(Photo : Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat exchanges phrases with Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers late within the fourth quarter through the NBA recreation at Staples Center on December 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Heat defeated the Lakers 96-80.
The NBA has historically staged video games on Christmas Day, sometimes showcasing marquee matchups between the perfect groups within the league, in addition to bitter rivals.
Some of the NBA’s most unforgettable regular-season matchups have taken place on Christmas Day, and we’re about to spotlight a couple of of them.
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5 Best NBA Christmas Day Games Ever
5. Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers, 2010
While the Miami Heat secured a decisive 96-80 victory on the Staples Center, the importance of this matchup was amplified by the extreme anticipation main as much as the sport.
Then-reigning MVP LeBron James was contemporary off his notorious resolution to “take his talents to South Beach,” becoming a member of forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Meanwhile, the Lakers aimed to reaffirm their standing because the NBA’s reigning champions and the league’s dominant drive.
In the tip, James completed with a triple double of 27 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, whereas Bryant had 17 factors on 6-of-16 capturing.
4. Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks, 1986
One of the perfect NBA Christmas Day video games occurred in 1986 on the Madison Square Garden.
With the Bulls holding a slim 85-84 lead within the waning seconds, a missed bounce shot by the Knicks left gamers scrambling for the unfastened ball. Seizing the chance, Ewing grabbed the rebound and swiftly made a buzzer-beating bounce shot, leaving the Bulls shell-shocked.
Michael Jordan’s first Christmas Day recreation didn’t go precisely to plan, and this was the start of a rivalry that might outline the Eastern Conference within the coming decade.
3. Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic, 1995
Coming off a bitter ending within the 1995 NBA Finals, the place they bought swept, the Orlando Magic have been trying to get revenge in opposition to their tormentors Houston Rockets.
Meanwhile, the Rockets’ championship had an asterisk connected to them as a consequence of Michael Jordan’s two-year retirement, they usually have been wanting to show that their title runs weren’t a fluke.
The Magic got here out on prime of a highly-exciting match up, with Penny Hardaway nailing a jumper that bounced off the rim to provide them a 92-90 lead with three seconds left.
2. Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers, 2004
One of essentially the most anticipated common season video games of the century, this recreation was the primary matchup between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in opposition to one another.
The duo gained three NBA titles with the Lakers within the early 2000s, however a bitter feud triggered O’Neal to be traded to Miami in the summertime of 2004.
The recreation went into time beyond regulation, however O’Neal fouled out of the sport within the latter phases. Despite Bryant’s season-high 42 factors, the Heat took the slim 104-102 time beyond regulation win led by rising star Dwyane Wade.
1. Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers, 2016
Perhaps the perfect NBA Christmas Day of all-time occurred in 2016 between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers on the Quicken Loans Arena.
These two groups have numerous historical past, with the Cavaliers claiming the 2016 NBA Championship over the Warriors after being down 1-3 within the sequence, ruining their record-breaking 73-9 win season.
On the opposite hand, the Warriors added star Kevin Durant in free company, forming a squad regarded by many to be the best crew of all-time.
The matchup didn’t disappoint, and it went all the way down to the wire. Cavs star Kyrie Irving nailed a tough fadeaway shot over Klay Thompson with 3.4 seconds left, and that proved to be the game-winner because the defending champs got here away with a 109-108 win.
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