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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SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Sacramento Kings on February 22, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. /

3. Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets

Quite a bit has changed for these juggernauts since we saw Oklahoma City seize a five-point victory over Houston last Christmas.

The Thunder, with an assist from Nas, retained Paul George, against odds many thought were insurmountable. They traded Carmelo Anthony and his prickly presence, taking on the Dennis Schroder experiment in the process. Oklahoma City finished its summer by re-signing the majority of its depth pieces and aiming for a championship once more.

Houston’s summer was defined by what it lost, specifically the long, veteran wings that represented a real strength of last year’s squad. Gone are Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute, replaced with unheralded youngster James Ennis and of course Anthony himself. Just don’t call it a revenge game.

This one will be decided in the backcourt.

Guards like Russell Westbrook and Paul George playing against James Harden and Chris Paul is just about as star-studded as it gets. Stylistically, this matchup also represents an interesting ideological battle. Westbrook is almost a decade into his career and still trying to work on his 3s, whereas Harden stole back the MVP trophy from Westbrook by making that shot his most deadly weapon.

Watching it play out while I hide from my family before dinner will be fantastic.

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