In addition to friends and family coming over, Christmas trees and eggnog, opening presents and roasted chestnuts (does anyone actually do that anymore?), its also become a tradition to watch the NBA games on Christmas day.

The league has shown games on network television for as long as I can remember. If we recall correctly, the schedule used to be just two games but in the last decade or so, the NBA has doubled down on their holiday TV schedule.

NBA Christmas Day TV schedule 2018

What hasn’t changed is our expectations of what will be on the TV come Christmas day.

What American pro basketball fans have come to expect to witness is a combination of the best teams, the leagues most popular players, sometimes its best rivalries, as well as teams that play in the largest markets — more on that later.

In any case, that mix of good and great are represented again this season. This is the TV schedule for NBA Basketball on Tuesday, December 25, 2018. The games start at 9 AM Pacific / noon Eastern.

There are five Christmas day NBA games — two of the less-interesting teams are starting and ending on ESPN with the three headliner games between. Those three prime time games are being broadcast on ABC which is also serves as the kick off games for the network’s NBA schedule.

You must have been really nice in 2018. Your stocking is full of great games.

Game 1: The Milwaukee Bucks at the New York Knicks (9AM/Noon, ESPN) Who knew that the Knicks and Bucks had drama and storyline? The two teams couldn’t be on opposite sides of the spectrum with the Bucks one of the top teams in the East and the Knicks… not even close. In the two team’s last game, the Knicks’ Mario Hezonja dunked on a fast break as Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to block it from behind. The Greek Freak lost his balance in the process and Hezonja took the opportunity to walk over him a la Allen Iverson over Ty Lue.

the MVP candidate Antetokounmpo stated that he wasn’t cool with the disrespecting saying: “I’m going to punch him in the [groin] next time.” the real question is — will Hezonja even play in the game?  Look for Antetokounmpo to have a big game.

Game 2: The Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (12PM/3PM, ABC) The Thunder’s dynamic duo Russell Westbrook and Paul George take on the Rockets’ Big Two in Chris Paul and James Harden. In this game, the tables have flipped with the Thunder currently sitting at #2 in the West while the disappointing Rockets are struggling to stay at .500.

Game 3: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics  (2:30PM/5:30PM, ABC) This is one of the more exciting games on the slate with the Jimmy Butler, joining a rejuvenated Sixers squad anchored by the up-and-coming Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons The Celtics started out slow, but have found momentum as of late with Kyrie Irving stepping up and Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford finding their rhythm.

Game 4: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (5PM/8PM, ABC and ESPN) Even with LeBron James on the Lakers, you just knew the schedule makers would have him (along with Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and JaVale McGee) face off against the defending champions in Golden State with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompsons.

Game 5: Portland Blazers at Utah Jazz (7:30/12:30, ESPN) Two underrated teams led by two underrated players in Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard. This is by far the least exciting game on the schedule, but the NBA can be unpredictable in that this could be the game of the night. It just won’t have the draw or star power of the previous four games.

NBA Christmas Tradition: TV Schedule and Christmas Jerseys

As with previous years, this year’s schedule includes a special treat for fans. Teams participating on Xmas will wear special Christmas day uniforms but only the teams that qualified for the 2018 NBA playoffs. Learn more about the holiday Earned Edition uniforms and tune in December 25th to catch Lebron, CP3, Giannis, Steph Curry, PG, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie, Durant, James Harden and the NBA