NBA Christmas Day games: Who's playing, what time does it start and where can I watch then?
Five back-to-back games will all be shown on BT Sport 1
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Your support makes all the difference.While the rest of the sporting world sleeps and tucks into their turkey, the National Basketball Association has its busiest, and best, slate of games of the season.
There will be five successive basketball games on BT Sport 1 on Christmas Day, with the first one starting at 5pm and running all the way through to the early hours of Boxing Day.
Here, we look at the slate of games that feature five fantastic match-ups.
Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans (5pm GMT)
This may be second in the East against second-bottom in the West, but the recent return of Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday means that the Pelicans worst injury concerns are now behind them. The league’s two best blockers will also square up with Hassan Whiteside up against future MVP candidate Anthony Davis in what promises to be an intriguing first game of the Christmas Day slate. Ageing stars such as Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Team GB hero Luol Deng also feature for the Heat.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Chicago Bulls (7.30pm GMT)
The evening’s second game throws together two heavyweights with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s Thunder taking on the struggling Bulls, tipped by many in the pre-season to be a real contender. Derrick Rose is still way below his best, despite going back to his 2008 MVP haircut and rising star Jimmy Butler recently spoke out about first-year coach Fred Hoiberg not being tough enough. Oklahoma City have won 13 of their 16 home games this year and comfortably occupy the third seed in the West.
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers (10pm GMT)
The game of the day, and the season so far. A repeat of last year’s NBA Finals match-up is undoubtedly the one we've all been waiting for as the Golden State Warriors put their undefeated home record on the line against the Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving’s return from injury has only added to the anticipation in what should be an entertaining point-guard battle with reigning MVP Stephen Curry. Draymond Green, Kevin Love, Klay Thompson and of course LeBron James – there are numerous reasons why you can’t miss this one.
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs (26 Dec, 1am GMT)
James Harden and the Houston Rockets have finally found some form after an extremely disappointing start, but they’ll have their work cut out against the imperious Spurs in this one. Gregg Popovich’s side have been defensively outstanding, restricting opponents to less than 90 points per game and their offence has come on dramatically thanks to the growth of Kawhi Leonard, the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge and the continued excellence of the evergreen Big Three - Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Another high quality match-up.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers (26 Dec, 3.30am GMT)
The final match comes at the Staples Centre between the Lakers and Clippers. This is the first meeting of the season between two teams that have gone in different directions in the last five years. Chris Paul and the Clippers are still looking for that elusive first NBA Finals appearance, while the Lakers continue to struggle in the lower reaches of the West. Worth watching just to see Kobe Bryant one last time on 25 December, as he plays in a record 16th Christmas Day game.
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a very special NBA Christmas Day. Catch all five NBA Christmas Day games from 5pm live on BT Sport and via NBA LEAGUE PASS at www.nba.tv.
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