Luka vs. LeBron: Mavs to Face Lakers in Dallas on Christmas Day
The last time the Dallas Mavericks hosted a Christmas Day game, championship rings were being handed out and a banner was being raised into the American Airlines Center rafters ... and Jason Kidd was still playing for Dallas, not coaching.
Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs beat the LeBron James-led Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals, and the league scheduled a rematch on Christmas after a two-month lockout due to CBA negotiations. Miami ended up winning 105-94 in a contest that wasn't nearly as close as the final score might indicate.
Eleven years later, Dallas will finally have another Christmas Day game at home, and yes, it features James yet again. This one will be a star-studded battle fans won't want to miss.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Luka Doncic and the Mavs are set to take on James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 25.
"The first draft of next season's NBA schedule has Lakers at Dallas/LeBron at Luka on Christmas Day, league sources tell me," Stein tweeted. "Changes are still possible before the full schedule officially drops next week but Christmas games usually hold."
James' teams used to have the Mavs' number ever since the 2011 title, but in the last two seasons, the Mavs have a 4-2 record against the Lakers. Last year, two of the three matchups between the Mavs and Lakers were decided by five points or less.
James got the best of Doncic on Dec. 15 in Dallas, as the Lakers won in overtime, 107-104. However, Doncic got his revenge in Los Angeles on March 1, as he hunted James down the stretch en route to a thrilling 109-104 victory. That game also featured one of the most iconic moments of the Mavs' season, as Doncic went soaring for a put-back dunk over Dwight Howard.
For Mavericks and Lakers fans, Christmas has come early this year with this news.
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