LeBron James is expected to return on Christmas Day to the lineup of the Los Angeles Lakers, who are coming off their most one-sided defeat of the NBA season. James missed a 128-104 loss to the visiting Denver Nuggets on Sunday because of a strained chest muscle. The defeat was the third straight loss for the first place Lakers, who are also hoping that Anthony Davis can suit up on Wednesday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers in one of five Christmas Day NBA contests.