Basketball

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic's frequent parade to the free-throw line was a sore subject for Steve Kerr. The Golden State coach doesn't feel like defense gets rewarded consistently enough in today's NBA.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Boston Celtics were happy to share on Christmas Day, and it propelled them to a historic holiday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

MIAMI (AP) — The first thing Miami rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. did when the schedule was released this summer was check to see when the Heat play in his hometown of Los Angeles. The second thing was seeing if they played on Christmas.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Bucks hadn't just been beating them, they were beating them easily. So in front of a sold-out home crowd and a national TV audience, the New York Knicks used the Christmas stage to make their stand against Milwaukee.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks will be without starting small forward De'Andre Hunter for at least two weeks as he deals with inflammation in his right knee, the team said Monday.

MIAMI (AP) — Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid will not play in Philadelphia's Christmas night game against the Miami Heat, with the 76ers ruling him out because of a sprained right ankle.

Indiana Pacers (14-14, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (15-12, eighth in the Western Conference) Houston; Tuesday, 8 p.m.

Orlando Magic (17-11, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (5-23, 14th in the Eastern Conference) Washington; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Magic -6.

Sacramento Kings (17-11, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7-21, 14th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Kings -6; over/under is 235.

Atlanta Hawks (12-17, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (13-18, 10th in the Eastern Conference) Chicago; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Hawks -1.5; over/under is 235.