1. 2008 vs. Boston Celtics
When the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics face off, it draws a huge audience. The two cross-country rivals had great matchups throughout the ’80s with Magic Johnson leading Showtime against Larry Bird and company.
The rivalry was renewed in the late 2000s when the teams faced off again in the NBA Finals. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals in six games. As the NBA Finals participants, the two sides faced off on Christmas Day that year and had another memorable game.
Boston entered the game on a 19-game winning streak, not losing for almost six weeks. The Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, with Rajon Rondo at point guard were rolling. That winning streak was put on the line against the Lakers, who would snap it that day.
Los Angeles defeated Boston 92-83. It isn’t as nice as winning the NBA Finals, but the Lakers got some sweet revenge snapping Boston’s winning streak. Kobe Bryant had a great game with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Every starter except Andrew Bynum had at least five assists, as the offense was humming throughout the night.
Given the streak-snapping win, and the victory being the 1,000th in Jackson’s career, this is the most memorable moment in Lakers’ history on Christmas Day. The Lakers would truly exact their revenge in 2010 when they got their rematch with the Celtics in the NBA Finals and defeated them in seven games.