-
-
by
Aidan Baller
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
![Bi-and-zion | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Bi-and-zion.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
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
![miami-heat | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/miami-heat.jpeg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
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
![Golden State Warriors versus Sacramento Kings | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/wiseman.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&ssl=1)
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
![Kd-and-kyrie-1 | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kd-and-kyrie-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
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
![KP | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/KP.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
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
![LA Clippers v Los Angeles Lakers | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dennis-and-harrell.jpg?resize=850%2C478&ssl=1)
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
![pg | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/pg.jpg?resize=1000%2C784&ssl=1)
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
![NBA: Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets | Sideline Cue](https://i0.wp.com/sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jerami-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
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.
![](https://sidelinecue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sidelinelogo1.jpg)
Must See
-
NFL
/ 6 days ago2024 NFL Breakout Star Candidates from Skill Positions
The NFL preseason is about to be upon is in a few weeks and...
By Sheikh U. -
NBA
/ 1 week agoMost Underrated Basketball Teams in the Olympics
Having spoken about the 2024 USA Men’s Basketball Team, it would be appropriate now...
By Sebastian C. -
NBA
/ 1 week agoWill Team USA be Dominant in the Olympics?
With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games starting in less than 10 days, we cannot...
By Sebastian C. -
NBA
/ 1 week ago2024 Free Agency Winners and Losers
We’re over two weeks into the 2024-25 NBA free agency period, and while there...
-
NBA
/ 2 weeks agoThree Important Things I learned from NBA Free Agency
The NBA Free Agency period always has a way of keeping us on our...
-
NBA
/ 3 weeks agoTop 5 Big Threes After 2024 NBA Free Agency
For a while now, the NBA has been all about big threes that are...
By Sheikh U. -
NBA
/ 4 weeks agoFive Things The 2023/24 Boston Celtics Taught Us
The 2023/24 NBA season is officially complete, and while we have already turned the...
-
NBA
/ 4 weeks agoBOLD Predictions For 2024 NBA Free Agency
Free agency starts in less than 24 hours and we could see some massive...
By Sheikh U. -
Joey's Draft Stuff
/ 4 weeks agoTop 5 Winners of the 2024 NBA Draft
The NBA draft is in the books and although it is not known as...
By Joey Barrett -
NFL
/ 4 weeks agoTop 10 Wide Receivers for the 2024 NFL Season
Arguably the most entertaining position in football, the wide receiver position is the most...
By Jacob Nguyen