Hi, my family are visiting US from Australia in Nov/Dec and we are keen to go to a Basketball game while we are there. The game we would most like to go to is on Christmas Day, at 2pm at Staples Centre - LA Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers. I would want the cheapest seats - is it necessary to get these in advance, or would they still be available to purchase on the day? Also, can anyone tell me which section of the Staples Centre is the best for the cheaper tickets?? Thanks for your help.

That will be a very tough ticket in any section, since Lebron James and Shaq are coming to LA. You will pay a premium, if there are even tickets available.

Below is an outside exchange that has nothing to do with the Lakers or the NBA. For that game they show just single tickets at prices that are way above face value and will probably go higher as the game approaches.

http://www.stubhub.com/los-angeles-l...25-2009-870331

Check the Los Angeles Clipper schedule, nobody goes to those games.

Adu is spot on - the Lakers will be a tough ticket to get anytime, but especially when those particular 'foes' are in town. The Clipper, not so much

As for the Kings, I don't know whether they regularly sell out, BUT, they are having their best season in years, and the Blackhawks are a very popular team, so I would think this game in particular will sell out, even if other don't. I'd get the tickets in advance.

" . . . is it necessary to get these in advance, or would they still be available to purchase on the day?"

That is probably the single most anticipated NBA game of the entire season. (just regular run-of-the-mill Laker games sell out - this one will sell out like last August) Cavs vs Lakers -- on Christmas Day, no less!

The two teams meet only twice a regular season - once in each city, so this will be the hottest ticket of the whole year in LA. Even IF you could get tickets, and even IF you could get tickets in the far upper sections, they would be at several times face value.

So 1) give up on your idea, or 2) be prepared to pay ticket brokers hundreds/thousands of $$$$ (depending on how many tix you need).

So - no, in practical terms, you can't go to that game -- but your hotel will probably have a lovely flat panel TV to watch it . . . .

Thanks guys - silly me!! Basketball is not big business in Australia - we are more a football kind of country!! I think the clippers will be more our speed - as long as I can purchase one of those big fingers that I see on TV and buy a hotdog I will be happy. Cheers.