5 p.m. on TNT, “NBA Basketball” — A battle of marquee teams from big markets goes down tonight at Madison Square Garden, where Carmelo Anthony and the Atlantic Division-leading New York Knicks will defend home court from Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, a reloaded team that has struggled in the early going. The second game of the TNT doubleheader sees Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs visiting LaMarcus Aldridge and the Portland Trail Blazers.

6 p.m. on NGC, “Rocket City Rednecks” — In the new episode ‘‘Rocket-Powered Pickup,’’ the Rednecks want to create a cheap, reusable rocket-powered truck, and Travis thinks he has the answer: a hybrid rocket engine. Then in ‘‘Superhero Super Suit,’’ the guys create their own superhero outfit from a pair of old vacuum cleaners, a barbecue grill and a bunch of spray foam.

8 p.m. on % (, “Up All Night” — Chris and Reagan (Will Arnett, Christina Applegate) are looking forward to giving Amy her first glimpse of snow, but their attempt to do so doesn’t go as planned. Scott (Luka Jones) helps Ava (Maya Rudolph) plan Christmas on a budget in the new episode ‘‘First Snow.’’

8 p.m. on (CW), “The Vampire Diaries” — Stefan and Caroline (Paul Wesley, Candice Accola) clash with Tyler (Michael Trevino) over his plans for Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and the hybrids, and Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) makes it clear that she’s not on board with Caroline’s proposed solution. Elena and Damon (Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder) try to help Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) fight some demons. Shane (David Alpay) reveals a shocking piece of history.

9 p.m. on *, “Glee” — Seemingly separate storylines come together as one holiday-themed new episode. Sam and Brittany (Chord Overstreet, Heather Morris) live their lives to the fullest before the much-heralded Mayan Apocalypse occurs; Jake and Puck (Jacob Artist, Mark Salling) spend quality sibling time together for Hanukkah, Artie (Kevin McHale) has a holiday dream that changes his outlook; and Kurt (Chris Colfer) has a Christmas he’ll never forget in ‘‘Glee, Actually.’’

9 p.m. on (CW), “Beauty and the Beast” — Catherine’s (Kristin Kreuk) father (Rob Stewart) is getting married, and the bride and bridesmaids are trying to find her a date for the wedding. She explains that she’s seeing someone and tells Vincent (Jay Ryan) she wishes he could accompany her.

11 p.m. on FX, “The League” — When he dates his interior decorator, Andre (Paul Scheer) learns that his old loft has been purchased by none other than Deion Sanders. Rafi (Jason Mantzoukas) teams up with Dirty Randy (Seth Rogen) to get ready for the end of the world in the new episode ‘‘12.12.12.’’