Generally speaking they tend to put popular teams on big days........Brazil.......soccer team.....touring.....is b/c they are good at soccer....so many people want to see them...Kobe and Shaq have played on Xmas.....the Lakers are a marquee franchise.....

NBA 2018-19 Christmas Day schedule: Lakers-Warriors, Sixers ...

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/.../nba-2018-19-christmas-day-schedule-lakers-warrior...

Aug 8, 2018 - The NBA schedule for nationally televised games during the first week of the 2018-19 season, along with Christmas Day and Martin Luther ...

NBA 2018-19 schedule release: Christmas Day, season opener, MLK ...

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/.../nba-2018-19-schedule-release-christmas-day-season...

Aug 9, 2018 - The NBA will give us the national TV schedule for a few marquee dates before unveiling the whole thing. ... NBA season-openers, opening week schedule. ... Here is the schedule for the 2018 Christmas Day games, as reported by The New York Times and ESP