{"id":385705,"date":"2021-12-25T06:42:36","date_gmt":"2021-12-25T03:42:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/nba-christmas-day-preview-breakdown-covid-takes-big-toll\/"},"modified":"2021-12-25T06:42:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-25T03:42:36","slug":"nba-christmas-day-preview-breakdown-covid-takes-big-toll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nba-christmas-day-preview-breakdown-covid-takes-big-toll\/","title":{"rendered":"#NBA Christmas Day preview, breakdown: COVID takes big toll"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a23d6ddcb664\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a23d6ddcb664\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nba-christmas-day-preview-breakdown-covid-takes-big-toll\/#Celtics_at_Bucks_3_30_pm_ABC\" >Celtics at Bucks 3:30 p.m., ABC\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nba-christmas-day-preview-breakdown-covid-takes-big-toll\/#Warriors_at_Suns_5_pm_ESPN\" >Warriors at Suns 5 p.m., ESPN\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nba-christmas-day-preview-breakdown-covid-takes-big-toll\/#Mavericks_at_Jazz_10_30_pm_ESPN\" >Mavericks at Jazz 10:30 p.m., ESPN\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#NBA Christmas Day preview, breakdown: COVID takes big toll<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>The annual slate of Christmas <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a>s always is one of the first-half highlights of every NBA season, a marquee viewing event for fans and a privilege for the league\u2019s coaches and players who get to participate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The league-wide COVID-19 outbreak has ravaged multiple rosters and knocked out a few big names from this year\u2019s holiday schedule, including Kevin Durant of the Nets for their prime-time game (8 p.m.) against the Lakers and Trae Young and several teammates in the Hawks\u2019 noon visit to the Knicks, who are down from seven players to three in health and safety protocols.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, here is a breakdown of the three Christmas games not featuring the two New York-area teams:\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Celtics_at_Bucks_3_30_pm_ABC\"><\/span>Celtics at Bucks<br \/><strong>3:30 p.m., ABC\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Milwaukee has dealt with COVID-19 issues this season for its two best players, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, but the Greek Freak is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday for the defending NBA champs after missing the previous five games. Donte DiVincenzo is the lone Bucks player remaining in the protocol. The Celtics\u2019 rash of COVID absences currently lists a dozen players, necessitating the signing of seven-time All-Star Joe Johnson, 40, out of retirement earlier this week. Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Jabari Parker have been cleared but are listed as questionable for Boston.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/Bucks-Celtics-Basketball.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be back in the Bucks' lineup against the Celtics.\" class=\"wp-image-20611164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/Bucks-Celtics-Basketball.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/Bucks-Celtics-Basketball.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/Bucks-Celtics-Basketball.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/Bucks-Celtics-Basketball.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be back in the Bucks\u2019 lineup against the Celtics.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Warriors_at_Suns_5_pm_ESPN\"><\/span>Warriors at Suns<br \/>5 p.m., ESPN\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The clash between the two top teams in the Western Conference \u2014with a combined record of 52-11 \u2014 will feature respective stars Stephen Curry against Devin Booker, but the Warriors will be without Jordan Poole, Damion Lee and Andrew Wiggins in protocols, as well as injured Klay Thompson and James Wiseman. As of Thursday, the Suns were one of only eight NBA teams that didn\u2019t presently have a player sidelined due to COVID.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/SC-DB-crop.png?w=1024\" alt=\"Steph Curry, Devin Booker\" class=\"wp-image-20611189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/SC-DB-crop.png?w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/SC-DB-crop.png?w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/SC-DB-crop.png 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/SC-DB-crop.png?w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Steph Curry, Devin Booker<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP, Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mavericks_at_Jazz_10_30_pm_ESPN\"><\/span>Mavericks at Jazz<br \/>10:30 p.m., ESPN\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Luka Doncic\u2019s entrance into the protocols Thursday subtracted the biggest star from the Christmas finale, joining three sidelined former Knicks: Reggie Bullock, Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. Kristaps Porzingis also is listed as questionable for the Mavericks with a toe injury.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/12\/24\/nba-christmas-day-preview-breakdown-covid-takes-big-toll\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#NBA Christmas Day preview, breakdown: COVID takes big toll&#8221; The annual slate of Christmas games always is one of the first-half highlights of every NBA season, a marquee viewing event for fans and a privilege for the league\u2019s coaches and players who get to participate.\u00a0 The league-wide COVID-19 outbreak has ravaged multiple rosters and knocked&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":385706,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/12\/preview-crop.png?w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[122495,71052,80610,108082,71376,87254,90248,80295,3674,88404,82280,91160],"class_list":["post-385705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-12-24-21","tag-boston-celtics","tag-dallas-mavericks","tag-devin-booker","tag-giannis-antetokounmpo","tag-golden-state-warriors","tag-luka-doncic","tag-milwaukee-bucks","tag-nba","tag-phoenix-suns","tag-stephen-curry","tag-utah-jazz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=385705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385705\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/385706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=385705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=385705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=385705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}