The NBA owners and players reached a tentative agreement early saturday morning to end the 149 day lockout and to begin a 66 game season on Christmas Day.

There are still specifics that need to be ironed out but both sides are optimistic that this handshake agreement will come to pass and the season will start December 25th.

The 2011-2012 season will begin in style with a Christmas Day triple header. The Boston Celtics will travel to MSG to take on the New York Knicks, followed by the Miami Heat at the Dallas Mavericks in a Finals rematch, and closing things out the Chicago Bulls visit the Los Angeles Lakers.