MIAMI — Jrue Holiday grew up watching Christmas Day games, with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers almost being an annual fixture in the NBA's holiday lineup.
He's never gotten to play on the holiday.
That is, until now.
He's not alone. Several players will make their debut under the Christmas lights, including New Orleans star Anthony Davis — the reason why the Pelicans are on the Christmas schedule. Then there are some of the top rookies like Miami's Justise Winslow and the Lakers' D'Angelo Russell. And the wait may be over for veterans like the Clippers' Josh Smith, Miami's Gerald Green, the Lakers' duo of Roy Hibbert and Lou Williams, all set to play on Christmas for the first time.