Top things to know about blockbuster Christmas Day 2018

As in years past, the 2018 NBA Christmas Day slate features five must-see games between some of the league's most entertaining teams.

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From Game 1 to Game 5, here's a rundown of this year's schedule along with some of the top things to know to get you ready for the all-day action.  

In Australia, the games will tip off on Boxing Day from 4:00am AEDT.

Bucks at Knicks

Game 1 - 4am AEDT (Boxing Day)

The first of the five games on Christmas will feature Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks visiting Madison Square Garden. It's the first time the Bucks have played on Christmas since 1977 while the Knicks are lacing them up for the third straight season.

The biggest question mark for the Knicks is Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season against the Bucks at Madison Square Garden and whose timetable for returning remains up in the air. If Porzingis can't go, Christmas could be an opportunity to showcase rookie Kevin Knox, who flashed some serious potential at Summer League and could prove to be a steal at 9th overall in the 2018 draft.

Milwaukee swept the season series last year 3-0 with Antetokounmpo averaging 26.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Thunder at Rockets

Game 2 - 7:00 AM AEDT

For the second straight year, Oklahoma City and Houston will face off on Christmas in a matchup of the two most recent MVPs, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. They've been equally matched in their 17 head-to-head meetings, Harden owning a slight 9-8 advantage with both averaging over 28 points per game in those matchups.

Much of the attention will be on Carmelo Anthony, who scored 20 in last year's meeting for the Thunder but is now a member of the Rockets. Last year's game — a 112-107 win by OKC — went down to the wire with neither team leading by five at any point in the 4th quarter.

76ers at Celtics

Game 3 - 9:30 AM AEDT

The two favorites in the Eastern Conference clash in the third game with the 76ers visiting Boston in a rematch of last year's Conference Semifinals matchup. This is the first time in 30 years the 76ers are playing back-to-back years on Christmas. They defeated the Knicks on the road last season with Joel Embiid delivering 25 points and 16 rebounds in his Christmas debut.

This is the second straight season the Celtics are hosting on Christmas. Prior to last season, Boston had never played a home game on the holiday, with each of its previous 30 games either coming on the road or at neutral sites. 

Though this is one of the league's oldest rivalries dating all the way back to 1949, this will be just the second time these franchises meet on Christmas. Their only other Christmas matchup came back in 1961 when Tom Heinsohn scored 45 points to lead the Celtics over the then Syracuse Nationals.

Lakers at Warriors

Game 4 - 12:00 PM AEDT

For the fourth straight year, LeBron James will face off against the Warriors on Christmas. Each of the three previous meetings as a member of the Cavaliers, this will be his first Christmas Day game as a member of the Lakers, whose 22 all-time wins are tied with the Knicks for the most ever on Christmas.

For James, it's his 13th time playing on Christmas, which will tie him with Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O'Neal, Dolph Schayes and Earl Monroe for the 2nd-most ever behind only Kobe Bryant, who played 16 times on Christmas.

The Warriors won last season's hotly contested Christmas tilt with the Cavaliers and are making their sixth straight appearance. In that win over the Cavaliers, Draymond Green became the sixth player in NBA history to record a triple-double on Christmas, joining Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Billy Cunningham, John Havlicek and Oscar Robertson (four times).

Blazers at Jazz

Game 5 - 2:30 PM AEDT

The nightcap features a pair of darkhorse contenders in the Western Conference returning to Christmas Day action.

The Blazers finished third in the Western Conference last season led by Damian Lillard, who was named 1st-team All-NBA, the first Portland player to earn that honour since Clyde Drexler in 1991-92. Utah looks to carry over momentum from a season in which it reached the Conference Semifinals on the back of Defencive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and budding star Donovan Mitchell.

One year after sitting out the holiday action, Mitchell is clearly looking forward to Utah's return to the national stage.

Speak it into existence 🤷🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/vBSknlNa0S

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 8, 2018

The Jazz haven't hit the hardwood on Christmas since 1997 while Portland is making its first appearance since 2010. The Blazers' 14-3 all-time record trails only the Heat, who are 10-2 on Christmas.