Basketball: Five matches set for Christmas Day

MIAMI: The NBA released the first portion of its shortened schedule with the season set to open with five games on Christmas Day. For the first time since the shortened 1998-99 season, the NBA champions from last year, the Dallas Mavericks, will face the runner-up team, Miami Heat, on opening day. "It's been done on purpose, for the ratings," said Miami's Chris Bosh. "It's the worst time to be at home for us. But we're going to have to take it all in and just use it as fuel for the rest of the season." The Mavericks beat the Heat in six games in last season's finals, winning the championship at Miami.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2011.