New Orleans Pelicans excited to play on Christmas Day

For the first time since becoming the New Orleans Pelicans, rising star Anthony Davis and his team will play on Christmas Day. The Pelicans will take on the Heat in Miami, and the honor of playing on Christmas Day is not lost on Peilicans players.

''This is my first time and I think it's pretty cool,'' said point guard Jrue Holiday after Wednesday night's 115-89 victory against the Phoenix Suns. ''Again, it is another big game, another game we have to win to keep the streak going. But yes, it's a holiday game.''

Holiday, who has never played on Christmas Day in his seven-plus years in the NBA, had some pretty sharp reasoning as to why the NBA scheduled the Pels to plays Friday.

''We got Christmas Day because of Anthony (Davis),'' Holiday said, laughing. ''I think everybody knows why. I'm not offended, but it's pretty cool to play on Christmas.''

Davis, who will also be playing his first Christmas Day game, is simply focused on the task at hand.

''We just want to win,'' Davis said. ''It's definitely not a playoff game, but we know all the hype around the Christmas Day games and it's kind of a big deal. But we definitely going to play like it's a regular game, You get too amped up that it's Christmas Day and I need to shoot all my shots."

The 9-19 Pelicans take on the 16-11 Heat at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Christmas Day.