NBA Schedule 2019-20: Ranking Christmas Day games by watchability

2. Rockets at Warriors (5 p.m. ET on ABC)

Christmas Day NBA games are about narratives and rivalries, and there’s no bigger rivalry in the modern-day NBA than the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors have been at the thorn of the Rockets’ side for the past three seasons, being the last team Houston saw on its way out of the playoffs each time. James Harden has vowed that this season would be different, but first, there needed to be some roster tinkering.

Rockets GM Daryl Morey largely did just that, sending a declining Chris Paul out of town in exchange for Russell Westbrook, who was searching for new scenery after his Oklahoma City Thunder surprisingly imploded this summer. With two dynamic scorers on the roster, and a returning cast of Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and other significant role players, the Rockets feel this is their year to finally take down their arch-nemesis.

But Golden State won’t be an easy team for Houston to take out.

Sure, the Dubs lost Kevin Durant this summer, but that was to be expected. What wasn’t expected, however, was the Warriors swinging Durant as a sign-and-trade and bringing in D’Angelo Russell to replace KD’s scoring. On paper, the Warriors once again have a three-headed scoring machine to throw at Houston (minus Klay Thompson, who won’t be returning until around the All-Star break), but now the Rockets have Westbrook, who will be extra hungry to help Harden bring a third championship to Clutch City.

This game is going to be fun, as always.