NBA On Christmas Day

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 2, 2010

NBA On Christmas Day

Knicks vs. Heat

The NFL can have Thanksgiving. The NBA wants Christmas. With a history of memorable showdowns on Dec. 25, the league continued its holiday run with five-game slate this year. And while there were no Bernard-King-60-point-performances this year, there were a number of star-studded showings worth celebrating. Here's what you missed.<br><br>To kick off the Christmas celebration, the Knicks welcomed the Heat to New York. And Dwyane Wade came bearing gifts: 30 points, nine rebounds and a 93-87 Miami win.

Knicks vs. Heat

Michael Beasley put up 19 points -- 13 in the second half -- while the Heat held the Knicks to just 31 points total in the second and third quarters.

Knicks vs. Heat

Forward Danilo Gallinari led the Knicks with 26 points and eight boards, but it wasn't enough as New York's winning streak ended at three games.

Magic vs. Celtics

Led by tenacious defense and Rajon Rondo (9), the Celtics bullied the Magic for a 86-77 win in Orlando. The Boston point guard had a nice holiday double-double with 17 points, 13 boards and eight assists.

Magic vs. Celtics

The Celtics didn't leave Florida unscathed, however, as Kevin Garnett (5) was injured while attempting to block a shot by Vince Carter in the closing minutes. Though Garnett didn't return, coach Doc Rivers didn't seem too worried about the big man's reported bruise on his head. "If he grew some hair," said Rivers, "it wouldn't hurt so much."

Magic vs. Celtics

Carter (15) led all scorers with 27 points, while center Dwight Howard grabbed 20 rebounds in the Orlando loss.

Lakers vs. Cavaliers

The LeBron-Kobe rivalry has yet to live up to expectations. But that didn't stop King James & Co. from unleashing a 102-87 beating on the Lakers in L.A.

Lakers vs. Cavaliers

In his 41 minutes on the court, James scored a team-high 26 points -- two of which came from this hard windmill dunk -- and dished out nine assists. With the win, LeBron has taken three out four meetings with Kobe in L.A.

Lakers vs. Cavaliers

While his team became frazzled (and Lamar Odom got ejected), Bryant tallied a game-high 35 points, eight assists and nine boards.

Suns vs. Clippers

Amare Stoudemire (No. 1) finished with a game-high 26 points -- one of seven in double figures -- as Phoenix routed the Los Angeles Clippers 124-93.

Suns vs. Clippers

Channing Frye helped the Suns to their most lopsided victory and the Clippers' worst loss this season. The Suns got back on track with the rout at home -- where they'd lost two straight.

Blazers vs. Nuggets

Brandon Roy (No. 7) finished with a game-high 41 points on 16-of-26 shooting as the Blazers pulled to within a game of the Northwest Division lead with a 107-96 win over the Nuggets.