Christmas Day

Christmas is the season of giving so what better way for the NBA to do that by giving us 5 games tomorrow! I am stoked! Though 2 of the games are pretty anti-climatic, who knows maybe a Christmas miracle could happen in the Bulls-Lakers game (doubt it). 2/5 of these games are horrendous match-ups and the CLE-MIA really isn't that good of game with how bad the HEAT are and with out Chris Bosh. The OKC-SA game will be worth a watch though Kevin Durant is not suppose to play, so that game drops a few ratings in my book. The best game to watch will be the late game between GS and the LA Clippers. This game will be the best of the day.

Washington Wizards at New York Knicks:

I don't even want to talk about this game, that is how bad it will be. The Knicks are bad and Washington is good. I expect a big scoring performance out of Melo, but a Knicks loss is for certain. The Wiz are just to good and play great defense to lose to a horrendous Knicks team. John Wall is going to have a hay day.

OKC Thunder at San Antonio Spurs:

Spurs win this one. No Durant for the Thunder and Tony Parker back for the Spurs, I'll expect a good game, but it will take an MVP like performance from Russell Westbrook for the Thunder to win this one in San Antonio. A win for the Spurs will get them back on track for a top 3 seed in the West after their recent 4 game losing streak.

Cleveland at Miami:

The most OVERRATED game of the NBA season. There is little to no hate for LeBron from the fans of Miami. They even are supposedly giving him a video tribute. This return is no-where close to when LeBron returned to Cleveland in his first season on the HEAT. He didn't leave the fans devastated and he did bring the city 2 more championships. There is really nothing for them to be mad at and that's why they aren't. The game itself isn't that good of a match-up to begin with. The HEAT have definitely struggled since the departure of LeBron, including a loss at home to Philly earlier in the week when they were up 23 at one point. That burns (pun intended). I expect the game to be very competitive with big runs to keep the game close, but in the end the Cavs are a much better overall team and will pull away in the 4th. As for LeBron, I don't expect anything above average because he doesn't have anything to prove. 

LA Lakers at Chicago Bulls

Do I dare say that if Kobe doesn't play the Lakers have a chance? It worked against Golden State, the NBA's best team. I don't think it will make a difference because the Bulls are playing well with a healthy Derrick Rose and a top defense, I expect we will have a 20 point blowout in Chicago. If Kobe plays, he'll get his 20, but tat wont be an easy 20. He'll take more than 20 shots and convert less than half. The Bulls can already chalk this one up as a win. 

Golden State Warriors at LA Clippers:

Same court, different team for the Warriors. The best game of the night! This game will be a playoff like game between two of the more entertaining teams to watch in the league. Golden State looking to bounce back after an ugly loss to the Kobe-less Lakers. The Steph Curry-Chris Paul battle will be enticing. I am going to go with the home team because the front court advantage for the Clippers will be the difference with the backcourt cancelling each other out.

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Merry Christmas!

Game 3

I honestly thought Game 3 was the worst performance the Miami HEAT had ever shown in the Big 3 era. I was so amazed by how badly they were getting beat in the first half that I couldn't even say a word every time the Spurs scored again, I just sat there in silence wondering if this was the NBA Finals Game 3 or a scrimmage of the Varsity against the Freshman "B" team. It was all bad, but of course the HEAT made a comeback to cut it to 7 points, 7! After letting a team shoot close to 90% and give up 41pts in the first quarter and being down 20+, they got it back to 7. I thought maybe when Lebron re-entered the game, the HEAT would make one last final push to make it a battle til the horn went off, but no, they ended up losing by 19. In the mix of all this, Kawhi Leonard had the game of his life, LITERALLY! He hadn't scored that many points in an organized game since High School.
As for the Heat, Lebron played like the 2011 Finals vs Dallas even though his numbers were ok, they weren't LEBRON like numbers. His 7 TO's were career high as well, basically canceling his assists.
Wade was Wade, an average game at best but nothing that stood out. He did lead that 3rd Quarter comeback that cut it to 7, but couldn't get any closer than that.
Bosh was basically just out there, not protecting the rim and not playing much offense, a mere 12 touches could say something about his 9PTs and 3 Rebounds.
Rashard Lewis actually played the best of anyone knocking down his 3's when he was asked to.
Mario Chalmers should be benched after his last 3 games. I hope and suspect he will have a big game in Game 4, big for him meaning 13-19 points, 2 3's and decent defense on Tony Parker.
The bench went missing in Game 3 but I believe they will have a breakout game in Game 4, somebody is bound to go off.
Let's see what happens Thursday night in South Beach!
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