Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers open their 2011-2012 NBA season with a familiar role, playing on Christmas Day. The Lakers will host reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day at Staples Center on ABC, the 13th consecutive Christmas game for the purple and gold. Here are the relevant details of Sunday's contest:
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: ABC, with Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, and Heather Cox on the call
Radio: ESPN 710 and the Lakers Radio Network, with John Ireland making his regular season debut as the Lakers' radio play-by-play man.
Home Sweet Home: The Lakers have beaten the Bulls in their last five trips to Staples Center
Record-Setting Christmas: Kobe Bryant will play in his 14th Christmas game on Sunday, surpassing Earl Monroe, Shaquille O`Neal, and Dolph Schayes for most games played on December 25.
All Christmas, All The Time: This is the 13th consecutive Christmas game for the Lakers, who are just 4-8 in those contests.
Openers: The Lakers are 36-15 in their season openers since moving to Los Angeles, including winning seven of their last eight and 17 of their last 19. The Lakers are 34-17 in their home openers in Los Angeles.
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