Lakers Lose to Celtics on Christmas, 126-115. Is New Starting Lineup the Problem?

The Lakers hoped to translate a great win on Saturday in Oklahoma City into success on Christmas at home against the Celtics.

It didn't happen.

The Lakers—you may have heard this before—got off to a very slow start, as the new starting lineup debuted against the Thunder could neither buy a bucket nor prevent one. That's not a good formula against one of the elite teams in the NBA. The Lakers would eventually get their act together, dominating the second quarter, before slowly losing control over the course of the second half. All five Boston starters had at least 18 points, and Kristaps Porzingis was particularly dominant, scoring 28 points while grabbing 11 boards and blocking a pair of shots.

The Lakers, on the other hand, got a spectacular performance from Anthony Davis (40 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and got to the line 10 times. Everyone else? Spotty results. Taurean Prince continues to shoot well, making 5 of his 12 3-point attempts. But there just wasn't enough production everywhere else, particularly as the Lakers allowed Boston to parade to the line in the third, blunting any momentum they tried to create.

After, Darvin Ham noted that while he believes they have the talent to compete with anyone, for that to happen they must pay attention to, and deliver on, the details. They can't have moments where they're beaten down the floor in transition, or make a sloppy pass, or a halfhearted screen. The level of execution must be high. That's true of most teams, but as the margin for error shrinks. it tends to become that much more true.

After the game, the Lakers announced that guard Gabe Vincent will need surgery in his injured knee, and likely miss six to eight weeks. That brings clarity to the rotation, but has short and long terms ramifications.

So now the Lakers get a couple badly needed days off before taking the floor again Thursday at home against the Hornets. Then it's a couple more roadies before the schedule gets more home friendly in January. Certainly feels like the Lakers could use a turn of the calendar.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose on Christmas Day, as the new lineup isn't quite as successful.

SEGMENT 2: Darvin wants more attention to the details.

SEGMENT 3: Is the new lineup worth keeping?

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