Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat.
Below are the projected starting lineups for each NBA team for Friday’s Christmas day slate, along with notable news for each squad. For real-time updates to these lineups, check out the NBA Insiders lineups page.
Injury News
The key injury news to watch comes from the early matchup on Christmas day between the New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat. Jimmy Butler is questionable to play Friday as he deals with an ankle injury.
Per our NBA Insiders tool:
Butler has been added to the injury and is listed questionable in advance of Friday’s game with a sprained ankle. He tweaked his ankle during Wednesday’s season opener after getting it stepped on but managed to play through it.
Jamal Murray is another name to keep an eye on tonight for the late game. He has been listed as probable (calf) for today’s game despite avoiding the injury report throughout the preseason.
Be sure to check the NBA Insiders Tool for real time updates.
For a limited time, you can try one month of Action Labs for just $25.
New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat (12 p.m. ET)
Pelicans Projected Lineup
PG – Lonzo Ball
SG – Eric Bledsoe
SF – Brandon Ingram
PF – Zion Williamson
C – Steven Adams
Injury news: None.
Heat Projected Lineup
PG – Jimmy Butler
SG – Tyler Herro
SF – Duncan Robinson
PF – Moe Harkless
C – Bam Adebayo
Injury news: Jimmy Butler is questionable (ankle)
Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks (2:30 p.m. ET)
Warriors Projected Lineup
PG – Stephen Curry
SG – Kelly Oubre
SF – Andrew Wiggins
PF – Eric Paschall
C – James Wiseman
Injury news: Draymond Green is out (foot).
Bucks Projected Lineup
PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
C – Brook Lopez
Injury news: DJ Augustin is listed as probable (calf)
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics (5 p.m. ET)
Nets Projected Lineup
PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – Spencer Dinwiddie
SF – Joe Harris
PF – Kevin Durant
C – DeAndre Jordan
Injury news: XXXX
Celtics Projected Lineup
PG – Marcus Smart
SG – Javonte Green
SF – Jaylen Brown
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Daniel Theis
Injury news: Tristian Thompson will start but play limited minutes (hamstring)
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m. ET)
Mavericks Projected Lineup
PG – Patrick Beverley
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Patrick Patterson
C – Serge Ibaka
Injury news: None
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – LeBron James
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Marc Gasol
Injury news: None.
LA Clippers at Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET)
Clippers Projected Lineup
PG – Patrick Beverley
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Nicolas Batum
C – Serge Ibaka
Injury news: Marcus Morris (knee) is out.
Nuggets Projected Lineup
PG – Jamal Murray
SG – Gary Harris
SF – Michael Porter
PF – Paul Millsap
C – Nikola Jokic
Injury news: JaMychal Green is out (calf)
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 9 a.m. ET, Justin Phan is seeing value on two matchups: Pelicans vs. Heat and Clippers vs. Nuggets. To see his analysis on those picks, sign up for our NBA Insiders Tool.