2015 NBA Christmas Day games ranked

The 2015-16 NBA schedule was released yesterday, including, of course, the Christmas Day games. Over the years, Christmas has become the NBA’s marquee day, its answer to the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day spectacle. But Christmas is a time for family and celebration, so you might not be able to watch every game. So which games should you watch? Well let us help you with our official rankings of the 2015 NBA Christmas Day games.

5. Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 PM EST (ESPN)

Look, the Clippers are awesome. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan put together some of the most entertaining games and moments year after year. But if there’s one game you can definitely skip on Christmas this year, it’s Lakers-Clippers. By this point the novelty of D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle playing alongside Kobe Bryant will have worn off. And the Lakers are going to be very bad, while the Clippers are going to be very good. This one might be over by the end of the first quarter.

4. San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets, 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)

Now this is nothing against the Spurs, but I’m kind of done with them at this point. It doesn’t mean they aren’t fantastic. But I’ve seen this crew go about their business for my whole life. I’m not excited to watch Duncan and company anymore. The Rockets, meanwhile, have plenty of talent, but I’m not waiting breathlessly to see Dwight Howard and James Harden shoot 30 plus free throws. For as good as these two squads are, this game should be better, but I’m just not interested.

3. New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat, 12:00 PM EST (ESPN)

Better late than never, as the league has finally put Anthony Davis on display. The Pels have 21 national TV dates, including this one against the Heat. Davis is a must watch anytime he’s on the court, and this game against the Heat is no different. And that Heat team, as long as they stay healthy, should be an exceptionally fun group. Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Chris Bosh, and Hassan Whiteside is a pretty damn good starting five.

2. Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder, 2:30 PM EST (ABC)

Derrick Rose. Russell Westbrook. Jimmy Butler. Kevin Durant. Pau Gasol. Serge Ibaka. What else do I have to say? Get lunch out of the way early, or just watch in front of the TV, because with this much talent on the court at one time, you can’t not watch. Hopefully by this point in the season, people will have remembered just how frighteningly good the Thunder are when healthy.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors, 5:00 PM EST (ABC)

LeBron James.

Steph Curry.

Finals rematch.

You’ll be watching.