NBA Christmas Day Blockbuster - Heat vs. Lakers - on ABC

ESPN Opening Week Doubleheaders Wednesday & Friday; First-Ever Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Game on ESPN

The NBA Christmas Day tradition will continue with a blockbuster doubleheader on ABC highlighted by the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and Finals MVP Kobe Bryant hosting the Miami Heat and the recently established nucleus of league MVP LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh Saturday, Dec. 25, at 5 p.m. ET.  It will be the first meeting between the teams this season.  The doubleheader will tip off when the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics visit the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard, 2010 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, at 2:30 p.m.  The NBA Countdown pregame show will preview the action at 2 p.m.  ESPN Radio will broadcast the Heat/Lakers matchup with coverage beginning at 4:15 p.m.

In addition to ABC's doubleheader, ESPN will televise three Christmas Day games including the New York Knicks and offseason acquisition Amar'e Stoudemire hosting the Chicago Bulls, led by All-Star point guard Derrick Rose and newcomer Carlos Boozer, at 12 p.m.  ESPN will also televise an evening doubleheader featuring a pair of the NBA's elite forwards when the Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony face the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Durant at 8 p.m., and a new-look Golden State Warriors, with the addition of David Lee joining rookie standout Stephen Curry, hosting the Portland Trail Blazers and All-Star Brandon Roy at 10:30 p.m.

ESPN's games will also be seen via ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV.  ESPN Deportes will televise the Bulls/Knicks and Nuggets/Thunder matchups.