NBA’ S CHRISTMAS DAY MATCH UPS

New Orleans at Miami

TV: ESPN, 9 a. m. Line: Heat by 41⁄ 2 What to look for: Zion Williamson and the Pelicans opened the season with a win over Toronto, thanks in part to new teammates Eric Bledsoe ( 18 points) and Steven Adams ( eight points, eight rebounds, four steals, two blocks). The Finals runnerup Heat are coming off a sloppy loss ( 22 turnovers) at Orlando.

Golden State at Milwaukee

TV: Ch. 7, 11: 30 a. m.

Line: Bucks by 10 What to look for: The Warriors are in trouble without Klay Thompson ( Achilles, out for season) and Draymond Green ( foot). The Bucks are coming off a one- point loss to Boston after wiping out a 17- point deficit. Two- time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a tying free throw with 0.4 of a second left.

Brooklyn at Boston

TV: Ch. 7, 2 p. m. Line: Nets by 3 What to look for: The Nets wiped out the Warriors to tip off the season, with the debut of the Kevin Durant- Kyrie Irving pairing as good as advertised. The Celtics’ dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown excelled as well, with Tatum banking home a threepoint shot over Antetokounmpo for the win.

Dallas at Lakers

TV: ESPN, 5 p. m. Line: Lakers by 6 What to look for: Luka Doncic did not get much help from his teammates in a loss to Phoenix, but he was typically spectacular with 32 points and eight rebounds. Now that the Lakers have their rings, they’ll be trying to f igure out chemistry after subpar outings from newcomers Marc Gasol and Wesley Matthews.

Clippers at Denver

TV: ESPN, 7: 30 p. m. Line: Clippers by 21⁄ 2 What to look for: It’s a rematch from the Clippers’ playoff debacle in which the Nuggets wiped out a 3- 1 series deficit to advance. Denver is smarting after upstart Sacramento won their opener in OT despite a tripledouble by Nikola Jokic. Paul George was his All- Star self as the Clippers topped the champion Lakers.