The tradition continues as Christmas will be home to the NBA on ABC and ESPN for the 15th consecutive season. On Sunday, Dec. 25, ABC and ESPN will combine to present over 13 consecutive hours of NBA ACTION over five games, highlighted by the much-anticipated rematch of the most-watched NBA FINALS in ABC history - the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James and Kyrie Irving host the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant - at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The NBA FINALS broadcast team of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson will call their seventh Christmas day together and will handle Cavaliers-Warriors duties with sideline reporter Lisa Salters. NBA Countdown, featuring the return to ABC of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, precedes the game at 2 p.m. ET alongside Michelle Beadle, hosting her first NBA COUNTDOWN on Christmas, Jalen Rose and Chauncey Billups. In the second game within ABC's afternoon doubleheader, the Chicago Bulls and Dwyane Wade will visit the San Antonio Spurs and Pau Gasol, at 5 p.m. Mark Jones and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown will provide commentary. Israel Gutierrez will serve as the sideline reporter. The five-game Christmas slate tips off at 12 p.m. (noon) when the New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony host the Boston Celtics and Isaiah Thomas at Madison Square Garden. Ryan Ruocco and Curt Gowdy award-winner Doug Collins will call the action with sideline reporter Cassidy Hubbarth.Videos