The inter-city rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers headlines the NBA's five-game Christmas Day schedule, according to ESPN. In addition to the battle of L.A., the Golden State Warriors will host the new-look Houston Rockets at the new Chase Arena. The Warriors have eliminated the Rockets in the playoffs the last two seasons. Two Eastern Conference favorites – the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers – will play in Philadelphia. In other games, the defending champion Toronto Raptors will host the Boston Celtics and No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson will make his Christmas debut as the New Orleans Pelicans will play the Denver Nuggets in Colorado. Clippers guard Landry Shamet has withdrawn from USA Basketball Select Team camp, according to a report by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. ESPN reported that Shamet's agent, George Langberg, confirmed the decision. Instead, Shamet is turning his attention to prepping for the upcoming NBA season and what could be a deep playoff run for the Clippers, who are headlined by recent free-agent addition Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, acquired in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his first year in the league, Shamet averaged 9.1 points and 1.7 rebounds over 79 games with the 76ers (54 games) and Clippers (25 games). Carmelo Anthony was not quite ready to say goodbye to the NBA last season. Anthony said that at 35, he is working and waiting for his next chance. The 10-time NBA All-Star ended last season without a team but is hopeful the phone will ring before training camps begin next month. "I'm in the gym every single day," he said in an ESPN interview about a potential comeback. Anthony has averaged 24.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in his career. He played 10 games with the Rockets last season before general manager Daryl Morey called Anthony into his office to let him know the relationship wasn't going to work. — Reuters
