The NBA confirmed its five-game 2011-12 opening day slate Friday, featuring the Bulls playing the Lakers on Dec. 25.
Other Christmas Day games include the Celtics playing the Knicks in a renovated Madison Square Garden, a Finals rematch of the Heat against the Mavericks in Dallas, the Thunder and back-to-back league scoring champ Kevin Durant traveling to play two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard and the Magic in Orlando and the Warriors hosting their in-state rival Clippers and last season's Rookie of the Year, Blake Griffin.
The Bulls-Lakers matchup, taking place at Los Angeles' Staples Center, will tip off at 4 p.m. Central.
Each NBA team will play two preseason games toward the end of training camp, which opens Dec. 9. It is believed that the Bulls will play the Pacers in a home-and-away series.