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The NBA’s Christmas Day video games didn’t disappoint. The league’s collection of video games to cater in the course of the holidays was every little thing followers wished and extra– entertaining hoops from begin to end. Over 24 hours have handed for the reason that first recreation tipped off on the twenty fifth, so let the Christmas hangover sit whereas we take a look at the most important takeaways from Sunday’s motion.
Comeback for Harden and the Sixers.
The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks set the bar very excessive for the remainder of the groups competing on Christmas. On paper, the Knicks are the extra full staff, and it confirmed– for many of the recreation. Regardless of the freezing temperatures in New York Metropolis, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett stored it scorching in Madison Sq. Backyard. The Knicks led for many of the recreation behind Randle’s 35 factors and eight rebounds and Brunson’s 23 factors and 11 assists.
The Sixers obtained their first lead virtually midway via the fourth and they didn’t decelerate. They went on to edge the Knicks 119-112 on the finish of 48 minutes. MVP candidate Joel Embiid lead the 76ers in scoring with 35 factors. Within the absence of Tyrese Maxey, who has developed to be the Sixers’ secondary scoring choice, former MVP James Harden rose to the event with 29 factors and 13 assists. The Knicks performed an unbelievable recreation, However the Sixers proved they compete and are available again from the trenches. They’re at the moment fifth within the east and might work their means up with a wholesome squad and extra performances like this.
37 is the brand new 20.
The youngest participant on the Dallas Mavericks roster is Jaden Hardy at 20 years previous. On the other finish is 34-year-old veteran JaVale McGee. The Mavericks had been led by their 23-year-old star Luka Doncic, who struggled to start with however managed to attain 32 factors because the Mavs edged the Los Angeles Lakers 124-115.
LeBron James’ longevity isn’t in query. However on Sunday, he as soon as once more proved why that age is only a quantity with one other noteworthy efficiency. With Anthony Davis out as a result of damage, James stepped as much as lead his staff with 38 factors. Regardless of the shedding end result, James began and completed the sport robust. In his twentieth season within the league, James as soon as once more proved that he can nonetheless grasp with the league’s younger expertise.
It’s crowded on the highest of the east.
As of Sunday the Milwaukee Bucks had been on high of the Jap Convention. However after 48 minutes, that modified courtesy of the Boston Celtics. After a convincing 139-118 victory, the Celtics are as soon as once more on high. Whereas the hole is just not that massive between these groups, the Celtics reminded followers why they got here out of the east final season. Jayson Tatum’s 41 factors proved an excessive amount of for Greek Freak and firm. And so as to add insult to damage, Tatum posterized Antetokounmpo for Christmas.
Their data are virtually similar, however the Celtics placed on a showcase for the Bucks. They reminded them that there’s solely room for one on high of the Jap Convention. Each video games between jap groups on Christmas Day confirmed how aggressive issues might get. The third and fourth-seed Cavaliers and Nets are enjoying on Monday, the twenty sixth. Nevertheless, the Celtics had an announcement win and set themselves aside with the victory over Milwaukee.
The Grizzlies are usually not wonderful within the west.
Anyone who believed Ja Morant when he stated he is not worried about any groups within the west shouldn’t be speaking about basketball. I’m not taking something away from Morant. As a person, he’s stellar, however as a staff, the Grizzlies should not have what it takes to get out the west fairly but. The Golden State Warriors should completely despise the Grizzlies. There may be not sufficient historical past to name this a rivalry, however a number of drama. With out Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, the defending champions have dropped to the eleventh seed. Nevertheless, they rose from the ashes on Christmas Day to beat the Grizzlies 123-109.
The Warriors rode the shoulders of their children to victory. Whereas Draymond Inexperienced had a sluggish scoring evening, Jordan Poole tallied 32 factors, and Klay Thompson obtained 24 of his personal. Donte DiVincenzo, Ty Jerome, Anthony Lamb, and Moses Moody all reached double-digits in scoring. The Warriors are nonetheless the Warriors no matter the place they’re within the standings. If this recreation proved something, it’s that irrespective of how good the Grizzlies are, and irrespective of how good they assume they’re, confidence won’t get them previous the Clippers, Nuggets, Suns and a wholesome Warriors squad come April.
No joking round for The Joker.
The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns closed the present with a back-and-forth so good, they wanted greater than 48 minutes. After all, Nikola Jokic shined just like the North Star. Only a week after his historic 40-27-10 triple-double in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets, The Joker had one other one for the books. Jokic’s 83rd profession triple-double got here on Christmas Day with 41 factors, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists because the Nuggets outlasted the Suns in extra time. It was solely the fourth time this feat was achieved in NBA historical past. James Harden achieved it in 2016, and Oscar Robertson pulled it off in 1961 and 1962.
Reaching two milestones in per week is spectacular, to say the least. Jokic repeatedly collects these particular person milestones whereas his staff stays on high of the Western Convention. Don’t be shocked if he collects a 3rd consecutive MVP trophy on the finish of the season.
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