‘Tis that time of year again, as the NBA’s Christmas day games are nearly upon us. Since 2010, 80% of all teams playing on Christmas day have gone on to make the playoffs (72/90), with a third of the misses being courtesy of the LA Lakers, whose status as a marquee franchise that sees them in action each December 25th combined with their ineptitude for the greater part of the decade being the main reason for that. However, in 2019 LA seems to be back. The all-world duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis has skyrocketed the Lakers into first place in the West, and tomorrow they will clash with their local rivals in the LA Clippers led by Paul George and reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. 2019 offers one of the most interesting Christmas Day slates in a while, with a plethora of teams exceeding (Lakers) as well as failing (Golden State) expectations, as well as some yet to find an identity of their own (Philadelphia). Here are the grades for each of the 10 teams lined up to play on the biggest regular season night of the year.

Boston Celtics (20-7, 2nd in East) @ Toronto Raptors (21-9, 4th in East)

Celtics: A-

Despite the losses of Al Horford and Kyrie Irving in the offseason, Boston has rolled right along and sits second in the East behind Milwaukee, with wins over the Bucks, Raptors, and Heat to boot. However, they have lost twice to division rival Philadelphia, and it is yet to be seen if they can hold their own with larger teams such as the Sixers and the Bucks with a lack of stability at the center position.

Raptors: A

The defending champs have defied all expectations after losing Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, and continue to roll along as a true contender behind reigning MIP Pascal Siakam and a defense which is absolutely smothering at its best.

Milwaukee Bucks (27-4, 1st in East) @ Philadelphia 76ers (22-10, 5th in East)

Bucks: A+

Milwaukee has been the best team in the league by leaps and bounds this season, as MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has only got better in the new season, averaging 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 31 minutes per game, for an all-time best PER of 34.62.  Milwaukee has “bucked” the recent trend of needing two stars to win in today’s NBA, and behind Giannis and a plethora of shooters (not that Giannis isn’t developing a shot of his own) and continues to roll through the East at everyone’s expense.

Sixers: B-

Philly came into this season expecting to contend for the title, and while they have by no means been bad, chemistry has been iffy at times and it remains to be seen if an Embiid-Simmons duo is enough to contend for a championship.

Houston Rockets(21-9, 4th in West) @ Golden State Warriors (7-24, 15th in West)

Rockets: A-

Houston has been largely overlooked as a contender in the West, behind James Harden putting up 40 points a night and 50 without breaking a sweat, and Astroworld sits just 3 games out of the first seed. Despite early concerns, Russell Westbrook and James Harden have been excellent as a unit, keying the second-best scoring offense in the league behind Milwaukee.

Warriors: F

Oh boy, where to start. We all knew Golden State would fall off, but not like this. Granted, they have suffered injuries to all of their stars that have cost them playing time, but regardless of circumstance a fall from such a height to the worst record in the West warrants an F.

LA Clippers (22-10, 4th in West) @ LA Lakers (24-6, 1st in West)

Clippers: B+

The Clips have managed to keep pace with the premier teams in the West despite both George and Leonard missing significant amounts of time. Come playoff time, there aren’t many teams that can hang with this outfit for a seven-game series, as the Clippers can go a legitimate 11 or 12 men deep.

Lakers: A

Despite a recent 3-game skid, the Lakeshow has maintained the second-best record in the NBA, and appear set to end the team’s 6-year playoff drought after having missed the postseason just 5 times in franchise history before. With two viable MVP candidates in LeBron and AD, championship No.17 looks closer than ever in LA.

New Orleans Pelicans (8-23, 14th in West) @ Denver Nuggets (21-8, 2nd in West)

Pelicans: D+

NOLA came into the season expecting to be a fringe playoff contender behind an elite young core. Instead, most of the core outside of potential All-Star Brandon Ingram has disappointed, and with No.1 pick Zion Williamson yet to play this season, the season is all but lost in New Orleans.

Nuggets: A

Coming into the game riding a 7-game win streak, Denver sits at 2nd in a loaded Western Conference despite a relatively disappointing start from All-NBA center Nikola Jokic. As Jokic begins to pick it up, it might be time to see Denver as a threat to the LA powerhouses of the West.