Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches

Predicting NBA Christmas Day schedule, 2:30 ET: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets

A rehashing of the conference finals to brighten everyone’s afternoon. With presents opened and lunches stomached, NBA fans get to feast on perhaps the most anticipated matchup of next season. The Nuggets swept the Lakers out of the postseason, but all four games were close and, more importantly, all four teams were heated.

The Nuggets openly challenged the media’s LA-driven narrative and Bruce Brown recently went on a podcast to call LeBron old. Brown is no longer with Denver, but those sentiments will linger around the franchise. The Lakers will have a point to make and the Nuggets are always a safe bet to play no-nonsense, high-quality basketball.

Nikola Jokic is the consensus best player in the world now. There’s no ducking the reputation, despite his best efforts. People are going to start tuning into Denver games. The Lakers already draw a national audience. This could be LeBron James’ last season, year No. 21 — a potential retirement tour will get butts in seats, especially on a day like Christmas.

The Lakers were the No. 7 seed in the West last season. That won’t dissuade the NBA schedule makers — LA is getting national TV spots no matter what — but it will be interesting to see if the Lakers can carry over their success from late in the season to the new campaign. The roster is largely the same, with a few minor tweaks in the second unit. James was still a top-10 player last season, but he’s certainly on the decline. Anthony Davis was the best player in the playoffs, but consistency and availability year to year with Davis are far from guaranteed.

The Nuggets, meanwhile, lost key depth pieces — primarily the aforementioned Brown. Denver will still be pegged as title favorites in the West, but the gap has narrowed on multiple fronts. This is potentially a good litmus test for the reigning champs.