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

Predicting NBA Christmas Day schedule, 8 ET: Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat

Don’t fix what isn’t broken. We know the Bucks and Heat hate each others guts, more or less. The Bucks were the No. 1 seed and suffered the embarrassment of losing to Miami, the No. 8 seed, in the first round. That loss resulted in Mike Budenholzer getting the boot and a summer of reflection from two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Stylistically, this probably isn’t the sexiest matchup for the 8 PM slot. The Bucks and Heat are both liable to play slow, mucky, low-scoring basketball. The Heat shot the lights out in the playoffs but were largely terrible behind the 3-point line last season. The Bucks have the greatest downhill driving force in NBA history and arguably the best defensive core in the NBA, but getting 3s through the net is a struggle from time to time.

That said, NBA fans love ugly basketball. With so many old-heads pining for the the lost physicality of the 80s and 90s, why not serve it up on a silver platter as everyone settles into the couch after a hefty Christmas dinner? Let dad slowly doze off into a turkey-induced coma while Giannis rams headlong into Bam Adebayo’s chest. What better way to celebrate the eternal love of family than with Jimmy Butler jacking up a contested mid-range jumper with three seconds on the shot clock?

In all seriousness, this game is destined to make headlines. The Bucks have something to prove: we’re the No. 1 seed, the best team in the East, with the best player in the world. The Heat could very well employ Damian Lillard by this point, which adds another layer of excitement. Miami will be eager to prove last season wasn’t a fluke either way.

This represents a slight departure from last season’s programming, when three of the five games involved Western Conference teams. That said, the East is where a lot of the drama currently resides and the NBA will want to milk it.