2011 Opening Day: NBA on Christmas

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Dec 26, 2011

2011 Opening Day: NBA on Christmas

Celtics vs. Knicks

After a 149-day lockout and a whirlwind preseason and free agency, the NBA returned with five star-packed games on Christmas Day. Here are some of the best shots from the first day of the shortened 2011-12 NBA season. In the day's first game, Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks on a fourth-quarter rally in their thrilling 106-104 home win over Boston. Anthony scored 17 of his game-high 37 points in the fourth, and finished with eight rebounds and three assists.

Celtics vs. Knicks

Rajon Rondo -- who had a team-high 31 points, 13 assists and five steals -- drives around Knicks center Tyson Chandler. Chandler, who signed with New York as a free agent this offseason after helping the Mavericks to a championship last June, had seven points and six blocks in his first game with the Knicks.

Celtics vs. Knicks

R&B singer Alicia Keys and producer husband Swizz Beatz watch the Knicks' opener courtside with son Egypt.

Celtics vs. Knicks

Spike Lee (far left) and Chris Rock clearly weren't pleased with the Knicks, as they gave up a 10-point lead at the half to fall behind by eight in the third.

Celtics vs. Knicks

Amar'e Stoudemire had 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor, plus six rebounds in the win.

Heat vs. Mavericks

In the second game of Opening Day, the Heat took on the Mavericks in Dallas for a rematch of the Finals. The result this time: a 105-94 win for Miami, which led by 32 in the fourth before the Mavericks came back to within 11. LeBron James led all scorers with 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Heat vs. Mavericks

Dwyane Wade and James combined for 63 points and almost totaled the entire Dallas roster midway through the third quarter.

Heat vs. Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs failed to pick up where they left off last season. The 2011 Finals MVP scored 21 on 6-of-15 shooting in their first game without center Tyson Chandler.

Heat vs. Mavericks

Newest Maverick Lamar Odom is perhaps still bitter from his Laker exit. The 12th-year forward was ejected for the second time at American Airlines Center (first was in Game 4 of the Lakers' playoff sweep to Dallas).

Heat vs. Mavericks

Jason Terry scored a team-high 23 points, with four three-pointers, while coming off the bench.

Bulls vs. Lakers

Derrick Rose nailed a floater in the lane with about five seconds left to carry the Bulls past the Lakers, 88-87, at Staples Center. Rose had 22 in the win over L.A., which was without starting center Andrew Bynum because of a four-game suspension.

Bulls vs. Lakers

Chicago native and Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West seemed to enjoy watching the Bulls take down the Lakers.

Bulls vs. Lakers

Singer Adam Levine and his Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model girlfriend, Anne V., seemed to be more interested in things non-NBA-related.

Bulls vs. Lakers

Kobe Bryant, playing with a complete ligament tear in his right wrist, still put up 28 points (twice as much as the Lakers' second-leading scorer, Pau Gasol) in the loss. However, his pass with 16.9 seconds left was picked off by Luol Deng, who then blocked Bryant's final shot at the other end.

Bulls vs. Lakers

Deng played 38 minutes for the Bulls and contributed 21 points and seven boards in the win, but his stats alone don't reveal how crucial he was to Chicago. His scrappy play on both ends -- especially in the final seconds against Kobe -- carried the Bulls to victory.

Magic vs. Thunder

Kevin Durant, donning his new Nike KD4s with Christmas laces, scored 30 as the Thunder toppled the Magic, 97-89.

Magic vs. Thunder

Dwight Howard struggled (and seem uninterested) in the Magic's opener, scoring only 11 points on 30 percent shooting. He did grab 15 rebounds, though.

Clippers-Warriors

In the final game of the day, Chris Paul and the new-look Clippers topped the Warriors, 105-86, in Golden State, which is now led by rookie coach Mark Jackson. Paul scored 20 points and dished out nine assists in the win.

Clippers-Warriors

While Blake Griffin had 22 points and seven boards, he was beat out by Warriors big man David Lee, who finished with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds.

2011 Opening Day: NBA on Christmas