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7.
The NBA is so close we can taste it. So close that training camps actually started today. So close that we now know the highly-anticipated slate of Xmas Day games, which is always a huge thing in the league. For all the talk of ratings and everything over the past few months, the NBA really came correct with this slate. Marvel at it below in Woj's tweet. I gasped when I saw it. Just a perfect lineup of games.
6.
Obviously, in a Covid-19 world, anything can happen, but if that schedule sticks? Man, what a truly great day for basketball it will be. Storylines galore and just downright fantastic matchups across the board. From LeBron and the Lakers against Luka and the Mavs to Kevin Durant and Kyrie against the Celtics, the NBA really knocked this one out of the park. Of course, we hope that this is all played in a safe environment and it will be interesting to see the NBA outside of the bubble, but they're really starting off this season with a bang. Naturally, we decided to rank these five games from our highest excitement and on down. We should note that we're excited for all of them and thankfully they didn't make us watch the Knicks.
5.Nuggets vs. Clippers
Major Storyline: Clippers Blowing the 3-1 Lead
It's so hard to rank these, but there has to be a No. 5 and this game is it. As we said up top, none of these games are bad, this one is just a bit less intriguing than the others. Of course, Twitter is going to be on fire with Clippers 3-1 lead jokes, so maybe we're missing how great this will be. But overall, this is a matchup we just saw seven games of, so it takes the last spot.
4.Mavericks vs. Lakers
Major Storyline: New-Look Lakers Battle Luka
Lakers fans might get mad here, but again, this is a matchup we've seen before, which takes away a bit of the luster. We're glad they didn't do Lakers vs. Clippers here either, though. Save that for later in the season. Still, this will be a fantastic game where the Lakers get to show off some new pieces in Dennis Schroder, Marc Gasol, and Wesley Matthews, while the Mavericks try and prove they're a legit contender going into Luka's third season. This will be a good one.
3.Pelicans vs. Heat
Major Storyline: The Zion Factor
This game isn't all about Zion because the Heat are coming off an NBA Finals appearance, but let's be real, it's a lot about Zion Williamson. He's already one of the biggest draws in the NBA and was must-see TV for a good portion of last season. The Pelicans made a number of moves this offseason and will be looking to take another big step, while the Heat retooled in an attempt to get back to the Finals. It's hard to do much better than this for the first game of the day.
2.Warriors vs. Bucks
Major Storyline: Steph vs. Giannis
To be honest, there's a whole bunch of storylines in this one. Not only is it the return of Steph Curry to the Warriors with a new cast around him, but it's the start of an uncertain season for the Bucks and Giannis. Will this be his last year? Could he actually end up on the Warriors at some point? The NBA isn't slick here with this one. We see you, Adam Silver. And oh yeah, this should be a great game. The Bucks added Jrue Holiday and we know what they can do in the regular season. Would be fun to get a classic Curry showing in this one. Lot of fun.
1.Nets vs. Celtics
Major Storyline: The Debut of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving vs. the Celtics
Yup, this is it. This is the one we've been waiting for. Even if this isn't the actual debut of KD and Kyrie, this is the real debut because it's Xmas and everyone will be watching. This is the prime slot. We're about the see just how good the Nets can be after a full year of waiting. Not only that, but they're going up against a prime contender in the East in the Celtics, who will surely have a lot to say about people penciling the Nets into the NBA Finals already. Get your popcorn ready for this one.