In recent years, a new tradition has cemented the ideal Christmas day for my family. After opening up our presents, eating food, and spending time with family, we all sit around the TV and watch some solid NBA action. The NBA does a great job of squaring up good opponents, and this year is no different, with five games! Five games Mr. Stern? Don’t push it. Below you will find a preview of each game, in addition to my pick of who will win. We all know how great I am at picking games…

(Some of the photos below, are my gift to you.)

Miami Heat at New York Knicks (Noon, ET on ESPN)

You may look at this first match up and think, “I’ll be skipping this one.” Honestly, that’s probably what I would think, but I have a real good feeling about this game. The Knicks have been playing pretty solid basketball as of late and have won 3 straight games. The Heat, meanwhile, have been playing inconsistently, but remain 2 games over .500. But, the reason I think this will be a great game is because you have an NBA superstar (Mr. D. Wade) playing at Madison Square Garden. Ask LeBron and Carmelo how much they like playing in New York. Wade is likely going to have a big night tonight with the spotlight on him, but I don’t think it’s going to matter. That’s right, I’m actually going with the Knicks in this one.

Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic (2:30 pm, ET on ABC)

It’s been well documented how much I hate the Celtics. The Magic can be thrown in right behind them on that list. Both of these teams have 22 wins. The Celtics have only lost once on the road, while the Magic have only lost 2 at home. Looking at the recent games each have played, the Magic have been clicking on all cylinders knocking out the Blazers, Jazz, and Rockets. Meanwhile, the Celtics have played some lightweights, and have lost Paul Pierce until early January with a bum knee. That being said, it’s hard to pick against the Magic here. I’m saying Dwight Howard smiles just as many times as Kevin Garnett snarls as Orlando knocks the Celtics off at home.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers (5:00 pm, ET on ABC)

This game is without a doubt the most anticipated of all of the games. This is not the Lakers versus the Cavaliers. It is Kobe versus LeBron. Just the other day as JB and I were waiting in line for our Space Jam Jordans, my cousin’s friends argued who was better between the two for no less than 20 minutes. Those same arguments are on display right now in barbershops, bars, and the North Pole. This game isn’t going to come down to this one on one matchup, but instead the play of the whole teams. If Pau Gasol gets loose, the Lakers can put this away. If Mo Williams is hot, the Cavs will have a great shot at knocking the Lakers off. Here’s where I want to put in my X Factor for the game. His name is Shaq. Shaq has been a non-factor all year. Now with a Christmas Day spotlight, he has a shot to summon up some “Kazaam” energy and put his nemesis, Kobe, away. My Pick? Cavaliers in a close one. Regardless of who wins, I think the game will be tight.

Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns (8:00 pm, ET on ESPN)
L.A.’s other team, the Clippers, have lost 3 of their last 4 as they head to Phoenix to play a team who has also lost 3 of their last 4 games. The Suns, who are a high scoring team, putting up 108 points a game, have been slumping a bit offensively. Part of the scoring woes could be in part do to the ‘Day-to-Day’ status of Jason Richardson, Leandro Barbosa being out, or great defense (ha!). The Clippers are riding on the line of mediocrity, as they sometimes show flashes of being a great team, while other times looking awful. I look for Phoenix to right their ship and win this game, however I wouldn’t be totally surprised if the Clips won this.

Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers (10:30 pm, ET on ESPN)

I think this game has a chance to be the best game of all five played. The Nuggets are coming off a 40 point game from JR Swish, while the Blazers have won five of their last six, including wins over Dallas and San Antonio. Portland has also been doing this whie dealing with injuries to numerous players, including Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla among others. What Oden and Pryzbilla have in common is the fact that they are both centers. With Juwan Howard (hahahahaha!) getting the starting nod, look for the Nuggets to attack the inside.Portland is great at home, so I look for this to be a high energy matchup, with the Nuggets taking this one. Neneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

So there you have it ladies and gentleman, the Christmas Day Preview. I’m sure the teams I didn’t pick to win, will actually win, but regardless, Christmas will be a great day for NBA basketball.

-G