NBA Schedule Release: Predicting the 2022 Christmas Day slate

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Philadelphia 76ers James Harden (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports) /

Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks – 12:00 p.m. ET

I honestly was torn on who I believed the NBA would want to slot here against the New York Knicks in the first matchup on Christmas Day. Ultimately, I believe I may end up being a decision between the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.

And recent history would probably suggest that it would be the Sixers and not the Heat in this spot. The Sixers have the more national spotlight and they make sense to face off against New York.

The upstart Knicks, perhaps with Donovan Mitchell (?), will be looking to staple themselves as a possible dark horse contender in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers, hopefully healthy, will be looking to gain some credibility after they’ve continued to fall short year after year.

The Sixers and Knicks just feel right for a Christmas Day game.