NBA: Ranking all 5 Christmas Day showdowns, headlined by Bucks-Celtics

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter. Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter. Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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New York Knicks
New York Knicks (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

No. 5: Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks 

This is approximately the Knicks’ 6,000th time to play on Christmas; okay not really but it feels like it. The Knicks have played the most games among all teams on the holiday and they do not even hold the record for the most wins, but they do possess the record for the most losses on December 25.

All in all, the Knicks are not the worst team playing on Christmas this year. With that said, they are also nowhere near the best. They are average and likely destined for a first-round exit if they do not fall into the play-in if they do they are not even guaranteed a seven-game series.

The Sixers are not much better, with only a couple fewer losses than the Knicks. Philadelphia has the NBA’s leading scorer and MVP candidate, former MVP James Harden, former All-Star Tobias Harris, and other quality players.

The Sixers sitting in the middle of the East is a disappointment. They should be better, and they need to improve because the halfway point is rapidly approaching Philly does not want to risk falling into the play-in tournament.