NBA » Christmas Day • Starting at noon on ESPN/ABC
A big holiday tradition over the years has been the NBA on Christmas and this year we get five games starting at noon. Miami at New York start things off with the Dwayne Wade show. At 2:30 p.m. on ABC, it’s Boston at Orlando in a battle of the two best of teams in the East. The game of the day is at 5 p.m., with LeBron James and Cleveland facing Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers. We return to ESPN for the nighttime double-header with the 8 p.m. game between the L.A. Clippers and Phoenix. And the long day of pro hoops comes to a close at 10:30 p.m. when Denver travels to Portland — ending over 12 hours of basketball. And to all a good night. — Jim Williams

BOLD PREDICTIONS

1. Landon Donovan will score in his debut with Everton » Last week Donovan became the highest paid U.S. player in Major League Soccer after signing a contract extension with the Los Angeles Galaxy for $9 million over four years. But it isn’t what Donovan does on this side of the Atlantic Ocean that is likely to determine his legacy in the pantheon of American soccer. Donovan’s 10-week loan to Everton in the English Premier League will put him on the grandest of stages just months before he will lead the U.S. national team into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The schedule for the Toffees, as Everton is known, over that stretch includes matches against the best teams in English soccer: Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham. And it begins with a visit to Emirates Stadium in London against Arsenal, where Donovan will put the world on notice that he’s bound and determined to make up for his lackluster showing with the U.S. four years ago in Germany. — Craig Stouffer

2. Wizards will trade Butler » For two years the Washington Wizards’ mantra was “if we can ever get everyone healthy.” That wish has been fulfilled this season with the return of Gilbert Arenas, but the Wizards bear little resemblance to the big three-propelled team of 2006-07, that briefly had the best record in the Eastern Conference. Mired in 13th place in the 16-team conference, the Wizards need a major shakeup. The odd man out is Caron Butler, the most tradable of their trio of All-Stars. Butler’s contract, which expires next year at a bargain price of $10.5 million, makes him the most attractive of the trio along with his age (29) and relative durability. In addition, Butler is the one most in need of a change of scenery. His body language speaks volumes about his uncomfortable role after Arenas’ return and curious designation as “captain.” Butler’s stats — 16.7 points, 41.4 FG percent, 84.9 FT percent, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals — are all lows for his five-year stay in Washington. — Kevin Dunleavy