, but the team wasn’t asked to spend Christmas very often. The team made just five appearances on Christmas Day and is 2-3 overall.
Last year, the Mavericks trailed the Jazz 120-116. Doncic did not play, so that was an inconvenience. Instead, Kristaps Porzingis had his best game of the year with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Jalen Brunson had 27 points himself. This year, Doncic will have a chance to shine on Christmas Day.
Denver Nuggets – 2020
Christmas wasn’t the best of holidays for the Nuggets. It might be great if the team doesn’t play, but it’s not a happy ending if the team is featured. In seven appearances, the team has 1 win and 6 losses. Led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the team will be the main attraction, but will struggle to secure their second Christmas win as the team faces the Phoenix Suns.
The Nuggets played against the Clippers in the 2020 game, but were overturned 121-108. Jokic nearly had a triple-double, but finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Jamal Murray also had 23 points. Last year, Murray was injured and the Nuggets were ruled out. With the team healthy, the Nuggets should be fun.
Detroit Pistons – 2005
By this time, the Pistons were wrapping up the final years of their dynasty. Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Ben Wallace are parting ways for good. It was a good performance for the core, as the team reached the NBA Finals twice. Even before that group, the Pistons were the Christmas favorites. The team appeared in 32 games, but with an overall record of 10 wins and 22 losses, it failed to become the recognized winner.
It’s been a long time since Detroit was asked. The glory days of the 80s and 2000s are long gone. They won their final game 85-70, with Billups leading by 20 points while Wallace, Wallace and Hamilton all scored in double figures.
Golden State Warriors – 2021
Dating back to their days in Philadelphia and San Francisco, the team has been a Christmas regular. The team played 31 times, but had an overall record of 14 wins and 17 losses. With the Warriors’ full comeback last year, the team is back after a brief absence.
The Warriors (26-6) take on the Suns (26-5) in a contest between the two top teams. The Warriors took advantage of Stephen Curry’s 33 points to take a 116-107 lead. Otto Porter Jr. had 19 points, while Gary Payton Jr., Jonathan Kuminga and Neiman Jabayelika scored in double figures.
Houston Rockets – 2019
From Hakeem Olajuwon to James Harden, the Rockets played well on Christmas Day. The team has 12 appearances and a record of 6 wins and 6 losses. Since Harden was traded, the Rockets have not recovered. That makes sense as the team continues to rebuild, but if these players are successful, Houston could return in the future.
Houston’s final appearance was a 7-24 loss to the injured Golden State Warriors. Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, and Harden had 24 points and 11 assists. However, Damion Lee, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell combined for 62 points to lead the team to a surprise victory.
Indiana Pacers – 2004
In 2004, the Pacers and Pistons competed for the Eastern Conference championship. In any case, this is just a preview of the eventual Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, this is also Reggie Miller’s final season. Despite having some players in Jermaine O’Neal and Paul George and owning a 2-2 overall record, the Pacers weren’t brought back.
The last game was a 98-93 loss to the Pistons. Miller had 24 points and O’Neal had 21, but Richard Hamilton had 25 and Chauncey Billups had 20.
Los Angeles Clippers – 2020
If the Clippers can stay healthy, the team will be on the roster. Unfortunately, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have been unreliable on the court, which is why the team likely won’t be called back this year. That being said, the Clippers are 8-8 in 16 appearances on Christmas Day.
In 2020, both stars were in the game and shining the way we thought they would. George led the team with 23 points and nine assists, while Leonard had 21 points. Nicolas Batum had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds in a 121-108 win over the Nuggets.
Los Angeles Lakers – 2021
Like the Nets, the Lakers are considered favorites to reach the NBA Finals in 2022. Instead, the team entered the game 16-17 with plenty of doubts. The addition of Russell Westbrook hasn’t worked out. That being said, it doesn’t really matter who is playing, as the Lakers get asked every year. After all, they’re a historic franchise. The team played 48 times on Christmas Day and went 24-24 overall.
The team’s main star, LeBron James, had an excellent Christmas data with 39 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Westbrook had a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, while Carmelo Anthony had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds in a 122-115 loss to the Nets.
Memphis Grizzlies – Never
The Grizzlies are one of two teams to play on Christmas Day. The team’s history dates back to 1996-2001 in Vancouver. The team has since moved to Memphis, but has never made it to the NBA Finals. Plus, Teams is a smaller market.
That being said, the Grizzlies are in contention for the top spot in the league this season. Thanks to the rise of Ja Morant, the Grizzlies finally broke their spell this season, with the Hornets becoming the only team not to play on Christmas Day.
Miami Heat – 2020
When the Heat are asked, the team responds. In 13 games, the team has an overall record of 11-2. Even when James left the Heat in 2014, the team still had stars like Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler to keep the franchise relevant. In 2020, the team is about to enter the NBA Finals.
Zion Williamson’s Christmas debut was ruined by the Heat 111-98. Duncan Robinson led the team with 23 points, while Goran Dragic nearly had a double-double with 18 points and nine assists. Bam Adebayo added 17 points, while Butler scored a low four in 16 minutes.
Milwaukee Bucks – 2021
Expect the Bucks to be a Christmas game where former two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will play at a high level. The Bucks are 5-3 in eight appearances this holiday season. This team, the 2021 champions, looks like their product from last year.
The Bucks defeated the Celtics 117-113. Antetokounmpo led the game with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton each scored 17 points while…
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