The Los Angeles Lakers play the Portland Trail Blazers on New Year’s Eve, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.
Los Angeles (17-19) is returning to Crypto.com Arena after losing in a disappointing way to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers established a 13-point lead in the second half but again couldn’t maintain it, allowing Memphis to gain momentum and win the game.
Portland (13-22) has been one of the most disappointing teams this season. The franchise once again failed to build around Damian Lillard. The Trail Blazers are on the outside of the playoffs looking in right now, and it doesn’t help that C.J. McCollum (lung) and several other important players, including Jusuf Nurkic, are in the league’s health and safety protocol.
With Nurkic, Cody Zeller and Robert Covington out, the Blazers could slot Larry Nance Jr. at center. That would allow the Lakers to revisit the lineup with LeBron James starting at the 5. James did not play when the teams first faced off in Portland. Portland blew out L.A. in that one.
Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:
- Date: Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: NBA TV, Spectrum SportsNet, Root Sports Northwest
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
Probable starting lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
- Russell Westbrook
- Avery Bradley
- Malik Monk
- Stanley Johnson
- LeBron James
Portland Trail Blazers
- Damian Lillard
- Norman Powell
- Nassir Little
- Tony Snell
- Larry Nance Jr.
