The Los Angeles Lakers' affinity for football continues in the 2019-20 NBA regular season. Superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are usually the ones pretending to throw pigskin during pre-game huddles, but their fellow veterans Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard got into the act as well.

Prior to tip-off of the Lakers' match against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on Sunday, Rondo and Howard messed around a bit and challenged the defense of Quinn Cook and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Howard got his money's worth, as he clipped both Cook and Caldwell-Pope while also bringing down Rondo in the process.

The Lakers, meanwhile, are certainly on a festive mood as they ended their uncharacteristic four-game slump on Saturday with a 128-120 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Both Howard and Rondo has been big for the Lakers this year, with the former holding the fort as the team's enforcer off the bench while the latter assisting James in playmaking duties for coach Frank Vogel's offense.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Adou Thiero talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Los Angeles Lakers 2025 NBA Draft grade for No. 36 pickDavid Yapkowitz ·
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka at press conference at UCLA Health Training Center.
Lakers draft SEC star after trade with TimberwolvesAlex House ·
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka speaks with president of basketball operations Magic Johnson at Honda Center.
Magic Johnson makes ’30, 40 years’ declaration on new Lakers owner Mark WalterJackson Stone ·
The player Los Angeles Lakers must avoid in NBA free agency
The player the Lakers must avoid in 2025 NBA free agencyRB Hayek ·
Air Jordan 4 Lakers, Air Jordan 4 release, Lakers Air Jordan
Air Jordan 4 ‘Lakers’ announced for 2026 All-Star WeekendDominik Zawartko ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) defends Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the first quarter at United Center.
Bill Simmons piles on Bulls for Lakers tradePreston Byers ·

Howard is averaging 6.8 points and 7.0 rebounds entering Sunday's game, while Rondo is putting up 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game for the Lakers.

—

Follow ClutchPoints on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook. We can also be found on Flipboard where you can subscribe and follow us.

All of our NBA content can be found on the NBA section of the ClutchPoints home page here. For all of our college basketball content, click here.

Follow NBA games live by downloading the ClutchPoints App and heading to the scores tab under the NBA section.

You can listen and subscribe to the Battle for LA podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. You can also find new episodes of Battle for LA, the ClutchPoints NBA Podcast, and Establish the Pass under the Podcast tab on the ClutchPoints home page.