Basketball fans in the Philippines will be in for a treat, as three of the five NBA games scheduled for Christmas will be shown on local television, highlighted by the NBA Finals rematch between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors on S+A.
The Cavs and Warriors have met in the finals for three straight seasons, and the subsequent Christmas Day matchup between the two teams have been a fixture on this schedule for the past three seasons, the first circumstance that has happened since the Heat vs Lakers in the mid 00s.
Last year's matchup saw Kyrie Irving rescue the then-defending champions to snatch the victory over the then-former champions, 109-108, in what may have been one of the best games last season. The Cavs were down 14 in the fourth quarter, with the Duke alum converting the game-winner with 3.4 seconds remaining. The Warriors won their first Christmas Day matchup, 89-83, back in 2015.
Warriors will not have Steph Curry for this matchup, as he recovers from his ankle injury. Meanwhile, Cavs won't have Isaiah Thomas, but he is getting closer and closer to making his season debut with them. He just came off a stint with the Canton Charge to get some additional practice time before being called up again to the Cavs.
Even without Steph and Isaiah, there is still star wattage from this matchup, led by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, both of whom are the active all-time scoring and assists leaders for those who have played on this day. For Wade, this will be his 13th Christmas Day game, with only Kobe Bryant having played more on this holiday. On the other side, there's Kevin Durant, whose once scored 44 against Denver back in 2010 when he was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Speaking of the Thunder, they will host the Houston Rockets at 9am, a match to be shown LIVE on BTV.
The Rockets head to Oklahoma City for the first time since their playoff matchup last season, which served as some sort of referendum as to who was the MVP between James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Russ would eventually get the nod, although James became the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA First Team.
Both teams have retooled since their playoff exits, adding some star wattage by trading for Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul George. They are also seeking their sixth win on this holiday.
The third game features the Los Angeles Lakers, as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves at 1130am on NBA Premium.
This particular matchup will have a special touch since it will have the Inside The NBA hosts (Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, and Charles Barkley) handling the broadcast duties, while sideline action will be handled by Inside Stuff's Kristen Ledlow. Like the other two matchups above, this will be their first meeting of the season.
The Lakers have virtually been a fixture for Christmas Day games, with the upcoming one being its 19th straight appearance, and 43rd overall. In contrast, this is just the second one for the Timberwolves, fresh from their debut last year against Oklahoma City.
Billed as a matchup involving the top overall picks (Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins) against the second overall picks (Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball)
This matchup just received disappointing news as Ball was ruled out of this matchup due to a shoulder issue that was confirmed via MRI, while Ingram was questionable due to his quad. However, this provides the opportunities for the other young guys like Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance, Jr. to step up.
For those who have NBA League Pass, they can catch the other two NBA games on Christmas, which are the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers at 1am and Washington Wizards against the Boston Celtics at 630am.
TV schedule tomorrow:
Cavs vs Warriors: 4am LIVE on S+A and NBA Premium
Rockets vs Thunder: 9am LIVE on BTV
Lakers vs Timberwolves: 1130am LIVE on NBA Premium
The Cavs and Warriors have met in the finals for three straight seasons, and the subsequent Christmas Day matchup between the two teams have been a fixture on this schedule for the past three seasons, the first circumstance that has happened since the Heat vs Lakers in the mid 00s.
Last year's matchup saw Kyrie Irving rescue the then-defending champions to snatch the victory over the then-former champions, 109-108, in what may have been one of the best games last season. The Cavs were down 14 in the fourth quarter, with the Duke alum converting the game-winner with 3.4 seconds remaining. The Warriors won their first Christmas Day matchup, 89-83, back in 2015.
Warriors will not have Steph Curry for this matchup, as he recovers from his ankle injury. Meanwhile, Cavs won't have Isaiah Thomas, but he is getting closer and closer to making his season debut with them. He just came off a stint with the Canton Charge to get some additional practice time before being called up again to the Cavs.
Even without Steph and Isaiah, there is still star wattage from this matchup, led by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, both of whom are the active all-time scoring and assists leaders for those who have played on this day. For Wade, this will be his 13th Christmas Day game, with only Kobe Bryant having played more on this holiday. On the other side, there's Kevin Durant, whose once scored 44 against Denver back in 2010 when he was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Speaking of the Thunder, they will host the Houston Rockets at 9am, a match to be shown LIVE on BTV.
The Rockets head to Oklahoma City for the first time since their playoff matchup last season, which served as some sort of referendum as to who was the MVP between James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Russ would eventually get the nod, although James became the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA First Team.
Both teams have retooled since their playoff exits, adding some star wattage by trading for Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul George. They are also seeking their sixth win on this holiday.
The third game features the Los Angeles Lakers, as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves at 1130am on NBA Premium.
This particular matchup will have a special touch since it will have the Inside The NBA hosts (Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, and Charles Barkley) handling the broadcast duties, while sideline action will be handled by Inside Stuff's Kristen Ledlow. Like the other two matchups above, this will be their first meeting of the season.
The Lakers have virtually been a fixture for Christmas Day games, with the upcoming one being its 19th straight appearance, and 43rd overall. In contrast, this is just the second one for the Timberwolves, fresh from their debut last year against Oklahoma City.
Billed as a matchup involving the top overall picks (Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins) against the second overall picks (Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball)
This matchup just received disappointing news as Ball was ruled out of this matchup due to a shoulder issue that was confirmed via MRI, while Ingram was questionable due to his quad. However, this provides the opportunities for the other young guys like Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance, Jr. to step up.
For those who have NBA League Pass, they can catch the other two NBA games on Christmas, which are the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers at 1am and Washington Wizards against the Boston Celtics at 630am.
TV schedule tomorrow:
Cavs vs Warriors: 4am LIVE on S+A and NBA Premium
Rockets vs Thunder: 9am LIVE on BTV
Lakers vs Timberwolves: 1130am LIVE on NBA Premium
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