No one has played more games or scored more points on Dec. 25 than LeBron James. It’s been two full decades since he wasn’t part of the NBA’s holiday plans. Perhaps we can measure the passage of time by LeBron’s Christmas appearances — from the grinding 2003 classic with Tracy McGrady to the sleeved jersey era and those seasonal script fonts to today’s embrace as a shooting-sleeved elder statesman. We now get another must-watch Christmas appearance with LeBron facing off against the great Stephen Curry. Let’s enjoy these moments, basketball fans.
How to watch Lakers vs. Warriors
Gift-wrapped good stuff: Look, just because we seem to get this same gift every year doesn’t mean it isn’t awesome. James may be a step slower than his usual transcendence…because he is about to turn 40 years old and has played what feels like three lifetimes of televised basketball. But he’s not done yet. After a dispiriting stretch a few weeks ago, he’s putting up 27.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists across his last six games.
The same goes for Steph, whom we should never grow tired of watching. It would certainly be cool to see Curry locked in for this one, as he’s been uncharacteristically quiet in 10 career Christmas games (averaging less than 16 points on beguiling 31.7 percent shooting).
Stocking stuffers: Dennis Schröder has some funny history with Wednesday’s headliners. He, James and Anthony Davis have a cool (and hilarious) game-winning moment together. He was also ejected for going at Draymond Green in a postseason game two years ago. Schröder arrives at a crucial time for Golden State, which has lost 10 of its last 13 contests.
The betting angle: The Lakers are 6-10 against the spread on the road.
Best Christmas moments
- 2008: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Lakers snapped the rival Celtics’ 18-game win streak in a dramatic Finals rematch. Bryant led all scorers with 27 points.
- 2013: in one of the dynasty’s first signature moments on the national stage, Golden State topped the “Lob City” Clippers on the strength of Harrison Barnes’ late free throws and Klay Thompson’s game-saving block of Chris Paul.
Lakers vs. Warriors odds
Starting five of players to wear each jersey (minimum 50 games played):
- G — Derek Fisher
- G — Cazzie Russell
- F — Jamaal Wilkes
- F — Rudy LaRusso
- C — Wilt Chamberlain
(Photo by Ethan Miller / Getty Images)