NBA Schedule 2018-19: Ranking Christmas Day games by watchability

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz high-five during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. /

4. Portland Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz

This slot has generally been reserved for one of the Los Angeles teams, but with the Lakers playing in the mid-day special and the Clippers stepping back from the spotlight, the exciting young Jazz enter the Christmas fray.

They will host the Trail Blazers, who certainly boast the star power to make an interesting nightcap out of this throw-in. Neither Damian Lillard nor CJ McCollum has ever played on Christmas, yet their games are tailor-made for the types of dazzling performances fans want to see as they settle in with their new gadgets and gifts after the day’s festivities.

Once upon a time, there may have been an argument that the Jazz were not “fun” enough to properly entertain Christmas Day audiences. No more. With the explosion of Donovan Mitchell onto the scene last year and his quick rise joining the league’s biggest stars, the Jazz are certainly interesting.

Finally, this game will have bigger playoff implications than most of the other games on the schedule. If the Western Conference is anything like last season, the distance between playoff teams will be miniscule.

The winner of this contest will gain an advantage in the greater scheme of the playoff race, with these teams vying against one another for a higher seed in the postseason.

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