The NBA on Christmas has always been one of the most exciting days of the NBA season and this season was no different, there were plenty of exciting games. Let’s take a look at some quick reactions to today’s slate of games.
Scores of Christmas Day Games
Miami Heat def. New Orleans Pelicans 111-98
Milwaukee Bucks def. Golden State Warriors 138-99
Brooklyn Nets def. Boston Celtics 123-95
Los Angeles Lakers def. Dallas Mavericks 138-115
Los Angeles Clippers def. Denver Nuggets 121-108
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are Good at Basketball
Although the Pelican’s two star players have received plenty of criticism over their young careers, they are very quickly proving themselves as not only the best players on their team but players with tremendous potential capable of leading their team to playoff contention. Over a stretch in the 2nd and 3rd quarters in the game against the defending Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat, Ingram and Williamson accounted for 26 of their teams 28 points. Each player showed flashes of dominance, with Williamson scoring 18 points in the first half and Ingram taking over the game towards the end of the 3rd quarter. Although the Pelicans weren’t able to win they game, their star duo finished that game with a combined 60 points.
The Heat are not a Fluke
The Heat’s trip to the Finals last season was labeled by many as a fluke, this looks to be a false narrative. Miami is good, they played the entire second half without All-Star Jimmy Butler but were still able to hold their own against an impressive young Pelicans team. Duncan Robinson continues to prove his worth as a lights-out 3 point shooter, Bam Adebayo is developing his game further every season, and Tyler Herro is coming into his own as the future starting point guard of the Heat.
James Wiseman Should be the Favorite for ROTY
It only has been two games, but James Wiseman has looked extremely impressive this year so far. He has shown the ability to play in the pick and roll with Steph Curry. He has shown an impressive ability to shoot the ball on the perimeter and in the mid-range. In Friday’s game against the Bucks, Wiseman was just about the only bright spot, shooting 5-11 from the field and 3-4 from beyond the arc. He finished the game with 18 points and 8 rebounds. He should easily be the favorite to win Rookie of the Year as he has looked like the Warriors second-best player through the first two games.
The Nets Dynamic Duo is Good
The Nets duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant is very very good. The return of Durant after 500+ days and a fully healthy Irving have immediately rocketed the Nets into title contention. Seeing the duo in action has further cemented that idea, given that they torched the Celtics on Christmas for a combined 66 points in a dominant win over another favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
The Mavs Need Kristaps Porziņģis
Luka Dončić has looked impressive in the Mavericks’ first two games this season, with averages of 29.5 PPG, 6 APG, and 6 RPG. Dallas is clearly missing a big piece of their roster due to injury, Kristaps Porziņģis, following his return the Mavericks should be able to bounce back from their two-game skid to begin the season. Porziņģis will add tremendously to both ends of the floor and take some of the load off Dončić.
The Lakers Still Look Like One of the Biggest Winners of the Offseason
The Lakers’ offseason acquisitions of Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell continue to impress in their new threads. Both had a stellar Christmas Day game against the Dallas Mavericks alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Schröder had 18 points and 6 assists while Harrell had 22 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.
Paul George is Back… Maybe
Paul George looks to be returning back to his 2018-19 season form when he finished 3rd in MVP voting with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Last season brought some struggles for George, particularly in the series with the Nuggets that ultimately sent the Clippers home. During the first two games of this season he is averaging 28 points on 64.5% shooting from the field and 58.5% from beyond the arc. While it is a small sample size, those are fantastic numbers and it looks like only time will tell if we have Paul George back to his full potential.
The Nuggets are Going to Miss Jerami Grant
The Nuggets defense had no real answer for Paul George or Kawhi Leonard and were at times even unable to stop the wings for the Sacramento Kings in their first game. This is in large part due to the loss of Jerami Grant, a defensive specialist capable of slowing down the opposing teams best player. In the first two games of the season for the Nuggets, there is a glaring hole defensively that was previously filled by Grant.
All stats courtesy of ESPN.com, NBA.com or Basketball Reference unless otherwise stated.
