Ranking the NBA’s Most Intense Christmas OT Games of All-Time

The Christmas Day games in the NBA have been a tradition since 1947. Over the years, the league has witnessed incredible displays from superstars and teams on Christmas. It was no different this year with the reigning champions Denver Nuggets and other teams locking horns in five games. Interestingly, ahead of the game, superstar LeBron James made it clear his attention is on his family, when asked about the game against the Boston Celtics. The holiday season is indeed a time for celebration and family. But James’ remarks did not sit well with many as it looked like he lacked focus.

Ultimately, the 4x NBA champion had one of the poor performances this season, scoring 16 points in 37 minutes in the 126-115 loss to the Celtics. A few other stars also struggled among festivities including Stephen Curry. However, the games were mostly exciting. But it was nowhere near some of the most intense Christmas Day games. Today, let’s rank the best OT Christmas games in history.

#5 New York Knicks’ rivalry with the New Jersey Nets

The intense rivalry between the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets was in full swing in the 1980s. The Knicks and the Nets faced each other in four straight Christmases from 1981 to 1984. The Nets came out on top on three occasions. Notably, two of the four games went to overtime, and another game was decided by a single point, thanks to the fierce beef. After losing the game 96-95 on December 25, 1982, the Knicks were out for revenge in 1983.

The game was intense from the get-go as neither team gave an inch to the other. The scores were tied 21-21 in the first quarter and 28-28 in the third. The Nets had an upper hand in the second, scoring 29 to the Knicks’ 23. However, the Knicks turned it around in the fourth with 23-29. At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 101. The game went to the wire in the OT as well. However, the Nets stood firm and won the game 112-110. Given the intense battle and physicality, the Knicks had 31 fouls to the Nets’ 33.

The two teams faced off on Christmas the next year which also went to OT. Interestingly, the score was a repeat of the previous year of 112-110, however, in favor of the Knicks this time. After the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 25. The Knicks pulled away in the second scoring 34 to the Nets’ 23. However, the Nets mounted a comeback, and the game went to OT with the score tied at 102.

In the OT, the Knicks held their nerves and clinched the game with Bernard King’s help. The game was not short of fouls once again as the Knicks committed 31 and the Nets 32, as per Basketball Reference.

On Dec 25, 1984, the Nets clinched the win over their rivals. Even though the Knicks lost three of the four Christmas Day games, they had the bargaining rights by eliminating the Nets in the 1983 playoffs. This played a part in the rivalry as well.

#4 Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics 2018-19

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics played out a classic Christmas Day game during the 2018-19 season. Being in the same conference and with their history, the 76ers and the Celtics have a deep-rooted rivalry. The Celtics have come out victorious on most occasions. The beef was renewed during the 2017-18 season when they battled in the second round of the playoffs. Boston dominated the series and clinched it 4-1. Notably, it was also the Celtics who eliminated the Sixers in their previous playoff appearance in 2012 as well.

This added fuel to the fierce rivalry. So, the NBA made the most of it by matching them up on Dec 25, 2019, for the fans to witness and it was an instant hit. Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid wanted to avenge the team’s recent postseason heartbreak. However, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and the Celtics were ready and took an early 32-25 lead in the first quarter.

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After a close second quarter, the Sixers took the lead with an impressive third. The Celtics had to come back, and the game went to OT with 108 points apiece. In the OT, the Celtics pulled away behind Irving’s 40 points and 10 rebounds performance and clinched the game 121-114 in front of their fans. The two teams faced off in the playoffs the next year and the C’s once again came out on top. Notably, the Celtics broke the hearts of the Sixers in the postseason last year as well.

#3 New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls  1994-95

The Chicago Bulls had fierce rivalries with many teams during the era of Michael Jordan. One of their biggest challengers was the New York Knicks. From 1989 to 1993, the Bulls eliminated the Knicks four times in the playoffs. Notably, the Bulls broke the hearts of the Knicks fans by defeating them in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. As we know, after winning the title that year, Jordan announced his retirement. In the next year, the two teams faced off in the postseason once again, this time in the second round. Without MJ, the Bulls struggled but still managed to force the series to game 7. However, the Knicks finally overcame their adversaries and clinched the series.

The two teams were scheduled to play against each other on Dec 25, 1994. Jordan had not returned to the team yet. Also, the Knicks were confident after beating the Bulls last year and making the Finals. On the other hand, Scottie Pippen and Chicago were confident with the way they pushed the runners-up to game 7.

Even though Air Jordan didn’t play in the game, it was still an exciting matchup. Behind Patrick Ewing’s incredible performance, New York had a quick start. However, the Bulls crawled back in the second quarter. It was a game of cat and mouse which was tied at 100 points at the end of regulation. In the OT, the Bulls refused to budge and won the game 107-104.

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Pippen led both teams with 36 points and 16 rebounds while Toni Kukoc had an impressive 25 points off the bench. The bad blood between both clubs was evident as the Knicks committed 33 fouls to the Bulls’ 23. After MJ’s return, the Bulls would assert dominance over their rivals in the 1996 Conference Semi-Finals.

#2 Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers 2004-05

The Christmas Day matchup between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers took center stage because of the beef between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The two never saw eye to eye during their time in LA. Despite this, they led the team to three straight championships. However, things were still not great between the two. Notably, the two stars once had a fistfight.

After the three-peat, the Lakers lost in the second round in the next year. The finals loss against the Detroit Pistons followed in 2004. This put massive pressure on the team and both stars publicly called out each other and things were getting ugly. Amidst this, Shaq’s contract demand did not sit well with the franchise either. So, the front office decided to build their team around Kobe and O’Neal joined the Heat.

When fans found out Shaq would return to LA to face Bryant and the Lakers on Christmas Day 2004, the anticipation went through the roof. And it certainly lived up to its hype. At 34, O’Neal was not at his prime anymore. However, both stars were hell-bent on winning the game which led to a great spectacle for the fans.

The game had a flying start as both teams scored over 30 points in the first period. Both teams went toe to toe throughout the game and it finished at 94 apiece at the end of regulation. Bryant had 42 points in four quarters against his former teammate while Shaq had 24 points and 11 rebounds.

In OT, Kobe had a woeful time as he missed all three attempts. He also had 9 turnovers that game. On the other hand, Shaq did not play in OT. Behind O’Neal and Dwyane Wade’s spirited performance, the Heat clinched the game 104-102. After the game, Bryant and Shaq embraced each other as the fans cheered.

#1 New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics 1985-86

The New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics played out the last double-overtime Christmas Day game. The Knicks had a massive rivalry with the Celtics in the 80s. From 1967 to 1974, the two faced each other five times in the playoffs. Once in the first round and four times in the Conference Finals. While the Celtics clinched three, the Knicks won two. In the ECF, the teams won twice each. While the Knicks came out with one title during this period, the Celtics clinched four. Boston was certainly a roadblock to one of the best New York team’s championship aspirations.

So, whenever the two met, it was mostly a high-octane affair, and it continued in the next decade. Add Christmas to the mix, and the intensity went up several notches. And that was certainly the case on Dec 25, 1985. Notably, the Celtics beat the Knicks in the second round of the 1984 playoffs and went on to win the ring. With the wound still fresh, New York fans wanted revenge at home.

Boston were dominant and title contenders with their Big 3 of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. On the other hand, it was the beginning of a new era in New York with rookie sensation Patrick Ewing. At this point, the Celtics were 21-7 in the season while the Knicks were struggling with a record of 10-19. Despite this, there was a major hype, and the game lived up to its billing.

The Celtics started great and dominated the first half. However, the underdogs came back strong in the second and the game went to OT. The game was close and there was nothing to separate the two teams after the first OT. In the second OT, the Knicks pulled away and won the game 113-104 as the fans went wild. Ewing led both teams with 32 points, taking New York to the win. However, Bird and the Celtics lifted the NBA trophy that year.

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