THREE NBA CHRISTMAS GAMES RESULT IN BLOWOUTS, U.S. FALLS TO RUSSIA IN WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY OPENER

NBA CHRISTMAS SCOREBOARD:

Heat def. Pelicans – 111-98

Bucks def. Warriors – 138-99

Nets def. Celtics – 123-95

Lakers def. Mavericks – 138-115

Clippers def. Nuggets – 121-108

TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE:
Hawks @ Grizzlies – 5 p.m.

Thunder @ Hornets – 7 p.m.

Cavaliers @ Pistons – 7 p.m.

Magic @ Wizards – 7 p.m.

76ers @ Knicks – 7:30 p.m.

Pacers @ Bulls – 8 p.m.

Raptors @ Spurs – 8:30 p.m.

Timberwolves @ Jazz – 9 p.m.

Rockets @ Trail Blazers – 10 p.m.

Suns @ Kings – 10 p.m.

WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY:

The U.S. dropped the world junior hockey championship Group A opener to Russia 5-3 on Friday.

Two goals by John Farinacci and Trevor Zegras cut Russia’s lead to 4-3 with 2:18 left in the game, but an empty-netter by Yegor Chinakhov sealed the game with 18 seconds to play.

Also in Group A, Finland defeated short-handed Germany 5-3, and Slovakia shut-out Switzerland 1-0.