Getty Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
The NBA has once again stuffed five high-profile games into Christmas Day.
All NBA Christmas Day games will be broadcast on either ESPN or ABC. If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can watch a live stream of all the games on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
In addition to their extensive Netflix-like streaming library, Hulu now also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including both ABC (available live in select markets, which you can find here) and ESPN. You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of all the games on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet, or streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
PlayStation Vue offers four different channel packages, all of which include ABC (available live in select markets, which you can find here) and ESPN. You can sign up for a free five-day trial right here (you don’t need to have PlayStation to sign up), and you can then watch a live stream of the games on your computer via the PS Vue website, or on your phone, tablet, or streaming device via the PS Vue app.
If you can’t watch live, PlayStation Vue comes with cloud DVR, but there are some restrictions.
ESPN Platforms
Additionally, you can watch a live stream of the games on your computer via ESPN.com, or on your phone, tablet, or streaming device via the ESPN app. For the games on ESPN, you’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but for the games on ABC, you’ll only need to be logged into a participating Internet Service Provider (ISP).
You can also just sign up for one of the above options and then use your Hulu or PS Vue credentials to sign in and watch the games on the ESPN digital platforms.
Knicks vs Bucks Preview
The New York Knicks (9-25, 14th in the Eastern Conference) and the Milwaukee Bucks (22-10, second in the East) will kick the Christmas festivities off when they meet in Madison Square Garden at noon ET.
The last time these teams met, the Knicks pulled off an overtime upset, punctuated by Mario Hezonja’s staring down and stepping over Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Bucks superstar couldn’t chase down the Knicks forward’s dunk attempt.
“Honestly, if you’re afraid, this is not for you,” Hezonja said after the win, according to the Associated Press. “I don’t want to be disrespectful but if you feel fear, this is not the place for you. New York Is not a place for you and this team is not a place for you.”
Antetokounmpo told reporters, “I’m going to punch him in the (groin) next time.” He’s since apologized for the comment.
Rockets vs Thunder Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder (21-11, third in the Western Conference) will visit the Houston Rockets (17-15, eighth in the West) at 3 p.m. ET for the second game of the day.
The Rockets will be without Chris Paul, who’s dealing with a hamstring injury. They’d lost all five of their games without Paul this season before beating the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, 108-101.
“Everyone needs to step up, because we don’t have a choice,” big man Clint Capela said, according to the Houston Chronicle. “We got a lot of things to work (on), because Chris is going to be out for a little while, so we’re all going to have to step up. The next game is going to be a tougher game, so we’re going to have to be ready.”
Celtics vs 76ers Preview
For Christmas’ third NBA meeting, Atlantic Division rivals the Boston Celtics (19-13, fifth in the East) and the Philadelphia 76ers (22-12, fourth in the East) will meet at 5:30 p.m. ET in Boston’s TD Garden.
Al Horford returned to play 19 minutes in Boston’s 119-103 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday after a knee injury kept him out for seven games.
“I’m just happy that I was able to go out there and play with a lot of energy,” Horford said, per the Associated Press. “It’s just good to be back. Sitting on the sidelines is tough, not being able to be on the court and help the guys.”
Lakers vs Warriors Preview
For the fourth year in a row, and for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers (19-14, fourth in the West), LeBron James will go up against the Golden State Warriors (23-11, second in the West) on Christmas. The matchup at Oracle Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The Warriors have won eight of their last 10. Their last time out, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant combined for 77 points in a 129-127 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
“That’s just who they are,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, according to the Associated Press. “They’re aggressive, they’re talented, and they both had just incredible moments during that game where they each took over.”
Jazz vs Trail Blazers Preview
The Utah Jazz (16-18, 11th in the West) will welcome the Portland Trail Blazers (19-14, fifth in the West) to Vivint Smart Home Arena at 10:30 p.m. to close out the day’s games.
Utah had a chance to tie their Saturday tilt with the Thunder when Donovan Mitchell drew a shooting foul with 1.5 seconds left. But he missed the first shot, then accidentally made the second as the Jazz fell 107-106.
“Just missed the free throw,” Mitchell told the Deseret News. “There’s no other way around it. That can’t happen. I thought it was in. Just in-and-out. That’s all I got.”