NBA Christmas Games Breakdown and Predictions

Today there will be five NBA games being played and broadcasted on TV today. The  Boston Celtics vs. the Toronto Raptors tip-off the NBA Christmas games at 12 noon ET. Next, the Milwaukee Bucks will play the Philadelphia 76ers at 2:30 PM ET. Houston Rockets will play the Golden State Warriors at 6 PM ET. The battle of the West will be played at 8 PM ET between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers. The final game will be between the New Orleans Pelicans vs the Denver Nuggets at 10:30 PM.

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors
Both teams are playing well above expectations thus far this season. Everyone thought the Raptors would take several steps backward, once Kawhi left LA in the summer for free agency. People also thought the Celtics would take a step back when Kyrie Irving left for Brooklyn in the summer for free agency.

But with the addition of Kemba Walker in free agency, the Celtics looks stronger than they did with Kyrie Irving. Jayson Tatum turned back to the star we saw when Kyrie Irving & Gordon Hayward went down with injuries and took LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals. Jayson Tatum is currently averaging 21.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game this season. Kemba Walker is averaging 22.6 points per game and 5.4 assists per game this season.

On the other side, Pascal Siakam continues to show the world last season was not a fluke. Siakam has even improved his numbers from last year. He currently averages 25.1 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, and one block per game. Kyle Lowry is also averaging 20.7 points per game and 7.6 assists per game.

However, the Toronto Raptors don't have Marc Gasol today who is still recovering from a left hamstring injury. My predictions are the Boston Celtics will continue their win streak to four straight as they beat the Toronto Raptors 100-90.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

This game will be the battle of the East today, both teams were projected to be in the Eastern Conference Finals this year before the season started. The Bucks have lived up to those predictions, however, the 76ers have not.

The Philadelphia 76ers are still trying to figure out the chemistry with new players being added in the offseason such as Josh Richardson, Al Horford, and rookie Matisse Thybulle.

Ben Simmons is still afraid to shoot three-point shots or a jump shot at all, which has had teams play a 2-3 zone, yes you read that right teams are playing 2-3 zone in the NBA. Ben Simmons currently is averaging 14.4 points per game, 8.5 assists per game, and 7 rebounds per game this season.

Joel Embiid is still being consistent, he currently averages 23 points per game, 12.6 rebounds per game,  and 1.4 blocks per game this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has shown he has been in the lab this summer perfecting his craft, he currently is shooting 34 percent from the three-point line. Giannis currently averages 31.0 points per game, 12.9 rebounds per game, and 5.6 assists per game this season. Khris Middleton currently averages 18 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game. Milwaukee has one of the deepest bench scoring-wise in the NBA they average an eighth best with 41.9 points per game.

My prediction is the Philadelphia 76ers will beat the Milwaukee Bucks 110-101.

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors

There isn't that much to say here a talented Houston Rockets plays against a banged-up Golden State Warriors teams.

This might be the time to pop in a Christmas movie to watch with the family to kill time. James Harden and Russell Westbrook will give the Warriors guards nightmares tonight. James Harden averages 38.6 points per game and 7.4 assists per game this season. Russell Westbrook averages 23.9 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, 7.2 assists per game this season.

Surprisingly the Golden State Warriors are on a two-game win streak but it ends tonight. D'Angelo Russell averages 22.4 points per game and 6.2 assists per game. Rookie Eric Paschall has been a pleasant surprise for the Warriors, he currently averages 15.2 points per gamed 4.8 rebounds per game this season. Alec Burks has averaged 15.9 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Houston Rockets will beat the Golden State Warriors 117-90.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Both teams players and fans have had this date marked on their calendar since the 2019-20 NBA schedule was released.

This is the battle of the West game. This is a statement game for both teams tonight.

LeBron James, Anthony Davis wants to show the Clippers they still run LA. Clippers want to show the NBA they're the team to beat in the West if you want to make it to the NBA Finals.

LeBron James and Anthony are banged up but they're expected to play tonight.

LeBron James averages 25.8 points per game, 10.6 assists per game, and 7.5 rebounds per game this season. Anthony Davis averages 27.9 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game, and 2.7 blocks per game this season.

Kawhi Leonard averages 25.5 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game,  5.1 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game this season. Paul George averages 24.2 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and 1.8 steals per game this season. Lou Williams averages 19.5 points per game and 6.1 assists per game this season. Montrezl Harrell averages 19 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 1.2 blocks per game this season. Also, you can't forget about Patrick Beverley who averages 7.9 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, and 1.4 steals per game this season. Patrick Beverley is the heart and soul of the Clippers defense he irritates the opposing team's top scorers each game.

The Clippers bench averages 51.3 points per game which is a league-best, whereas the Lakers bench averages 34.3 points per game.

My prediction is the Clippers will beat the Lakers 107-101.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets

This game might have held some weight if Zion Williams was playing but unfortunately, he isn't. Honestly, this game wouldn't have been close game even if Zion was playing the Nuggets are just too strong.

Jamal Murray averages 17.8 points per game this season. Nikola Jokic averaged 17.4 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, 6.9 assists per game, and 1 steal per game this season. Will Barton averages 14.6 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game this season. Paul Millsap averages 12.9 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game this season. Gary Harris averages 11.2 points per game this season. Jerami Grant averages 9.6 points per game this season.

Brandon Ingram one of the few bright spots for the Pelicans this season averages 25 points per game, and 7.1 rebounds per game this season. Another bright spot for the Pelicans is Jrue Holiday, he averages 19.7 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, and 1.7 steals per game this season. JJ Redick averages 15.9 points per game this season. Josh Hart averages 11.1 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game and 1 steal per game this season.

New Orleans Pelicans bench averages 36.9 points per game. Denver Nuggets bench averages 34.8 points per game.

Denver Nuggets will beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-102.

Toronto Raptors Shock the World by Winning Their First NBA Title

 Toronto Raptors handled business last night by winning game six 114-110, to win their first NBA Championship in franchise history.

First KD went down, then Klay Thompson went down with a knee injury late in the third quarter of game six, that later ended up being announced as a torn ACL. Despite all the injuries, the Warriors still fought, but it wasn’t enough Toronto Raptors was hungry for a championship.

Kawhi carries the team throughout the playoffs, but last night it Kyle Lowry who carried the Raptors in a closeout game. After being mocked for years about choking in the playoffs. Kyle showed Philly toughness and showed up where it mattered the most finishing with 26 points, ten assists, and seven rebounds.

Fred VanVleet was another key contributor in the Raptors winning in game six, finishing with 22 points, after hitting clutch three after three to take the life out of the Golden State Warriors.

Pascal Siakam has another clutch performance in one of the biggest games of his career thus far. Siakam finished with 26 points and ten rebounds. He was dominant in the paint and was getting any shot he wanted in the paint.

Serge Ibaka came off the bench and score 15 crucial points.

Kawhi Leonard, 2019 NBA Finals MVP, finished with 22 points and six rebounds.

Golden State missed nine three throws in this game and surprisingly only lost by four. Free throws could have helped them force a game seven, even with all the injuries that happened to them.

Steph Curry missed a game-winning three, he struggled shooting 3 for 11 behind the arc, but nonetheless still finished with 21 points.

Before Klay Thompson, went down with a knee injury, from a dunk attempt, that leads to getting fouled by Danny Green, he was shooting lights out. Klay Thompson ended with 30 points.

Draymond Green had another superb all-around game, finishing with 11 points, 19 rebounds, and 13 assists.

Andre Iguodala stepped up this game finishing with 22 points.

DeMarcus Cousins finished with 12 points off the bench.

With the offseason coming up, we will soon see if in fact will the Golden State Warriors dynasty break up.

We already know it’s a strong possibility Kevin Durant will sign a lucrative contract elsewhere in free agency.

After Klay Thompson, didn’t make any All NBA Team, which makes him ineligible for the super max deal, could he look to play elsewhere and have his own team? Only time will tell.

Will other GM’s start to be more aggressive to create for a championship contender roster, even it means trading one of their best players for it to happen?

Masai Ujiri made a gutsy call trading away Kawhi and firing Dwayne Casey, but it leads to an NBA Championship who can argue with those results.

We will soon what move Ujiri will make this offseason for the Toronto Raptors. They will need to do everything in their power, to retain Kawhi Leonard and sign him to a long term max deal.

Toronto Raptors vs. the Golden State Warriors 2019 NBA Finals Preview

Tonight will start game one of the 2019 NBA Finals between Toronto Raptors vs the Golden State Warriors.

This might end up being one of the most lopsided NBA Finals were about to watch.

Toronto Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard averaged 31 points and 8 rebounds throughout the playoffs, but will he be able to match that performance when he will more than likely have to chase Steph Curry around screens. Also, Golden State has a plethora of defenders to guard Kawhi, such as Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and possibly Kevin Durant if he plays.

A key factor to the Raptors even making this a respectable series, is which Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol will show up? Both players have been up and down throughout the playoffs, but as of late have shown up in big moments. If they don’t get star struck and show up this s could possibly be an interesting series.

Also, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell must play well as they did in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Basically, the Toronto Raptors team has to play perfectly in order to have a shot of beating the Golden State Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors come into the NBA Finals banged up, but that really hasn’t affected them throughout the playoffs. There’s a reason why this team has gone to five straight Finals, they have gone through each adversity and persevered through it. 

There are rumors that DeMarcus Cousins will play tonight in game one, if that’s true it could be a long series for the Toronto Raptors. 

Steph Curry has been averaging 27 points per game, six rebounds per game, and five assists per game.

Klay Thompson has averaged 19 points per game and 1.5 steals per game.

Kevin Durant who’s still questionable to play in the finals is averaging 34 points per game.

I have the Golden State Warriors winning 4-1 against the Toronto Raptors. Comment below or mention us on Twitter @blogaccess1on1, to let us know who you think will win the 2019 NBA Finals. 

Toronto Raptors Regains Home Court Advantage and Evens Series 2-2

Last night, was a must win for the Toronto Raptors, if they fell down 3-1 to the Philadelphia 76ers, they knew the series would be pretty much over.

Kyle Lowry actually showed up in the playoffs, he scored seven of his 14 total points on the first quarter. Lowry finally gave Kawhi the help he needed.

The Sixers, however were able to fight back in the first quarter to cut an 11 point lead to be only down 24-21 to end the first quarter, due to the contributions of Jimmy Butler and James Ennis III.

The Raptors and Sixers were going blow for blow in the second quarter, which lead to the Sixers being up 47-45, with a clutch three by Jimmy Butler to end the half.

Kawhi left his mark on the game as he usually does.

The third quarter, was nonetheless different from the second quarter, each team went shot for shot, Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol, Paschal Siakam lead the push in the third for the Raptors, whereas Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, JJ Redick, and James Ennis III lead the push for the Sixers in the third quarter. Raptors-Sixers were tied 75-75 to end the third quarter.

Jimmy Butler scored the first few points in the fourth quarter from free throws. Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol answered back with a jump shot and layup of their own to give the Raptors the lead 81-79 with 10:16 left in the fourth quarter. Both teams went back and forth exchanging the lead until Kawhi Leonard hit a clutch three over Joel Embiid and JJ Redick with the shot clock winding down, to give the Toronto Raptors a 94-90 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers with one minute left. That shot sealed the game and the Sixers could never regain composure.

Toronto went on to beat the Sixers 101-96 to even the series 2-2, the series will resume Tuesday in Toronto.

Kawhi Leonard finished with an astonishing 39 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. Marc Gasol finished with 16 points. Kyle Lowry finished with 14 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Danny Green finished 11 points. Serge Ibaka finished with 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Jimmy Butler put the Sixers on his back again, finishing with 29 points and 11 rebounds. JJ Redick finished with 19 points. Tobias finished with 16 points and six rebounds, even though it looked like he was building a house with all the bricks he put up yesterday shooting 7 for 23 from the field. Ben Simmons finished with ten points. James Ennis III finished with nine points off the bench.

Sixers Survive to even Series 1-1

Sixers started off the game strong, which lead to a commanding 16 point lead in the second quarter. However, due to turnovers late in the second quarter, by Greg Monroe and Ben Simmons. Danny Green hit a late three in the second quarter which cut the Sixers lead to 13, the Philadelphia 76ers lead 51-38 at halftime.

In the second half, the Toronto Raptors were the team that started off strong, Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam lead the Raptors on a 25-18 run. This lead to the Sixers leading 69-63 at the end of the third quarter.

Sixers withheld every run Toronto, tried to make, Kyle Lowry hit back to back threes midway through the fourth quarter, to cut the Sixers lead to three 90-87. Tobias Harris sealed the game with two clutch free throws to give the Sixers a much-needed win, with a final score 94-89. The Philadelphia 76ers even the series with the Toronto Raptors 1-1. The series will resume in Philly Thursday night.

Jimmy Butler carried the team with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Joel Embiid had 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists while playing sick. JJ Redick finally found his rhythm game two and scored 11 points. Tobias Harris had nine points and 11 rebounds. Ben Simmons filled the stat sheet with six points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Sixers bench contributed 26 points, with the help of Greg Monroe, James Ennis, and Jonah Bolden.

Kawhi Leonard had another stellar performance with 35 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Paschal Siakam had another sleeper game finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Kyle Lowry had 20 points. Marc Gasol had a disappointing game with 5 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Danny Green also had a disappointing game with 3 points. The Raptors bench only contributed five points.

Memphis Grizzlies Holds off Kawhi Leonard's Playoff Career Night and Evens the Series 2-2

Kawhi Leonard was playing like a man possessed out there on the court last night. Kawhi could do no wrong last night. The only mistake he made last night was missing a jumper at the end of regulation that forced the game to overtime.

Kawhi scored San Antonio Spurs last 16 points in the fourth quarter.

But, every time Kawhi tried to take the heart out of the Memphis Grizzlies, Mike Conley answered back with a basket of his own.

It looked like Conley & Leonard were in a one on one battle, and the rest of players were out there for the show.

Kawhi Leonard finished with a playoff career-high 43 points, eight rebounds, and six steals.

Although Kawhi was the standout player for the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker contributed with 22 points, five assists, and four rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 13 points. Pau Gasol gave the Spurs bench production; he finished with eight points and 13 rebounds.

Mike Conley who was the standout player for the Memphis Grizzlies last night, he finished with 35 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The Grizzlies also had others contribute in the game four win. Zach Randolph finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Marc Gasol finished 16 points and 12 rebounds. Marc Gasol also hit the game-winning shot to even the series at 2-2. Vince Carter finished with 13 points. JaMychal Green finished with 14 points off the bench. Aaron Harrison finished with seven points off the bench, along with a game-saving block.

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime.

Game five will take place on Tuesday, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Follow my Twitter and Instagram account @blogaccess1on1 for updated sports news.