NBA Analyst Predicts the Los Angeles Lakers Will Match up With the Warriors During the Christmas Day Games

As the next season’s commencement date comes closer, fans and analysts continue to speculate about the matchups. Will it be an NBA Finals rematch- Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers? Will we watch the Denver Nuggets defeat the LA Clippers once again? Or will it be the team who didn’t perform up to the mark because their superstars were injured- Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors?

Initially, this 72-game season received plenty of resistance, as it meant that teams that had to play till the last few weeks in the Bubble were going to get lesser time to rest and prepare for the upcoming season. On the other hand, teams that didn’t make it to the playoffs got more than 200 days for themselves.

However, now that the dates have been fixed, the talk about matchups is rising. In a similar vein, Brian Windhorst has an interesting matchup idea.

Who will the Los Angeles Lakers play against?

On ESPN’s ‘The Jump’ Podcast, Jorge Sedano pitched the Lakers vs Miami Heat and the Warriors vs. Nets. Although Brian predicted another matchup altogether. He was asked whether he sees Jorge’s predictions coming alive.

“Well, here we go again with me having to be Scrooge and having to bring the realist. I think those are fun matchups, Jorge. But that necessitates two teams going coast to coast in the first week of the season. The NBA is looking to reduce travel by 25% or more this year. So, I think they’re gonna try to keep teams local, especially on Christmas.” explained Brian.

“Now yes, as you mentioned Rachel, there’s going to be ring night, which will be on TNT, and then there’s going to be Christmas Day games, which will be on ABC and ESPN. I’m sure there’s having negotiations with our bosses and bosses over in turn to figure that out. But I think that the game that you will see as the centerpiece game will be Warriors and Lakers.”

Could the Lakers face the Warriors on Christmas Day?

“The reason that is because not only do you bring Steph Curry and Klay Thompson back, the international audience has not seen in a while. But also you’re gonna have, unless the Warriors make a big trade, the top three picks in this draft to be displayed possibly in this first game. It could be James Wiseman’s first game, in addition to the defending champion Lakers. That’s a delicious matchup,” stated Brian.

“Having a five o’clock which is two o’clock on the west coast. I’m not saying I don’t like Lakers-Heat, Jorge but I think it’s more likely the West Coast team stays out here.”

What do you think about these predicted matchups? Or is there any other team you would like to see play on Christmas?