The National Basketball Association has confirmed that the 2011-12 season will start on Christmas Day with five high-profile games, including a blockbuster showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
The New York Knicks will also host the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden and the Los Angeles Lakers host the Chicago Bulls when the shortened 66-game season finally gets underway after a five-month lockout.
The tip-offs remain contingent on league owners and the players union approving a new collective bargainining agreement. The sides have already agreed in principle and are expected to ratify the deal next week.
