10 NBA things to watch for on Christmas Day

9. Ben Simmons in the Mecca

While the Embiid-Porzingis battle will draw main billing for the first Christmas Day game, don’t overlook the Madison Square Garden debut of Rookie of the Year front-runner Ben Simmons.

Though Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Boston’s Jayson Tatum (to a lesser extent) are lurking if Simmons slips up, the Australian phenom is running away with the honors for top rookie this season. With per-game averages of 17.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.1 steals through his first 27 games, he’s already hanging out in statistical territory with only LeBron James and Russell Westbrook this season.

A dominant debut performance at the Mecca would only further cement his status as the overwhelming favorite for Rookie of the Year.

Legends such as James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce are no stranger to mammoth outings at the Garden, which helped endear them to the NBA community at large. The Mecca tends to bring out the best in superstars — that, or the Knicks’ often poor defense — which makes Simmons’ MSG debut a must-watch even for non-76ers fans.

Can Simmons follow in the footsteps of James, who has a pair of 50-point Garden eruptions under his belt? Can he become the 16th player in the lottery era to record a triple-double at the Mecca? We’ll find out at noon on Christmas Day.

Next: 8. The 'Funeral Game,' Part Three?