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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DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 03: (L-R) Stephen Curry #30 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors share a laugh during play against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 3, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. /

2. Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors

Lock it in: We’re getting this matchup in some form or another for the remainder of James’ career. With James in Los Angeles for at least the next three years, it seems like it will be Lakers at Warriors for years to come. After that, maybe Lakers-Knicks, if Kevin Durant’s alleged interest in New York materializes?

Regardless, there are few things in basketball right now more riveting than LeBron vs. the Warriors, a true David and Goliath type of thing manifested even in the name of the team James goes to war with each June. James is the best, except when he plays the team named after a group that lives to slay. And slay they do, just about every time.

On the margins, there are other interesting matchups to watch for here. Lonzo Ball’s game is still perfectly crafted to contain Steph Curry, and it will be interesting to watch as the improved Lakers play more competitive games against Golden State. Plus, pitting Durant and Brandon Ingram against one another has Spiderman meme potential.

If nothing else, this new iteration of James vs. Golden State is going to be more interesting this year than even last year’s Finals. We knew what it looked like for James to take Cleveland further than they should have gone and come up short. This will be different.

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