:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48434391/usa-today-8832329.0.jpg)
Christmas Day is finally here and as soon as you get done unwrapping your presents, the NBA will be waiting for you.
ABC and ESPN will combine to broadcast 14 hours of basketball today, including the marquee matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers at 2 p.m.
The Marquee Matchup
We've already been discussing the Warriors game for days, but just to recap:
- Listen to our podcast with Ryan Mourton of Fear the Sword in which we discuss the game, the 2015 NBA Finals, some key matchups, and talk a little trash.
- Harrison Barnes is doubtful, as expected, and Warriors coach Luke Walton says he'll be sticking with the same starting lineup.
- A quick look at the NBA standings as of Christmas Eve, including a focus on Oklahoma City Thunder and L.A. Clippers (more on them in a bit) as potential contenders.
- Watch a preview of the NBA's anti-gun violence ad featuring Stephen Curry that will air sometime today.
- Can you believe the cost of these tickets for today's game? Click here for our thoughts.
- Merry Christmas! Celebrate the day with this Warriors edition of the Twelve Days of Christmas!
Christmas Day overview
Anyway, there will be plenty of time today to get excited for the marquee matchup of the day. So let's quickly take a look at some notes on the other games.
- New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat: Former Warriors associate head coach Alvin Gentry will lead Anthony Davis and the Pelicans to Miami for a meeting with the Heat. Mike Prada of SB Nation did an excellent job of breaking down why the Pelicans have struggled, but I also want to note that it will be former Olympian Kara Lawson's first time broadcasting a ESPN NBA game — good to see some diversity in the booth.
- Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder: As Hugo Kitano described, the Thunder are definitely a threat to the Spurs and Warriors in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Bulls have turned into a mess and are apparently trying to trade everyone.
- San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets: Yeah, yeah — the Spurs are pretty good too, their bench might be better than some teams' starters, and they should scare us. In lighter news, The Dream Shake is wondering whether the Rockets can be fixed.
-
L.A. Clippers at L.A. Lakers: I can only express my feelings about these two teams in pictures.
OH. MY. GAWD. pic.twitter.com/k6Q07M6nJh
— Myles (@MylesInSF) November 20, 2015Sorry, Kobe. https://t.co/AeAYUdqXKg
— Bill Oram (@billoram) December 24, 2015Best of luck to both of them.
For far more on the day's events, check out Kelly Dwyer's in-depth preview of the day at Yahoo.
Full schedule
For the time zone challenged, the full broadcast schedule is below.
|
Time (PT) |
Game |
Commentators |
Network(s) |
|
9 a.m. |
New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat |
ESPN: Mark Jones, Kara Lawson, Israel Gutierrez |
ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN |
|
11 a.m. |
NBA Countdown Presented by Straight Talk Wireless |
Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins |
ABC, WatchESPN |
|
11:30 a.m. |
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma Thunder |
ABC: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Chris Broussard |
ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, WatchESPN |
|
2 p.m. |
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors |
ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Heather Cox |
ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, WatchESPN |
|
5 p.m. |
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets |
ESPN: Ryan Ruocco, P.J. Carlesimo, Cassidy Hubbarth |
ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN |
|
7:30 p.m. |
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers |
ESPN: Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, J.A. Adande |
ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN |
|
10 p.m. |
NBA Tonight |
Prim Siripipat, Amin Elhassan |
ESPN2, WatchESPN |
Which of those games other than the 2015 NBA Finals rematch are you most looking forward to? Vote in the poll below and discuss your choice in the comments!