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It’s the most wonderful time of the year—NBA Christmas Day games are here, and the action is stacked with star power! The crew breaks down the key matchups, previewing every game on the Christmas Day slate.

First up, the Spurs at Knicks at 12 PM EST. Will Victor Wembanyama continue to shine in his sophomore year, or will Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson lead the Knicks to victory? All eyes are on the next generation of stars.

At 2:30 PM EST, it's Timberwolves at Mavericks. Can Luka Doncic carry the Mavs to another win, or will Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves show they’re a force to be reckoned with in the West? This matchup is sure to be a high-energy showdown.

At 5 PM EST, it's a thrilling battle between the 76ers and Celtics. Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid are two of the NBA’s best—can the Celtics maintain their dominance, or will Embiid’s inside game overpower them? This could be a playoff preview.

The Lakers at Warriors at 8 PM EST brings LeBron James to the stage once again. Can the Warriors defend their home court against the King? With the Warriors struggling this season, it will be interesting to see if LeBron can lead the Lakers to a Christmas Day win.

Finally, Nuggets at Suns at 10:30 PM EST will feature MVP candidate Nikola Jokić against a hungry Suns squad. Can Jokić continue his dominance, or will Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have something to say about it? This late-night matchup will be one to watch.

The fun doesn’t stop there! The guys also dive into Wicked or Kick It, where they judge NBA outfits worn by stars like Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, and Steph Curry. Plus, they unveil their NBA Christmas Wish List, with bold predictions ranging from trades to player transformations.

And for some competitive fun, it’s time for NBA Christmas Day Trivia! Travis and George face off in a battle of NBA knowledge.

Finish up the episode with their must-watch NBA League Pass Game to Watch picks and more.

It’s a jam-packed episode of predictions, debates, and laughs—don’t miss this holiday edition of Hold My Banner, hosted by Travis Thomas, Ountae Campbell, and George Balekji! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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00:00 Intro

02:06 Spurs At Knicks

09:00 Timberwolves At Mavericks

14:05 76ers At Celtics

16:35 Lakers At Warriors

22:45 Nuggets At Suns

27:21 Wicked Or Kick It - NBA Fashion

36:19 NBA Christmas Wish List

47:07 NBA Christmas Trivia

50:20 Must Watch NBA League Pass Games

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Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Knicks? It may seem far-fetched, but it’s a real possibility according to George Balekji’s NBA Christmas wish list. In this clip, the crew discusses Giannis potentially being unhappy in Milwaukee and the possibility of him seeking a trade. With the Bucks' recent struggles and Giannis’ window to win closing, many wonder if the Greek Freak could be looking for a new team, and New York might be a perfect landing spot. Meanwhile, Travis Thomas wishes for a Celtics repeat, and Ountae Campbell hopes for NBA expansion and Zion Williamson to be traded to the Heat. Tune in for all the bold and exciting NBA wishes this holiday season on Hold My Banner, hosted by Travis Thomas, Ountae Campbell, and George Balekji! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The Bucks won the 2nd Annual NBA Cup and Giannis Antetokounmpo was the MVP. Travis Thomas said the Bucks would lose in 5 games if they face the Celtics in the playoffs. George Balekji was impressed how the Bucks have played of late and how they played against the Thunder. The Bucks didn’t pop the champagne after the win because they said the journey is not finished. Travis and George both liked that they left the bottles on ice and looking toward the playoffs. Travis doesn’t care what Doc Rivers is telling them they are not beating the Cavaliers or the Celtics. 

Tune in for all this and more in the lastest episode of Hold My Banner, hosted by Travis Thomas and George Balekji! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts. For the full episode click here: https://youtube.com/live/wEYdEy3HD9A?feature=share

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#NBA #Tatum #Giannis #Knicks

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Travis Thomas starts off saying the Celtics are back in action and the Championship still runs through Boston. Jimmy Butler could be moved by the Miami Heat but would it be for more than a year. Travis also gives his NBA Power Rankings and guess who he picks number 1.

George Balekji joins the show and the guys talk about the Bucks winning the NBA Cup and the fact that they didn’t pop in champagne. Travis still thinks the Bucks are not going to Beat the Celtics. George feels The Bucks are buying into Doc Rivers coaching and this could be the last run for Giannis and Damian Lillard.

 Also in this Episode from the Hold My Banner podcast, Travis and George dive into the hottest NBA fashion in another round of Wicked or Kick It. This time, we’re judging the fits of Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Klay Thompson. Who’s serving up style, and who’s getting kicked to the curb?

Travis catches up with designer Melissa Stern the Owner and founder of Mel the clothing to talk her love of sports and fashion. 

The guys touch on a few of the best match ups this weekend and the games that they will be watching.

Tune in for all the bold and exciting NBA wishes this holiday season on Hold My Banner, hosted by Travis Thomas, OuntaeCampbell, and George Balekji! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We dive into the struggles of the Golden State Warriors, who have gone from 12-3 to just 2-8 in their last 10 games, now sitting in 8th place in the West after once being the top seed. George and Ountae discuss the pressing question: Can the Warriors still build a championship-contending team around Steph Curry before his window starts to close? As one of the greatest players of all time, Curry continues to perform at an elite level, but the team needs more help to support him. The guys break down what the Warriors need—whether it’s additional scoring, defense, or more consistent playmaking—to take some pressure off Curry. They also explore how Dennis Schroder might play a role in that effort and who the Warriors should target next to fill those gaps and re-enter the championship conversation.

All this and more on Hold My Banner with George Balekji and Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The guys dive into Caitlin Clark’s incredible achievement of being named Time’s Athlete of the Year. George passionately defends Clark, urging everyone to give her the respect she deserves. Not only has Clark earned these accolades with her dominance on the court, but she also continuously celebrates the legends who paved the way for her, helping elevate the entire women’s game and inspire future generations. As a member of the Indiana Fever, she’s playing a pivotal role in pushing women’s basketball to new heights.

The conversation then shifts to A’ja Wilson’s exciting new shoe deal with Nike, along with JuJu Watkins and Dawn Staley’s investment in the emerging brand, Unrivaled. The guys discuss the growing influence of women’s basketball players both on and off the court.

Next, George and Ountae quickly touch on the Celtics’ recent win over the Wizards, though there's concern over Kristaps Porzingis dealing with heel pain—thankfully, it’s not related to his previous ankle surgery.

The hosts then tackle a pressing issue: What’s wrong with the Golden State Warriors? After starting the season 12-3, the team has struggled, going 2-8 in their last 10 games. Can they still build a championship team around Steph Curry before his window closes? Should they target anyone specific, and will Dennis Schroder make a difference?

In this episode's “Win In 7,” George and Ountae have some fun with a guessing game, where they try to figure out a mystery NBA player in just seven questions.

The discussion also includes James Harden’s new shoes and his 41-point performance against the Jazz, as well as whether the 76ers are flying under the radar. Can Tyrese Maxey and Paul George help the team rise in the Eastern Conference standings? Is it time for the 76ers to trade Joel Embiid?

Finally, at the start the guys talk about the massive success of Bronny James’ jerseys, which have reportedly sold 500,000 units, bringing in over $50 million in revenue for the Lakers. With his rise to fame, Bronny’s impact is already being felt far and wide. And to close things out, George and Ountae recommend their top NBA League Pass games of the week, including Warriors vs. Grizzlies and Pacers vs. Suns—two high-scoring matchups you won’t want to miss!

All this and more on Hold My Banner with George Balekji and Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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00:00 Intro 

03:00 Caitlin Clark Deserves Her Flowers

16:35 A’ja Wilson & JuJu Watkins Deserve Flowers Too

20:41 Kristaps Porzingis Injury Is A Little Worrying

21:47 What’s Wrong With The Warriors

33:37 Win In 7 - NBA 7 Questions

40:18 Are The 76ers Headed In The Right Direction?

50:45 Must Watch NBA League Pass Games

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Discussing the controversial finish in the Warriors vs Rockets NBA Cup game. The Warriors lose 91-90 after a questionable foul call in the final moments, leaving Steve Kerr upset with the referees. The guys dive into the aftermath of that intense game and what it means moving forward for Golden State and Houston.

They also break down the NBA Cup matchups, starting with the Bucks edging out the Magic 114-109 and the Thunder defeating the Mavericks 118-104. The Hawks take down the Knicks 108-100, with Trae Young adding a bit of flair with his dice roll celebration at the end of the game.

Looking ahead, George and Ountae preview the Las Vegas Semifinals featuring Hawks vs Bucks and Thunder vs Rockets, sharing their predictions and analysis on who’s got the advantage.

The podcast shifts to trade rumors surrounding Jimmy Butler as the Miami Heat reportedly listen to offers from several teams, including the Rockets, Suns, Warriors, and Mavericks. The hosts debate what the best landing spot for Butler is, with the Rockets emerging as the betting favorite.

In the Wicked Or Kick It segment, the guys judge NBA outfits, giving their opinions on the style choices of Jalen Green, Jordan Poole, and Obi Toppin. If they like it, it’s wicked; if not, it’s getting kicked to the curb.

Finally, the hosts tackle the NBA Grid Game, competing to complete the grid with the lowest percentage possible. And, of course, they share their picks for the best NBA League Pass Game To Watch: Ountae’s pick is Grizzlies at Lakers, while George’s pick is Knicks at Magic.

Tune in for all this and more in the latest episode of Hold My Banner, hosted by George Balekji and Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NESN

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00:00 Intro 

01:23 Bucks Beat Magic - NBA Cup

05:20 Thunder Beat Mavericks - NBA Cup

08:20 Hawks Beat Knicks - NBA Cup

11:51 Rockets Beat Warriors - NBA Cup

16:07 Hawks vs Bucks - NBA Cup

18:28 Rockets vs Thunder- NBA Cup

22:10 Miami Heat Open To Trading Jimmy Butler

32:00 Wicked Or Kick It - NBA Fashion

37:50 NBA Grid Game

48:20 Must Watch NBA League Pass Games

52:15 Outro

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Trade rumors surrounding Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat! Miami is reportedly listening to offers for their star player, with several teams in the mix, including the Rockets, Suns, Warriors, and Mavericks. The hosts dive into what might be the best landing spot for Butler, with the Rockets emerging as the betting favorite.

The drama intensifies when Shams Charania reports on the situation, leading to a heated exchange between Shams and Butler’s agent, Bernard Lee, after Shams includes Butler’s name in the trade report. George and Ountae discuss the implications of this back-and-forth and what it means for Butler’s potential future with the Heat.

Tune in for all this and more in the latest episode of Hold My Banner, hosted by George Balekji and Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The Denver Nuggets have everyone worried about them after their loss to the Wizards. Travis Thomas reveals he's officially giving up on the Nuggets—despite Jokic’s continued dominance! The team has been struggling, and Travis dives into what’s going wrong in Denver. But with the Nuggets no longer his pick to win the West, who will take their place?

To make things interesting, we play a game of matchmaker! Ountae presents anonymous stats from Western Conference contenders, and Travis picks his new favorite team blindly—without knowing who’s behind the numbers.

Tune in for this intense moment of NBA drama and surprise picks, only on Hold My Banner with your hosts, Travis Thomas and Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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#NBA #Nuggets #Jokic

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Starting with the Sacramento Kings. Are you worried about Mike Brown and the Kings? Despite a 4-6 record in their last 10 games, the Kings are on a two-game win streak with blowout victories over the Spurs and Jazz. But after Mike Brown’s press conference—where he mentioned the word "possession" 26 times following the win over the Jazz—are the Kings on the verge of turning things around? We discuss whether Mike Brown’s job is safe and if De’Aaron Fox is doing enough to push this team to the next level.

Next, Travis rants in his Celtics Week in Review, where he discusses Jayson Tatum following in the footsteps of Tom Brady, and what that means for Boston’s future. Plus, a look at Chris Paul’s remarkable legacy in the NBA.

In a shocking twist, Travis reveals he's ready to give up on the Nuggets—despite Jokic’s brilliance. We dive into the Nuggets' struggles and pick a new favorite to win the West. Ountae presents anonymous Western Conference stats, and Travis picks his new team blindly—let’s see who comes out on top!

We also celebrate Caitlin Clark’s incredible year as Times Athlete of the Year, plus we break down the WNBA Expansion Draft and analyze the Valkyries’ picks.

Finally, don’t miss our NBA League Pass Game of the Week—we’re all-in on the NBA Cup!

Tune in for all that and more, only on Hold My Banner with your hosts, Travis Thomas and Ountae Campbell! Catch 'Hold My Banner' every Wednesday and Friday on NESN's Youtube, Twitch, Facebook, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

GET NESN 360: https://nesn.com/download-the-nesn-app/

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00:00 Intro 

04:15 Celtics Past Week

12:25 Jayson Tatum Face Of Coach

17:15 Chris Paul’s Legacy

22:35 Kings’ Mike Brown On The Hot Seat?

31:40 What’s Wrong With The Nuggets?

36:21 Western Conference Champion Matchmaker

47:37 Caitlin Clark Time’s Athlete Of The Year

49:42 WNBA Expansion Draft Recap

51:04 Must Watch NBA League Pass Games

51:33 Outro

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