December 25th, A day to get together with the family, open presents, and NBA basketball. The best day in regular-season basketball, Star-studded matchups and outrageous ticket prices. Christmas Day basketball was everything we expected, and much more.
Boston Celtics At Toronto Raptors - Celtics Win, 118-102
The Boston Celtics take on the injury-ridden Toronto Raptors. Two of the main players on the Raptors roster, Pascal Siakam, and Marc Gasol, were both excluded from tonight's roster. The Celtics proved to be the more efficient team, shooting a superb 50% from the field as a team, and a staggering 42% from the 3-point line. The Raptors jumped out to an Early 10-0 lead, but following a Celtics timeout, the Celtics outscored the Raptors, 28-19 in the first quarter.
With the absence of Pascal Siakam, players are needed to step up for the Raptors. Chris Boucher proved his worth in the organization, with 24 points on 70% from the field. Rebounding plagued the Raptors' chances of winning the game, being outrebounded by a total of 11 rebounds. The game was full of momentum switches, but Jaylen Brown's 33 point game proved to be more than enough to put away the defending champions.
Milwaukee Bucks At Philadelphia 76ers - 76ers Win, 121-109
The 76ers host the Milwaukee Bucks in a battle between two of the best big men in the league. The 76ers did well to contain Giannis, keeping him only to 18 points. Giannis was forced to take really tough shots, which caused him to end the game with a percentage of 29.6% from the field. The 76ers did well to clog the paint whenever Giannis would attempt to drive, forcing the tough pass, and to force his teammates to drill the open looks that they received.
Statistically, The 76ers are not a great three-point shooting team. Today's game proved quite the opposite. They shot a total of 44 three-pointers and sinking a total of 21. Joel Embiid and the 76ers played amazing on defense and were elite on the glass. Ben Simmons led the team in steals, while Joel Embiid led the team in blocks. All-around great game by the 76ers, forcing the Bucks to make shots, while playing great team offense and defense.
Houston Rockets At Golden State Warriors - Warriors Win, 116-104
The Golden State Warriors played terrific defense of James Harden, keeping him to only 24 points. Harden would get double-teamed as soon as he starts playing his classic isolation basketball. Forcing Harden to pass the ball, forces the rest of the team to make wide-open jump shots. Westbrook shot a total of 8 threes, not making a single one.
The Warriors shot 47% from the field, while the Rockets shot 37%. The Warriors had a better percentage from the free-throw line, 3-point line, and from the field. The Ability to take Harden out of the game proved to be enough to propel them to the Home win.
Clippers At Lakers - Clippers Win, 111-106
Kawhi Leonard led the way with 35 points and 12 rebounds on 57.9% shooting from the field. The Lakers gave up too many threes while struggling from three themselves. Patrick Beverley proved his worth on defense, playing to the crowd, and making clutch defensive plays. Kyle Kuzma had a great first half and finished the game leading the lakers in scoring.
The Los Angeles Lakers were getting the open looks they needed to win the game, but they were not knocking them down. Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers showed many winning characteristics, being the more efficient team, and moving the ball around the court. The Clippers played better, and more efficiently, and deserved to be crowned winners
Pelicans At Nuggets - Pelicans Win, 112-100
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans to stun the Nuggets at home. Ingram dropped a staggering 31 Points on 61% shooting from the field. The Pelicans shot very well from three, shooting 41% as a team. The Nuggets struggled to get any sort of scoring to go their way, they had no players break 25 points in the entire game.
The Nuggets shot 40% from the field, while the Pelicans shot 45%. The Pelicans outscored the Nuggets in the second half, which propelled them to a win tonight. In the last minutes of the game, the Pelicans caught fire to put the game away.
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