The vacation is right here, and 5 must-see matchups are on the NBA slate — and our panel of reporters is watching each second!

Follow alongside on Christmas Day, as Yaron Weitzman, Ric Bucher and Melissa Rohlin share their main takeaways from every primetime contest.

Philadelphia 76ers 119, New York Knicks 112

Current standing: The Sixers are actually 20-12 and at the moment driving an eight-game win streak. The Knicks now fall to 18-16, and have misplaced three in a row. 

Key stats: Joel Embiid continued to stake his declare as one of the best participant within the recreation. He is main the league in scoring and put up 35 in Sunday’s win.

Major takeaways: The story of this recreation — earlier than and through — was James Harden. An hour earlier than tip-off we acquired the bombshell, courtesy of ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, that Harden “is significantly contemplating a return to the Houston Rockets in free company this July.” Then through the recreation, Harden carved up the Knicks to the tune of 29 factors and 13 assists whereas serving to lead the 76ers to a 119-112 win in Madison Square Garden. The victory was the Sixers’ eighth straight, and it showcased what the staff envisioned when it paired Harden with Embiid. Two dominant gamers (Embiid had 35 factors on 12-for-22 taking pictures), who, when at their greatest, type an unbeatable combo. The query, after all, was at all times going to be whether or not the celebs have an interest and keen to work with one another. Games like this present what it seems like once they do. Reports just like the one which got here out this morning are why it is comprehensible in case you stay doubtful. — Yaron Weitzman

Dallas Mavericks 124, Los Angeles Lakers 115

Current standing: Both L.A. and Dallas have underwhelmed this season. The Lakers are 13-20 and have now misplaced 4 straight. The Mavs are actually 18-16 and have received three in a row.

Key stats: This season, the Mavs are actually 15-6 when Luka Dončić scores 31 or extra. But he wasn’t alone at this time, as Christian Wood put up 30 and Tim Hardaway Jr. tallied 26.

Major takeaways: The Mavericks dared LeBron James to beat them — the Lakers didn’t dare do the identical with Dončić. In the top, Dallas’ recreation of hen proved to be far more practical for a 124-115 win. The Lakers and James, as they often have this season, seemed like a formidable opponent early however pale down the stretch. Concerns about Dončić’s supporting solid, in the meantime, appeared well-founded by means of the primary 24 minutes. Forcing the ball out of his arms by double-teaming him as quickly as he crossed half court docket labored extraordinarily properly, as Hardaway and Spencer Dinwiddie shot a mixed 1-for-10 for a complete of three factors. The Mavs, in the meantime, had been content material to selectively run a second defender at James, and he took full benefit, scoring 18 first-half factors on 9-for-13 taking pictures for an 11-point Lakers’ halftime lead.

But all that modified within the third quarter. The Lakers continued to double-team Dončić, however faster choices and higher ball motion total resulted in huge open 3s galore. After lacking 12 of 17 long-range makes an attempt within the first half, the Mavs buried seven of 11 within the third quarter and restricted the Lakers to 1-for-6 from the identical vary, all of which resulted in a 31-point swing, Dallas taking a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. James added 20 second-half factors for a game-high 38, however half of these got here from the free-throw line within the closing interval after the end result had been determined. Dončić, having expended minimal vitality within the first half, got here alive: 22 factors, seven assists (with out a turnover) and 6 rebounds to complete one board and one dime wanting a triple-double. — Ric Bucher

Boston Celtics 139, Milwaukee Bucks 118

Current standing: With the win, Boston remained atop the East at 24-10. Milwaukee is now 22-11, because it awaits the return of Khris Middleton as soon as once more.

Key stats: Jayson Tatum went off for Boston in its greatest recreation of the season thus far, tallying 41 factors on 14 of twenty-two taking pictures, seven rebounds and 5 assists. The Celtics are 15-3 this season when Tatum scores 30 or extra, 5-1 when he scores 40 or extra, and 12-2 when he shoots 50% or higher from the sector. 

Major takeaways: When Tatum performs as if he’s one of the best participant within the NBA, the Boston Celtics play just like the league’s greatest staff. That was demonstrated as soon as once more in a battle of the league’s high two groups within the Christmas Day primetime recreation, the Celtics pulling away from the Bucks for a 139-118 win behind 41 factors from Tatum.

Competitively, the sport was nearer than the ultimate rating may recommend, however the Celtics had been in management a lot of the evening. The Bucks got here into the sport because the league’s third-best protection, with Brook Lopez being a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo perennial All-Defense staff decisions. But Tatum seemed fully unfazed and had his scoring at each degree — inside, midrange, lengthy vary — working.

For no matter motive, when Tatum performs with confidence, it spreads to the remainder of the Boston squad. Point guard Marcus Smart was at his environment friendly greatest, scoring solely six factors, however delivering eight assists with just one turnover. Jaylen Brown struggled on the free-throw line (2-for-6) however was clinically environment friendly all over the place else (11-19 total, 5-9 on 3s) for 29 factors. Tatum knocked down three of his seven 3s (42.9%) and that impressed stable taking pictures from your entire squad (collectively 19-for-39, practically 50%). The Celtics outscored the Bucks from past the arc, 57-39.

It additionally helped that the Celtics had been as near full energy as they’ve been all season, with middle Robert Williams coming off the bench for his fourth look of the season, and the Bucks weren’t, with All-Star guard Khris Middleton out for a fifth straight recreation. Williams solely enhanced one of many Celtics’ benefits over the Bucks: depth. Boston’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s 40-29.

Antokounmpo has proven, at instances, that he can erase that and each different benefit an opponent might need, however this was not a type of instances. His plus-minus of -27 was far and away the worst on the staff, and he wanted 22 photographs to attain 27 factors. In a battle between two of the highest MVP candidates this season, benefit: Tatum.

Golden State Warriors 123, Memphis Grizzlies 109

Current standing: Memphis and Golden State are headed in two completely different instructions, however G.S. bought a much-needed win tonight. The Grizz are close to the highest of the West at 20-13, and have received eight of their final 11. The Warriors are at 16-18, and have misplaced seven of their final 10.

Key stats: Since Steph Curry went down with a shoulder damage, the Warriors are 2-3. And although they earned a 16-point win at Toronto on Dec. 18, and a 14-point win on Sunday, their three losses since Curry’s damage have been by a median of 26.7 factors.  

Major takeaway: Still to return!

Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets

Current standing: Denver is within the dialog for greatest staff within the league, sitting atop the West at 20-11 and having received six of its final seven. Phoenix, the highest staff within the West from a 12 months in the past, is fourth within the convention at 19-14, however has solely received three of its final 10 video games.

Key stats: Reigning MVP Nikola Jokić is arguably getting higher. He’s averaging 24.9 factors, 10.9 rebounds and is third within the NBA in assists, with 9.3. He is the one non-point guard within the high 10 in assists and the one middle within the top-37 (Embiid is thirty eighth with 4.6 assists per recreation). Jokić can be tied for first within the league in triple-doubles (six) and double-doubles (22) this season.

Major takeaway: Still to return!

Yaron Weitzman is an NBA author for FOX Sports. He is the creator of “Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers and the Most Audacious Process in the History of Professional Sports.” Follow him on Twitter @YaronWeitzman.

Ric Bucher is an NBA author for FOX Sports. He beforehand wrote for Bleacher Report, ESPN The Magazine and The Washington Post and has written two books, “Rebound,” on NBA ahead Brian Grant’s battle with younger onset Parkinson’s, and “Yao: A Life In Two Worlds.” He additionally has a day by day podcast, “On The Ball with Ric Bucher.” Follow him on Twitter @RicBucher.

Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports. She beforehand lined the league for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the Bay Area News Group and the San Antonio Express-News. Follow her on Twitter @melissarohlin.

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