Santa was good to NBA fans this year, as he has blessed us with five games on Christmas Day. Here are my previews of tomorrow's matchups:
- New Orleans Hornets @ Orlando Magic
The day tips off with this stellar game featuring two of the best young talents the NBA has ever seen: Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Paul has eclipsed Steve Nash as the best point guard in the league, and he looks to keep his remarkable streak of consecutive games with a steal alive (the streak now stands at 108). Dwight Howard is the best center in the league, an incredibly intimidating specimen and a freakish athlete who is also one of the most charismatic players in the NBA. Chris Paul and Dwight Howard both make for exciting must-see viewing, but they are going to need the help of their teammates if they want to walk away with a Christmas victory.
At point guard for Orlando, Jameer Nelson does not need a Chris Paul-like performance, but he needs to have a productive game if the Magic are to win. Byron Scott's Hornets are likely to pour the vast majority of their defensive attention to Howard, so it's up to Nelson to feed guys like Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Reddick, and Mickael Pietrus. If the three is falling for Turkoglu and Reddick, Stan Van Gundy's Magic have the upper hand. For New Orleans, it's key for David West and Tyson Chandler to have big games, especially if Chris Paul is constantly being double-teamed. The x-factor off the bench is James Posey. He is that rare bench player who has the ability to take over a game.
Both New Orleans and Orlando have championship aspirations. The Magic have looked like true contenders this season, while the Hornets have not yet reached their full potential. Both teams will be eager to prove something tomorrow. The Hornets want to prove that they belong in the title conversation. With the Celtics playing later in the afternoon, the Magic want to send a message that they should be considered a serious threat in dethroning the defending champs. It should be a fun one at Amway Arena.
- San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns
This is the best rivalry in the NBA. These two teams hate each other, and that hate has produced phenomenal playoff series in recent years. Whether it be Robert Horry body-checking Steve Nash into the scorers table, Nash getting his nose bloodied in a collision with Tony Parker, or Amare Stoudamire talking trash, there is always something to talk about when these two meet, and the games are almost always hotly contested. However, the Spurs have experienced the most success. Walking into this game, Tim Duncan and the Spurs have the psychological advantage. It is important for Phoenix to get a win on its home court to provide them with much-needed swagger.
The 2008 Spurs are just like the championship Spurs of the past-----going about their business and winning, all while being completely overlooked. They have battled through injuries (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli), but San Antonio sits comfortably with a record of 18-10. This is a testament to the brilliance of Gregg Popovich, the best coach in the NBA. No other team in the league is better prepared. Another reason why the Spurs remain one of the NBA's great teams is the strong play of Matt "the red rocket" Bonner and Roger Mason. Their productivity was hugely important when Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli were injured. And of course, there is always Tim Duncan, who is a double-double waiting to happen every time he steps onto the court.
The Suns have hit some bumps in the road this season under new coach Terry Porter, and at times they still look like they are having an identity crisis. But Phoenix has played well of late, and newly acquired Jason Richardson has bolstered the team with increased energy. When Richardson came aboard, the Suns started to play with great spirit, and they now look more like the high-octane Suns teams under Mike D'Antoni. Steve Nash may have declined slightly, but he is still a terrific point guard who effectively involves his teammates with effortless ease. And Amare Stoudamire, one of the best big men in the league, is having a superb season. When all is said and done, Phoenix will have a shot at another playoff run.
- Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Lakers
This is the main event, one of the most highly anticipated regular season games ever. When David Stern scheduled this Finals rematch for Christmas Day, he knew that this was going to be a fantastic game, but even the commissioner couldn't have seen things working out this beautifully. Kobe and company, much to my dismay as a Laker hater, are 21-5, are clearly playing better than any other Western conference team. Their defense, though, has been inconsistent, and this game is an opportunity for Phil Jackson's team to prove to their skeptics that they have what it takes to win a championship. A win against the Celtics would be extremely impressive.
But it will not happen. The defending champion Celtics (27-2) are playing at an unprecedented level, and they will secure their 20th consecutive win at the Staples Center. The Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce continue to perform marvelously, but the supporting cast has been the most delightfully surprising part of Boston's success. When James Posey departed for New Orleans, many believed that the Celtics' supporting cast would take a step back. Yet Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, Tony Allen, and Glen Davis have exceeded all expectations. If the Celtics repeat as champs, Doc Rivers' team will be in the discussion for greatest single-season team of all time.
I cannot wait to tune in to what should be a wildly entertaining affair.
- Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Here we have two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. It has been a season to forget for the lowly Wizards. Without Gilbert Arenas, Washington has looked lifeless, leading to the firing of coach Eddie Jordan. Interim head coach Ed Tapscott initially injected Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and company with some life, but that was short-lived. They will be a lottery flop.
Cleveland, on the other hand, has been playing sensational basketball, second only to the Celtics in the East. LeBron James finally has a great team around him, and offseason acquisition Mo Williams has been a perfect fit in Mike Brown's system. The Cavs have even shown resiliency, as when they continued to win during the distractions caused by the LeBron to the Knicks rumors. Like Orlando, the Cavs are determined to send a message to the league that they have every intention of challenging the Celtics for Eastern Conference supremacy.
So on paper, this game looks like a blowout, but don't be shocked if the Wizards keep it tight. Like the Suns and Spurs, these two teams have a heated history in the playoffs. That bad blood could provide for a dramatic, down-to-the-wire nail biter. But it will be extremely difficult for the Wizards to walk out of Quicken Loans Arena with a W.
- Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers
The final game of the night is an intriguing clash between a group of veterans and a group of youngsters. Rick Carlisle's Mavs have missed Devin Harris this season, but Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki are still hoping to play deep into May. Portland has been the surprise of the year, with Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez catapulting Nate McMillan's Blazers to the top of the Western conference standings.
But the jury is still out on both teams. Will the Mavericks make a move in the West, or will they be fighting for their playoff lives in April? Will Greg Oden consistently look like a number one draft pick, or will Oden be the second coming of Derrick Coleman? Can Jason Kidd play like the Jason Kidd of old? Can the Blazers sustain their winning pace? It will take some time before the answers to these questions are revealed, but tomorrow night will provide us with a glimpse of what to expect.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Enjoy the basketball that tomorrow has to offer!
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