The NBA is growing closer to finally releasing the full schedule for the 2016-17 season. As usual, the most significant day of games will be December 25th. In a tradition like none other five marquee matchups will headline 2016 NBA Christmas Day.
The day will be highlighted with a rematch of the past two Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors will face off with the defending champion Cavs hosting the contest. The new-look Warriors with the addition of Kevin Durant will be looking for revenge against the Cavs team that came back from 3-1 to beat them in the Finals.
The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will face off on Christmas Day. Both teams had busy offseasons. The Celtics were able to sign one of their main targets in center Al Horford. The Knicks, meanwhile, traded for Derrick Rose, and signed Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee. The game will be played in Madison Square Garden.
Despite losing Durant to free agency, the Thunder will again be showcased on Christmas. With Russell Westbrook leading the way, OKC will be fighting to make the playoffs. They will do so in front of a national TV audience against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Armed with young talent, the Wolves promise to be an entertaining team next year. The NBA has taken notice, giving the franchise its first Christmas game in history.
Matt Moore of CBS Sports first reported on the final two 2016 NBA Christmas Day games including a battle for Los Angeles and Dwyane Wade’s first Christmas Day game as a new member of the Chicago Bulls.
D-Wade will in fact be playing on Christmas Day, unlike his former team the Miami Heat. Wade’s debut as a member of the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day will see his hometown squad travel to Texas and face the San Antonio Spurs. It’s the second big name contest the Spurs will have in the early part of the season as they will also open the season facing off with the Golden State Warriors on opening night. It will be the first time they will play on Christmas Day without Tim Duncan on the roster.
In somewhat of a recent tradition, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers will square off on Christmas Day. The Lakers are slated to be the home team what one can expect to be the final matchup of the day. Kobe Bryant is no long with the Lakers but despite his departure, the NBA still felt it was necessary to put the young Lakeshow on Christmas day. The Clippers, after striking out on signing Kevin Durant, are bringing back the same trio of stars they’ve had for the last few years. This season could be the last time we see the Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan take the court together seeing as CP3 and Blake both can be free agents at season’s end.
Hurry up and mark your calendars now because the 2016 NBA Christmas Day games should be full of excitement.
