NBA to unveil key games during TV special on Tuesday

NEW YORK -- The NBA will release its opening week and Christmas Day schedules during an hourlong TV special Tuesday.

NBATV officials said Friday their network will host a program at 7 p.m. EDT, at which time it will unveil the slate of games for 'Tip-off '10,' plus the Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr. holidays.

The full NBA schedule will be released on Aug. 10. This is the first time the league has released portions of it early.

The reason is likely because of the anticipation for the debut and marquee games involving Miami's new trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.