Five NBA matches planned for Christmas Day

The NBA released the first portion of its shortened schedule Friday with the 2011-12 lockout-hit season now set to open with five games on Christmas Day. And for the first time since the shortened 1998-99 season, the NBA champion from last year will face the runner-up team on opening day. The NBA has made it official that Miami will visit the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day. Dallas is expected to raise their championship banner before the game. "I think everybody did it on purpose. But, you know, whatever for the ratings, right?" Miami's Chris Bosh said. "I use it as motivation. I know they're going to be pumped up. It's the worst time to be at home for me. But everything happens for a reason, so we're going to have to watch it, take it all in and just use that as fuel for the rest of the season." Dallas beat the Heat in six games in last season's finals, winning the championship at Miami. With the lockout of the players by the owners partially lifted and the new collective bargaining agreement likely to be completed in the next week, the NBA announced the opening games for its abbreviated 66-game schedule. The contests begin with the Boston Celtics visiting the New York Knicks, followed by the NBA finals rematch between the Heat and the Mavericks. The Bulls and Lakers will square off later in Los Angeles. There were three games originally scheduled for Christmas Day but with the compressed 66-game schedule the league decided to add two more games, comprising the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Orlando Magic and the Golden State Warriors playing the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.