The NBA Christmas Day was one reason why the league decided to open the 2020-21 season this month--to gift its fans with exciting games right on Christmas Day.
Here's a recap of who won and who lost.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat
Miami Heat showed how to get things done after pummeling the New Orleans Pelicans, 111-98. Heats' Duncan Robinson was the Santa Claus in mission after unleashing 23 points. Robinson broke the past record of Pelicans' Brandon Ingram for most three-pointers during the NBA Christmas Day after dropping seven treys out of 13 attempts.
Jimmy Butler exited during the start of the second-half following a sore right ankle. Robinson was all over the place, and he just kept shooting triples and piled up points for the Heat.
One-time All-Star Brandon Ingram scored 28 markers in a losing effort while Christmas game debutant Zion Williamson added 25 points.
Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
NBA Christmas Day was not for the Golden State Warriors as they suffered their second-game nightmare at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, 138-99. The Warriors have yet to recover from the blowout curse in their first game delivered by the Brooklyn Nets, 125-99.
Khris Middleton lifted the Bucks with 31 points, five assists, and four rebounds for their first win of the season.
2020 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a 15-point and 13-rebound double-double.
The Warriors could not muster enough markers to edge the Bucks. The Dubs only sank ten three-pointers out of 45, with only 34 shots dropped out of 99 field goals.
Despite another disappointing defeat, Stephen Curry chalked in 19 points, six dimes, and four rebounds. He now bested Rick Barry for the franchise's all-time scoring list, with Wilt Chamberlain on top.
No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman contributed 18 points for the Warriors, including his surprising 75 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics
The Brooklyn Nets were looking much better following another lopsided win, this time against the Boston Celtics, 123-95. Returnees Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant had another night to remember after finishing with 37 points and 29 points, respectively. Caris LeVert produced another double-digit points with 10.
The Boston Celtics outscored Nets in the second frame, 32- 25, the lone quarter that they owned. When Brooklyn led in the fourth quarter, 95-79, with less than 10 minutes in the game, the Celtics knew that they are already finished for good.
With Durant on the bench, the Nets continued their hot scoring streak for their second blowout win of the season.
Spencer Dinwiddie went to the locker room after colliding with Celtics' Tristan Thompson at the end of the first quarter. Young All-Star players Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum combined for 47 points.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
After a loss to the Clippers, the Lakers overthrew the Mavericks, 138-115, during the NBA Christmas day. Anthony Davis led the team scoring with 28 points, while LeBron James capped a 22-marker and 10-assist double-double. Montrezl Harrel continued his well-rounded game from the bench with 22 points in 10-out-of 13 shooting. Two other players scored in double figures while the Lakers were shooting 56 percent from the field.
The Lakers relied on 13-of-39 shooting from the outside, and Dallas had no answers from the field.
The Mavericks closed the game with six players scoring double figures, bannered by European All-Star Luka Doncic with 27. The Lakers are now 1-1 in the regular season while the Mavericks hold an 0-2 card.
LeBron broke Oscar Robertson's Christmas Day record of 377, rewarding him the second-highest scorer to do so. He now has 380 points, with only 16 points behind Kobe Bryant's 395 points.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets
The Clippers were on a revenge trip during the NBA Christmas day after ripping the Denver Nuggets, 121-108. It was a sweet retaliation from the Clippers, wherein they contained the intensity with the dramatic exit of All-Star Kawhi Leonard. He suffered an accidental collision with his teammate Sergei Ibaka.
Leonard accumulated 21 points before leaving in the fourth frame, while Paul George had 23 points and nine assists.
The Clippers were unstoppable from the three-point line, dropping 12 threes in the first half only.
With 2:24 left in the game, Jamal Murray sank a corner trey, but it was not enough as the Nuggets trailed behind, 116-105.
Nikola Jokic notched a near triple-double of 24 points, ten assists, and nine boards, while Murray put up 23 points, five rebounds, and three dimes.
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