David Stern Stuff's our Stockings with 5 NBA Games Christmas Day

Christmas Day is loaded with spectacular NBA games all day starting at noon on ESPN. Here is a preview of each one of those games and my prediction to go along with them.

12:00pm EST
ESPN
Chicago Bulls (18-9) vs. New York Knicks (17-12)

Preview: The first game of the day features two teams from the east who figure to make a splash in the east come playoff time. The Bulls are 18-9 on the year and 9-3 since the return of Carlos Boozer. With Derek Rose playing as well as he has, he creates a lot of inside and outside opportunities for this offense and he is almost unguaradble with his quickness and agility. On the other side, the Knicks are making a turnround that many thought would happen, but not happen this quickly. The Knicks are 17-12 but are playing much better than their record shows. They are one of the best teams in the east and if they didn't have their slow start, could easily have the second best record in the east. A'Mare Stoudemire is the key. He averages 26.4 points per and just over 9 rebounds. When he dominates the inside, it opens up the rest of the floor for guys like Daniilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, and Raymond Felton.

Prediction: New York Knicks 109-98 Chicago Bulls

Reason: The loss of Joakhim Noah is detrimental to this team and A'Mare Stoudemire will exploit that weakness and lead the Knicks to a pivotal victory.

2:30pm EST
ABC
Boston Celtics (23-4) vs. Orlando Magic (17-12)

Preview: The Celtics are playing the best basketball in the league right now and their record shows that as they are 23-4 and winners of 14 straight. The team is lead by point guard Rajon Rondo who is averaging just over 13 assists. He creates spacing on the floor for team points leader Paul Pierce, three point specialist Ray Allen, and big man Kevin Garnett. This team is very balanced and gets good bench play from Nate Robinson, Glen Davis, and Marquis Daniels. The Magic on the other hand are completely changing. This past week they traded many key players away including Rashard Lewis, Marcin Gortat, Mikael Pietrus, and Vince Carter, and in exchange they received Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, and Earl Clark. The team is looking to head in a different direction and a win last night against the best team in the west shows that,

Prediction: Orlando Magic 103-99 Boston Celtics

Reason: I am looking for the new Magic players to make another huge impact and two days after they beat the best team in the west, they will defeat the best team in the east.

5:00pm EST
ABC

Miami Heat (22-9) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (21-8)

Preview: The Lakers are the defending champion 2 times running but this year, something seems to be missing since their great start. With that said, they still have a very balanced team with men like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom to play down low. Of course they still have Kobe Bryant and with Kobe comes a chance to win every single game that you play. He is one of the best players in the game and healthy or not can make a shot when it counts. The Heat are surging as of late and have won 14 out of 15 with a 12 game win streak in there. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh are beginning to click and are showing why they all came together. With the return of Wade after a missed game due to a sore knee, the Heat will be energized and ready to go. Mike Miller has also returned to the team after missing the season up to this point with a thumb injury. He will add a lot of spacing to this team and create opportunities from beyond the arch for himself and guys like LeBron and D-Wade.

Prediction: Miami Heat 97-89 Los Angeles Lakers

Reason: The Big Three will show why they teamed up and Mike Miller will find a groove. The Heat show why they are a force in the NBA.

8:00pm EST

ESPN

Denver Nuggets (16-11) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-10)

Preview: The Nuggets will most likely be without their leading scorer Carmello Anthony as he is away from the team for personal reasons. That opens the door for guys like Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith to steal the show. We know what Billups can do but Smith is different. Smith is big and quick and can beat you in many different ways. He can shoot the jumper but more often than not he will take the ball to the rim and get to the foul line. Oklahoma City will however have their leading scorer and the NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant. Durant is averaging 27.5 per game. He is vital to the teams' success as is point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook creates so much for Durant and the rest of the team as well.

Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder 103-89 Denver Nuggets

Reason: Not having Carmello will hurt this team and Durant will explode on Christmas to propel OKC to victory.

10:30pm EST

ESPN

Portland Trail Blazers (15-14) vs. Golden State Warriors (10-18)

Preview: The Golden State Warriors are a young and upcoming team. They have a some very good starting pieces in Seth Curry and David Lee. They also have Monta Ellis who can score at will. This team will be good in the future but I don't think they are there yet. The Trail Blazers however have the pieces to contend, they just have to put it all together. Brandon Roy is an all-star and is averaging 16.6 points per game. LaMarcus Aldridgeis the leading scorer for this team with just under 20 and is a guy who can shoot the jumper and also dominate inside on the post. It does hurt that Greg Oden hasn't been able to get healthy and be the low post dominant player he was expected to be.

Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers 99-89 Golden State Warriors

Reason: Golden State will be a good team eventually but not yet and LaMarcus Aldridge will continue his double double streak and get the win.