The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks in an NBA regular season game on Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 (12/25/20) at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Fans can watch the event for free with a trial of fuboTV.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NBA Regular Season
WHO: Mavericks vs. Lakers
When: Friday, December 25, 2020
Or: Staples Center
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV:ABC
Channel finder: Verizon Fios, AT&T to U, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, coxswain, DIRECTV, Plate, Hulu, fuboTV, Sling.
Direct: fuboTV (free try)
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After the Los Angeles Lakers secured their championship rings, the Los Angeles Clippers gave a performance that showed this revamped team is determined to fight for its own jewels months from now.
Paul George scored 26 of 33 points in the second half, Kawhi Leonard added 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers edged past the Los Angeles Lakers on NBA Champions Ceremony Night for a 116-109 win on Tuesday.
George went 13 of 18 with five 3-pointers in a stellar first game since agreeing to add four years and $190 million to his contract with the Clippers, who never trailed in the last meeting of the two NBA powerhouses from Southern California. The Clippers beat the Lakers in the season opener for the second straight year while earning coach Tyronn Lue’s debut.
The Clippers stayed in their locker room while the Lakers received their rings, but they emerged with purpose and determined play – from their two superstars in particular.
“Our focus was on us,” Lue said. “The Lakers, they deserved that ring. They had a great year and you can’t take anything away from them. Our focus wasn’t really on the Lakers. They were the best team last year, so congratulations to them again, but now we’re moving on.
LeBron James scored 22 points and Anthony Davis had 18 for the Lakers just 72 days after finishing the Miami Heat in the NBA bubble. James said he had “turned the ankle quite well” in the second half, taking him to play just 28 minutes.
“I’m happy today is over and we can focus on the season, but it’s a lot to process,” James said. “It was weird having a basketball game today.”
The Lakers returned from the shortest offseason in league history and celebrated the 17th franchise title, but they couldn’t keep up with George and Leonard over time. Lakers coach Frank Vogel also limited James’ playing time and kept Davis at 31 minutes, anticipating the long stretch ahead for his veterans after a 10-week offseason.
“It’s not ideal, but I think there’s a need to manage these guys’ minutes the right way,” Vogel said. “Getting through this period healthy is a priority, and assessing how our new guys are adjusting is a priority when we haven’t had normal weather to do so. The five guys on the floor have to be better than they were tonight.
Serge Ibaka scored 15 points in his debut for the Clippers, who hadn’t played since blowing a 3-1 playoff lead in Denver and ruining a much-anticipated conference final showdown with the Lakers in waiting in the bubble. The collapse led to the departure of coach Doc Rivers and Lue came off the bench to take charge of a star-studded squad with several new additions.
The Lakers fell 22 points behind a ringside hangover in the first quarter, but erased all but two points from the deficit in the second. The Clippers pulled out late in the third with George burning a one-on-one defender streak. He scored 11 more points in the fourth to seal it.
“We don’t think about last year,” Leonard said. “It’s a different team. I’m just glad we kept playing basketball the right way. Even though we lost our minds, we turned around and continued to play basketball. We led our attack, and that’s what we’re proud of tonight. Everyone was supporting each other and staying positive.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
