By Kevin Perez  

As the holidays approach, this year will be mostly different in a vast spectrum: traveling, entertainment, and vacation plans. With the pandemic on sight, most gatherings if not all are canceled with celebrations as well. However, the one thing that is not changing on Christmas Day is sports.

There are not only basketball games scheduled for December but football too. The NFL would often try and avoid Christmas games only playing 21 since the league’s time. This year, there will be a game to play out on a virus-led Christmas — the first since 2017. 

On the contrary, for most of the NBA’s existence, the league has played on Christmas. This year is no different. The NBA has five games scheduled for the 25th this year. 

With an anticipated, sports-filled Christmas ahead, here are the upcoming Matchups by time: 

Heat vs Pelicans: The defending Eastern Conference Champions Miami Heat host Zion and the Pelicans at 12 noon EST time on ESPN. 

Bucks vs Warriors: Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounpo and his Bucks take on Stephen Curry and the Warriors at home at 2:30 pm EST on ABC. 

Saints vs Vikings: The New Orleans Saints host the Minnesota Vikings at home at 4:30 pm EST on Fox, games between these two teams never fail to disappoint. 

Celtics vs Nets: The Boston Celtics host Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s Nets at home at 5:00 pm EST on ABC. 

Lakers vs Mavericks: The defending champions Los Angeles Lakers host one of the NBA’s best young players in Luka Doncic and the Mavericks at 8:00 pm EST on ABC. 

Nuggets vs Clippers: The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 pm EST on ABC. The last time we saw these two teams in action against each other, the Denver Nuggets completed a 1-3 comeback against the Clippers in the 2020 Semifinals. 

The full slate of games provides very intriguing Matchups with some having some memorable past moments. Don’t miss them; they are set to unfold on the 25th after the noon breaks.