The moment I saw that Christmas Day NBA schedule back in 2018, I knew we were in for something special. As someone who’s watched holiday basketball for over a decade, I can tell you that Christmas games carry a different kind of energy—the stakes feel higher, the lights brighter, and the narratives richer. That year, five matchups stood out, not just for the star power on display, but for the sheer drama that unfolded quarter by quarter. Looking back now, it’s clear why the Top 5 Best NBA Christmas Games 2018 remain such memorable highlights, each offering lessons in resilience, strategy, and clutch performance. Today, I want to walk you through one of those games that, in my opinion, perfectly captures what makes holiday basketball so compelling—a contest where individual brilliance met team grit in the most thrilling way possible.

I remember settling into my couch with a cup of coffee, tuning into the game that featured gritty plays and unexpected turns. It was a matchup that many had predicted would be one-sided, but by halftime, you could feel the tension building. The score stayed tight, with neither team able to pull away by more than a handful of points. As the clock wound down in regulation, it felt like we were headed for a classic finish—the kind that defines the Top 5 Best NBA Christmas Games 2018 list. But what really stood out was the overtime period, where one player, Bahay, just took over. Honestly, I’ve seen plenty of players step up in big moments, but what Bahay did was something else. With the game on the line, he brought the blue-and-white back to life in the extra period, draining back-to-back treys to tie the game at 80 before setting up Kymani Ladi for the go-ahead bucket with 59 seconds to play. That sequence wasn’t just skill; it was pure instinct and courage under pressure.

Now, let’s break down what went wrong earlier in the game that led to that overtime scenario. From my perspective, the blue-and-white squad struggled with ball movement in the third quarter—they had something like 5 turnovers in just 8 minutes, which is way too high for a professional-level game. I think their offense became too predictable, relying heavily on isolation plays that let the defense settle. On top of that, their three-point shooting was abysmal for most of the second half; I recall they shot around 28% from beyond the arc before Bahay’s heroics. Defensively, they were slow to close out on shooters, giving up easy baskets in transition. These issues aren’t unique—I’ve seen teams crumble under similar pressure in past Christmas games—but here, they almost cost them the win. It’s a classic case of a team playing not to lose instead of playing to win, and that mindset can be deadly in high-stakes moments.

So, how did they turn it around? Well, the solution wasn’t some complex tactical shift—it was about trust and execution. Bahay’s leadership in overtime is a prime example. Instead of forcing contested shots, he created space for others and took those treys only when the defense sagged off. Statistically, his back-to-back threes came off assists from quick ball reversals, which boosted their three-point percentage to nearly 40% in OT. I loved how the coach finally adjusted by using more pick-and-roll actions to break down the defense, something they should’ve done earlier. Also, involving Kymani Ladi in the clutch—a player who’d been quiet most of the game—was a gutsy move that paid off. From my experience, that’s what separates good teams from great ones: the ability to adapt on the fly and empower role players in critical moments. They didn’t need a miracle; they needed to stick to their strengths and stay composed.

Reflecting on this game, it’s no surprise it earned a spot among the Top 5 Best NBA Christmas Games 2018. For me, the biggest takeaway is how holiday games amplify pressure, revealing which players can elevate their game when it matters most. Bahay’s performance isn’t just a highlight—it’s a masterclass in resilience. I’ve always believed that Christmas matchups serve as a litmus test for playoff readiness, and this game proved it. Teams that embrace the moment, rather than shy away from it, often carry that momentum into the rest of the season. If you’re a coach or a player, studying games like this can offer practical insights into handling crunch time. And as a fan, well, it’s why I keep coming back year after year—because you never know when you’ll witness another unforgettable moment that defines the holiday spirit of the NBA.