Chicago to host Lakers on Christmas Day
By Jacob Rude
The Lakers have always been one of the premier draws on Christmas Day, typically featured as the highlighted game. This year, the team will not be playing in Los Angeles, but will still have a game on the day as they’ll reportedly travel to Los Angeles to battle the Bulls.
"“Not sure if this has been out there, but radio in Chicago just said Bulls will host Lakers on Christmas Day.”– Brett Pollakoff"
The game will also be dominated by the bigger storyline of Pau Gasol likely facing his old team for the first time in the season. Gasol played for the Lakers for seven seasons, helping them to three Finals appearances and two titles. This summer, he turned down a couple offers from the Lakers to join a contending team in the Bulls.
On the Lakers side, it will be the return of Carlos Boozer to Chicago. Boozer spent four seasons in Chicago, averaging 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in that time frame. In his first year in Chicago, Boozer and the Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals before being downed by the Heat. The team never made it back, losing Derrick Rose the following year and battling injuries after that.
Interestingly, the Lakers have hosted a Christmas day every season since 2006-07, when they traveled to the Heat. Last season, they hosted the Miami Heat, losing 101-95. In their stretch of home Christmas games, the Lakers are 3-4, having lost 4 of their last five.
As always, the stakes will be high. By Christmas, the Lakers playoff chances will be pretty well known, and a game on national television against a team as good as the Bulls will be a big test for them.
Let us know below if you think the Lakers can win on Christmas Day!