A couple of great games in the early Christmas Day action. Giannis returned after being out 10 days due to health and safety protocols and rallied the Bucks back from a 19 point hole against the Celtics. Milwaukee was down all game until Wes Matthews hit a clutch three to give them a 114-113 lead and from there, Giannis got a clutch block on a Robert Williams dunk attempt to seal it. With the win, Milwaukee's winning streak improves to three and they are 6-4 in their last ten games. The defending champs proved they are still the team to beat in the East and when they are healthy, they are deep and dangerous.
For the Celtics on the other hand, this was a disappointing loss for them because they played very well throughout this game. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 25 and the Celtics got great guard play from Marcus Smart and Payton Pritchard. Ever since the 2018-19 season, there has seemed to be an issue with the Celtics that the people upstairs can't seem to solve. They hired a new coach and Ime Udoka but they do not have a winning record despite having two of the best young wing talents in the game and quality players like Rob Williams, Pritchard, and Smart. They may have to consider ending the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown experiment and hand over the keys to the franchise to one of the two young stars.
It was the third installment of Suns/Warriors and it was another thrilling finish. W/o Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Klay, and James Wiseman, Steph had his best career showing on Christmas Day after struggling in his previous games on Christmas. He scored 33 points in a game that was close the whole way through. Gary Payton II hit timely threes throughout and in the fourth, Otto Porter helped put the game away with clutch buckets. The Warriors now hold the first seed in the Western Conference despite being without Klay Thompson and other important pieces. This game against the Suns was the first time in Steph's legendary career he has scored 20 or more points on Christmas. Chris Paul scored 21 points for the Suns and Devin Booker had a rare off night with just 13 points.
Phoenix against Golden State would make for a great playoff series as both teams are coached very well and have stars that are surrounded by great supporting casts. Golden State has now taken two out of three matchups in the regular season.