10 NBA things to watch for on Christmas Day

Give credit where credit’s due: The NBA gave its fans a 12-hour marathon of presents on Christmas Day.

Whereas most Christmas schedules in years past have featured one or two clunkers among the five-game slate, the 2017 version looks tantalizing from top to bottom. From an early showdown between two of the league’s top young big men to a potential Finals rematch in the early afternoon, budding rivalries in both conferences and a nightcap featuring some of the league’s brightest next-generation talents, Christmas Day will be the gift that keeps on giving to NBA fans.

Understandably, family or work obligations may prevent you from parking yourself in front of a TV all day and night to watch 12-plus hours of basketball straight. (If that’s the case, consider finding a new family and/or job.) For those of you unlucky souls who can’t catch all five games on Christmas Day, we’re here to highlight the biggest things worth tracking throughout the proceedings. To hold your own during post-Christmas water-cooler conversations at the office, pay attention to the following 10 storylines in particular.

So clear out your DVR space, download the Watch ESPN app and get ready for the best full-day marathon of basketball between now and the beginning of March Madness.

Next: 10. The clash of unicorns