There was at least one NBA MVP scheduled to play in every Christmas game Monday: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant.
The past four NBA champions are also featured: Denver, Golden State, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra has not lost in eight Christmas Day games.
It’s the Knicks playing on Christmas for the 56th time and 48th time in New York City. “City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.”
James is the all-time leading scorer in Christmas games with 460 points and can break a tie with Dwyane Wade for most Christmas victories. They have 10 though Wade has the better winning percentage – .769 to James’ .588. With his 119 assists on Christmas, James can also get closer to Oscar Robertson’s record of 145. With three steals, he can tie Russell Westbrook (29) for No. 1 on Christmas, and with three 3-pointers he can tie James Harden (31) for most Christmas 3s.
Let’s look at the NBA Christmas Day matchups (completed games listed first, followed by times, TV info and what to watch in later games):
New York Knicks 129, Milwaukee Bucks 122
Jalen Brunson scored 38 points and the New York Knicks snapped Milwaukee’s seven-game winning streak, ending their lengthy skid against the Bucks.
The Knicks had dropped nine straight meetings, including a 130-111 loss on Saturday in the opener of this two-game series. The Bucks had handled New York easily twice while rolling through their December schedule, but they haven’t solved Brunson all season, and the point guard got plenty of help from his teammates this time.
Julius Randle added 24 points and nine rebounds, RJ Barrett bounced back from a poor game Saturday with 21 points and Immanuel Quickley came off the bench for 20. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard each scored 32 points for the Bucks, who fell to 9-2 this month. Khris Middleton added 24. — Associated Press
Zillgitt’s prediction: Knicks
Denver Nuggets 120, Golden State Warriors 114
Jamal Murray scored 28 points, Nikola Jokic overcame an off day from the field by going 18 of 18 from the free throw line and the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to five games by holding off the Golden State Warriors.
Jokic finished with 26 points despite going 4 of 12 from the floor. He set a career-high with his 18 made free throws. Jokic also had 14 rebounds and eight assists. Last Christmas, the Nuggets big man erupted for 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in an overtime win over Phoenix.
Andrew Wiggins gave the Warriors a boost by scoring 22 points as he returned to the floor after missing two games with an illness. Stephen Curry took a bit to warm up, not scoring until midway through the second quarter, but heated up late to finish with 18 points. — Associated Press
Zillgitt’s prediction: Nuggets
Boston Celtics 126, Los Angeles Lakers 115
Kristaps Porzingis had 28 points and 11 rebounds, Jayson Tatum added 25 points and the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time in Christmas Day meetings.
Jaylen Brown had 19 points and Derrick White chipped in with 18 points and 11 rebounds. All five starters had at least 18 points for the Celtics, who have won three straight and 12 of their past 14.
Anthony Davis scored a game-high 40 points with 13 rebounds, LeBron James had 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, but the Lakers have dropped six of eight since winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament. Boston successfully kept Los Angeles at arm’s length in the final quarter, despite Davis hitting the 40-point mark for the 40th time in a regular season game. — Associated Press
Zillgitt’s prediction: Celtics
Miami Heat 119, Philadelphia 76ers 113
MIAMI – Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 31 points and got his first double-double, Bam Adebayo finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds and the Miami Heat held on to beat the Philadelphia 76ers.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra improved to 9-0 on Christmas, the best record in NBA history for head coaches on the holiday.
Tyler Herro scored 22 points, Duncan Robinson added 16 and Kyle Lowry had 12 for the Heat in what became his first Christmas win. Jaquez also grabbed 10 rebounds for Miami, which held a 56-36 edge on the boards.
Reigning MVP and two-time defending scoring champion Joel Embiid missed the game for Philadelphia because of an ankle sprain. Tobias Harris scored 27 points for the 76ers, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 and Mo Bamba 18. — Associated Press
Zillgitt’s prediction: Sixers
Dallas Mavericks 128, Phoenix Suns 114
PHOENIX – Luka Doncic scored 50 points to eclipse 10,000 for his career and had 14 assists, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to a 128-114 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
Doncic capped a Christmas Day full of NBA games with a stellar performance, hitting 8 of 16 from 3 and all 12 of his free throws. He eclipsed 10,000 career points in the first quarter to reach the milestone in 358 career games, seventh fastest in NBA history. .
Dereck Lively II had 20 points and 10 rebounds after missing the previous four games with an ankle sprain and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 points in Dallas’ ninth straight game without Kyrie Irving (heel). — Associated Press
Zillgitt’s prediction: Mavericks
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
