The last time the Portland Trail Blazers played on Christmas Day was a 2010 contest that saw them fall to the Golden State Warriors, 109-102. The high scorer was Monta Ellis with 39 points, and the Blazers’ roster featured names such as Marcus Camby, Andre Miller and the always-entertaining-yet-often-infuriating Rudy Fernandez.
Case in point: It’s been a long time since Rip City has been featured on Christmas night. The NBA has chosen once again to pass on Portland this season (and understandably so), but that doesn’t mean Blazers fans everywhere shouldn’t be invested in one particular matchup.
When the Miami Heat host the New Orleans Pelicans in the day’s first showcase, they’ll be going for their 10th all-time win on Christmas. They’re currently 9-2 on the holiday (.818), which is good enough for the second-highest Dec. 25 winning percentage in league history.
Who owns the highest winning percentage, you ask? You guessed it. The Portland Trail Blazers.
Despite not playing on Christmas in five years, Portland holds the all-time best winning percentage on the holiday at .824. It has won 14 of its 17 matchups, but that No. 1 spot will belong to the Heat if they push their record to 10-2 (.833) with a win over the Pelicans.
In order for New Orleans to pull off the upset, a Christmas miracle might need to take place. The Pellies have been one of the Association’s biggest disappointments this season with a record of 7-18, while Miami currently owns the No. 4 spot out East at 15-9.
Although there are plenty of teams ahead of Portland when it comes to total Xmas victories, those squads have racked up plenty of losses in the process. The New York Knicks are proud owners of a league-best 22 Christmas Day wins, but they’re also the not-so-proud owners of 28 losses. The Lakers are next in line at 21-20, and the Sacramento Kings sit in third with an 18-11 all-time record.
The Blazers are sixth when it comes to total franchise wins on this particular day, but it’s quality we’re concerned with here—not quantity. A Miami loss is all Portland requires to hold its No. 1 spot, and it’s all fans need to boost their basketball spirits this holiday season.
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