LeBron James returns to Miami to face the Heat on Christmas Day
MIAMI (Sporting Alert) — The NBA Christmas Day games are a massive treat for fans all over the world and all five games will be televised in 37 languages and 215 countries.
Over 730 Million fans will be following the NBA on social media and Christmas Day is going to be one of the most eventful days on the NBA calendar this year.
This Christmas Day fixtures will be televised and streamed live on ABC, TNT and ESPN.
There will be over 30 international players that will be on respective rosters on the busy day, with defending champions San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks along with the Los Angeles Clippers all in action.
The action on the court gets underway on Thursday at 12:00 pm on ESPN with the Washington Wizards taking on a New York Knicks side struggling for results.
New York (5-25), which has dropped five straight games and 15 of the last 16, takes on a Washington (19-8) looking to rebound from back-to-back defeats against the Phoenix Suns and the Chicago Bulls.
Prior to those defeats though, the Wizards won six straight and 10 of the 11 games before Sunday.
The Knicks have played more Christmas Day games than any other team with a total 49. In 2013 they were defeated by the Thunder at Madison Square Garden.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant is set to miss the clash with the Spurs after being listed on Wednesday night as out for the contest.
Durant missed his team’s last three games with a sprained right ankle injury. He is averaging 22.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season.
The Thunder (13-16) are coming off an overtime 115-111 defeat at home to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, where Russell Westbrook scored 40 points in the defeat.
Another interesting clash on Christmas Day will come from the AmericanAirlines Arena where LeBron James will make a return to Miami for the first since leaving to rejoining Cleveland (17-10) at the end of last season.
During his time in Miami, James helped the Heat to reach four straight NBA Finals appearances and won two championships, and his former teammate Dwyane Wade has called on the home fans to remember and respect what the star forward has done for the club.
Other Christmas Day clashes include the battle between Western Conference giants Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, fresh off their shocking win over the Warriors, will travel to the Chicago Bulls.
The top four Christmas Day scoring leaders will be on display and the list includes Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. The Golden State Warriors have the seasons highest scoring backcourt in the NBA as they are each averaging 20+ points per game and have a combined average of 45.4 ppg.
Thursday, December 25
MATCHUP TIME (ET) AND TV CHANNELS
Washington Wizards at New York Knicks @ 12:00 PM CSNB, MSG, ESPN
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs @ 2:30 PM ABC
Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat @ 5:00 PM ABC
Los Angele Lakers at Chicago Bulls @ 8:00 PM TNT
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers @ 10:30 PM TNT
