The NBA lockout has all but murdered the NBA preseason this year, though not entirely. 

The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets will play a two-game, home-and-home set starting on Dec. 20 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, then two nights later on Dec. 22 the two will square off again at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. 

Due to the lockout the NBA decided that a two game preseason would all they could manage, with the two closest teams in geographic proximity facing each other consecutively. Many an NBA fan isn't a huge fan of the preseason, but considering everything going on this year, I'd take any semblance of NBA action at this point. 

And for those who can't wait, here's the official Christmas Day schedule: 

9 a.m. PT (TNT) : Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks 

11:30 a.m. PT (ABC) : Miami Heat @ Dallas Mavericks 

2 p.m. PT (ABC) : Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers

5 p.m. PT (ESPN) : Orlando Magic @ Oklahoma City Thunder

7:30 p.m. PT (ESPN) : Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State Warriors