10 NBA Christmas teams must turn these lumps of coal into miraculous gifts

NBA he Christmas games are among the most important in basketball. The league matches the best teams in the biggest rivalries, and teams usually deliver with iconic performance. All of these teams that will be playing on December 25, 2025 are primed to compete for the NBA Finals, and the Christmas games could see that happen. However, these teams are not flawless. With the joy of the holiday season in mind, the weaknesses of any team playing on Christmas Day can be compared to lumps of coal. However, these weaknesses can be fixed like a Christmas miracle.

The Cavaliers’ biggest problem: Inefficiency from every floor level

The Eastern Conference is wide open this year due to Tyrese Halliburton’s injuries and Jayson Tatum. The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t capitalize. A year after he had one of the the greatest start in NBA historyThe Cavaliers got off to a slow start. They are just 17-14 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Last year, the Cavaliers he led NBA in scoring (121.9). They are struggling with efficiency this year. Cleveland has attempted more 3-pointers than any other team, but they rank just 21st at 34.8% shooting from deep. Likewise, their overall field goal percentage is only the 21st highest total in the league despite the fact that they are number one in field goal attempts.

Donovan Mitchell is having the best season of his career and Jaylon Tyson has developed into a solid rotation player. The rest of Cleveland’s roster fell short of expectations. The team was second in 3-point percentage last year, and they haven’t lost their shooting ability; they may just have to reduce the volume until the efficiency is corrected.

New York Knicks

The Knicks’ biggest problem: Scoring on the bench

The New York Knicks have been very balanced this year. With the philosophy of Tom Thibodeau out, the team was more willing to play their bench. However, the team’s bench is still not scoring that many goals. New York ranks penultimate in the bench with only 30.6 points per game.

One disappointment so far has been Jordan Clarkson. The former Sixth Man of the Year winner averaged 20.8 points per game just a few seasons ago. While his numbers were expected to drop as he sacrificed himself for a better team, the guard wasn’t expected to score just 9.9 points per game this year.

The Knicks need Clarkson’s scoring spark off the bench, so they should give him the green light to get more shots when he’s on the floor.

San Antonio Spurs

Spurs’ biggest problem: 3-point defense

The San Antonio Spurs are playing their best basketball in their NBA Christmas Day matchup. Even so, they have areas where they can get better. San Antonio’s 3-point defense in particular could improve. Teams are afraid to go inside on Victor Vembanyama, and if they do, the leader’s double blocks per game will deter anything close to the rim.

The rest of the team’s defenders should give maximum effort, ensuring that opposing teams do not get a clear look from deep. They can afford it because even if they bring players in, Vembanyama will be there to clean up the mess.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Thunder’s biggest problem: Slow starts after the break

The Oklahoma City Thunder looked flawless and truly unbeatable at the start of the season. They were 24-1 en route to the NBA Cup semifinals. Since then, the defending champions have gone 2-3, showing that their roster is filled with nothing but men and they may actually have some areas where they could improve.

The Thunder have had trouble coming out of the halftime break in recent years, and that was prevalent during this recent loss. The Thunder have enough depth that there is no excuse for this flaw. The Thunder’s offensive philosophy is built around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s play for his teammates, almost all of whom are in the catch-and-shoot 3-point game.

Still, it can take some time for the shooters to get going, so the easiest way for the Thunder to start the third quarter stronger would be to focus more on the downhill offense. Players like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren should prioritize attacking the basket after halftime.

Mavericks’ biggest problem: Spacing

The Dallas Mavericks took a big hit when they traded Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. Although Derek Lively is out for the seasoninternal team presence is effective. Dallas has Davis, Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington working down low. There are plenty of wings and guards looking to land as well, including Cooper Flagg and Brandon Williams.

With Kyrie Irving sidelined with a torn ACL, the Mavericks simply don’t have enough cap space. The interior is congested, and the team doesn’t have enough 3-point threats. Dallas is 27th in 3-pointers per game (11) and 28th in 3-point percentage (33.4%). Reports suggest Irving could return to action at some point this year. The greatest point guard of all time would certainly help solve the Mavericks biggest problem.

Flagg’s development will also help in this regard. The number one overall pick has had some of his biggest games over the past few weeks, and it looks like he’s starting to live up to pre-draft expectations. Flagg is shooting just 26.7% from deep, but went 4-for-6 in Dallas’ recent thrilling win over Denver Nuggets. That’s a good sign for Mavericks fans, and they have to hope their prized rookie possession gets hot from going deep.

The Warrior’s Biggest Problem: Inner presence

The Golden State Warriors became a dynasty largely because their small-ball lineups were so effective. Draymond Green may be small to play center, but his defense expertise allows him to occupy the minutes at five. However, fans have long wondered how effective the Warriors can be with a true center.

The team’s three centers have not been productive enough this season. Al Horford has missed most of the year, Quinten Post isn’t hitting threes as expected, and Trace Jackson-Davis is limited to a small role. Horford’s return on Christmas from the sciatica issue will help, but the Warriors could also use outside reinforcements.

Green, Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are all getting older, so the Warriors must do whatever it takes to give them one last shot at a championship. That could mean trading for another big one. The Warriors need a center who can hold the paint on defense and score inside on offense. If the trade doesn’t go through, then they’ll need Horford to play like a prime version of himself after he just had an extended layoff.

The biggest problem with rockets: Volume in 3 points

The Houston Rockets were young and athletic last season, leading to a breakout year of sorts. They traded for Kevin Durant, one of the best scorers in NBA historyin the offseason. The move saw the team take the next step forward, but the Rockets still don’t have as much 3-point shooting as expected because Fred VanVleet is out for a year with a torn ACL.

It’s not like the Rockets can’t make deep shots. They actually rank second in 3-point percentage, as they shoot an outstanding 40% from beyond the arc. The Rockets shoot just 30.2 long bombs per game, which is last in the NBA. The solution is simple: The Rockets need to attempt more threes, even if it means sacrificing their elite efficiency.

In addition to Durant, Reed Shepard, Taree Eason, Josh Okogie, Aaron Holiday, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun can hit jumpers. The team will soon have Dorian Finney-Smith back. The free agent acquisition is a 3-and-D player who can also help boost Houston’s 3-point range.

The Lakers’ biggest problem: Perimeter defense

Prior to the start of the season, center depth was considered the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest weakness. Deandre Ayton was signed and he solved the problem of the great man. The Lakers have actually been one of the best teams in the Western Conference this year. There is too much playmaking and scoring between the big three of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for opposing teams to handle.

However, at this stage of their careers, none of those players are known for their defense, so the perimeter defense has struggled. James’ contributions this late in his career are impressive, but he just isn’t the defender he once was, and Doncic is just a bad defender. The lack of defense from the point of attack was most prevalent when it came to the Lakers’ lack of ability to prevent teams from making three-pointers.

Teams shoot 38.5% of deep against the Lakers, the worst mark in the league. The offense is great, but it has to work double time to overcome this weakness. There’s no clear-cut solution on the roster, but teams led by James tend to remain active in the trade market, so one has to assume the Lakers will be looking for more perimeter defensive help before the NBA trade deadline.

Reports suggest that Herb Jones is the player the team wants to continue, and he is one of the best defenders in basketball. If they look inside, the Lakers could give Jared Vanderbilt more minutes. He goes full throttle 100% of the time, and that could help motivate lazy defenders like Doncic and James to step up their games on the less glamorous side of the court.

The Timberwolves’ biggest problem: Point guard game

Point guard has been a known problem coming into the season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the team has done nothing to alleviate concerns about the lead guard spot so far. Mike Conley is simply past his prime and not producing much for the team. Rob Dillingham didn’t develop as much as he had hoped either.

Point guard issues forced catch-and-shoot Donte DiVincenzo into minutes. Top scoring option Anthony Edwards also had to make more plays. The Timberwolves have made back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances. They may need another true rotation-caliber point guard if they want to take the next step forward.

The trade market will be the best place to look. Trae Young, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball and James Harden would be big trades, and the Timberwolves haven’t been afraid of big moves in recent years. If the team can’t land a blockbuster deal, there are plenty of other point guards on the trading block, including Collin Sexton. If the Timberwolves can’t find a replacement, they may have to embrace Point-Edwards.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets’ biggest problem: Early season depth

The Denver Nuggets bench and depth issues have been what has limited them in recent years. They solved this problem by bringing in Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., but injuries depleted Denver’s newfound depth.

Christian Brown and Aaron Gordon missed most of the season, and Johnson just got a bruise it will last him for a long period of time. Fortunately, Jamal Murray is having his best year and Nikola Jokic is good enough to lead the team to wins by himself.

Denver still needs to get healthy and get a full rotation at some point. If they don’t, then they are likely to live up to championship expectations again. Brown and Gordon are close to returning. After an aggressive offseason, the Nuggets may need a gauge to trade for another rotation.