In honor of the Christmas spirit, let's take a look back at the best Christmas Performances of All-Time.
Photo By: Jason Miller (Getty Images North America)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The NBA has long dominated the Christmas Day slate with a bunch of competitive games between contenders and stars. This year, we have guys like LeBron vs. Luka, Giannis and the Bucks vs. Tatum and the Celtics, and the Suns vs. the Nuggets. So while we open gifts and have hot chocolate, the NBA will give us a great day of basketball. Over the years there have been some legendary Christmas Day games. So let's get to some of the best of All-Time.
3. Heat vs. Lakers (2004)
Context is needed for those youngins to know how legendary this matchup was. This was Shaquille O'Neal's first game against the Lakers since the trade away to Miami. Kobe and Shaq had a long-standing feud, even after winning 3 straight championships. When Shaq returned to Los Angeles in 2004, they faced off on Christmas Day, and the game wasn't disappointing. The game actually required an overtime period to determine a winner. Bryant scored 42 points overall but was unable to make the crucial 3-pointer that may have won the contest. Shaq and Dwyane Wade, on the other hand, each recorded double-doubles. Big Diesel scored 24 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Wade scored 29 points and handed out 10 assists. Truly one of the greats. Heat won the game 104-102 in OT.
2. Heat vs. Lakers (2010)
This was truly a superstar contest for the ages back in 2010. LeBron James and the newly formed Heatles with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh faced off against Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. With stars like Kanye West and Snoop Dogg sitting courtside, Wade and Kobe were engaged in a personal battle, which put Miami's offensive game in the King's hands. The King took the challenge and finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Until then, it had been Christmas Day's fourth Triple Double. Despite the Heat's easy 96–80 victory, all basketball fans will remember the intense rivalry between these three NBA legends.
1. Warriors vs. Cavaliers (2016)
The Cavaliers had just won a historic NBA championship after rallying from a 3-1 deficit against the Warriors. With the stakes so high during the holidays, none of the teams wanted to give up. The Warriors had just signed free agent Kevin Durant in order to reclaim their glory. This allowed KD, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to be stars all over the court. Despite trailing by double digits early in the fourth quarter, James and Irving orchestrated a rally to lift the Cavs over the Warriors. In an instant NBA Christmas classic, James had 31 points and 13 rebounds, while Irving had 25 points, 10 assists, and the game-winning fadeaway. Durant paced the court.
Honorable Mentions: Celtics/Bucks (2021), Rockets/Magic (1995), and Warriors/Clippers (2013).
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