Returning their core players, most notably All-Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are favored to defend their title.

The Boston Celtics will be looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season when they meet the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday — when the league celebrates Christmas with games for the 77th time — the league’s oldest player and brightest young star will be big parts of the holiday showcase.

The Boston Celtics suffered a narrow loss to the Magic in Orlando on Monday, and they’ll look to get back on track with a home victory over a surging 76ers team fresh off a win. My 76ers vs. Celtics predictions expect Joel Embiid to have a strong performance but Boston to prevail in a low-scoring contest. Read my NBA picks for December 25.

Philadelphia 76ers forward KJ Martin will miss at least two weeks after an MRI revealed a stress reaction in his left foot, the team announced Tuesday, according to PHLY Sports' Kyle Neubeck.Martin sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of Monday's 111-106 win against the San Antonio Spurs.

The showdown between Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama was the headline for Monday's NBA slate. So much for that. The Philadelphia 76ers big man was