Here are the 2009 NBA Christmas Day matchups along with a historical look at the NBA teams and players that have competed on Dec. 25 throughout the decades:
NBA Matchups on Christmas:
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Miami Heat at New York Knicks 12 p.m. ET ESPN
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic 2:30 p.m. ET ABC
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers 5 p.m. ET ABC
Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns 8 p.m. ET ESPN
Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers 10:30 p.m. ET ESPN
The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Shaquille O’Neal prepare to play on Christmas Day for the 12th time – the most among active players – while the Knicks, which helped tip off the NBA on Christmas in 1947, will make their leading 45th appearance. To celebrate the holiday, the Knicks will wear their green jerseys against the Miami Heat, while all 10 teams will debut new on court shooting shirts.
NBA on Christmas
·1947 – First NBA games played (3 games).
·202 – All-time number of games played.
·271 – Most points scored (New York Knicks – 136 Philadelphia Warriors 135 in 1961)
·5 – Most nationally televised games on Christmas Day (2008, 2009).
NBA Players on Christmas
·Dolph Schayes and Earl Monroe have appeared in 13 games, the most in NBA history.
·Bryant and O’Neal lead active players with 11 appearances.
·Oscar Robertson has scored 377 total points, most of all-time.
·Top five active scoring leaders: Bryant (269), O’Neal (259), Tracy McGrady (130), Dwyane Wade (109), LeBron James (77).
·60 points – All-time highest single-game scoring performance: Bernard King (New York Knicks vs. New Jersey Nets, 1984).
NBA Teams on Christmas
·Most appearances by a team: New York Knicks (44), L.A. Lakers (35), Philadelphia 76ers (29), Sacramento Kings (29), Boston Celtics (25).
·20 – Most wins by a team: L.A. Lakers and New York Knicks.
·87% – Portland (13-2), best winning percentage.
NBA Around the Globe on Christmas
·Games will air in 215 countries and territories in 39 languages.
·22 – International players competing, including: Pau Gasol (Spain), Danilo Gallinari (Itlaly) and Steve Nash (Canada).
·13 – Number of countries represented: (Italy, Serbia, Canada, France, Poland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Brazil, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Australia, Puerto Rico and Lithuania).
NBA Cares on Christmas
·50,000 meals served to families by NBA players during the holiday season.
·20,000 boys and girls treated to gifts by NBA teams and players.
·70 limited edition, holiday-themed basketballs autographed by NBA players, Legends, and celebrities that will be up for auction on NBA.com as part of first-ever NBA Cares Snowflake Ball auction presented by Spalding.
·150 boys and girls who will particip
