Homework didn't stop over the Christmas break for the children of Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick. Before Thursday's 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets, Redick told reporters he and his wife asked their two sons to pen "persuasive essays" in order to receive their biggest gifts.

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick lit into his team after its Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets, and then ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins lit into Redick.

"Tonight we were a terrible basketball team," Redick said after Thursday’s 119-96 loss to Houston, a third-straight blowout defeat.

An NBA insider floats a potential Anthony Davis reunion trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

Until it was good, the Lakers’ flaws never appeared on the surface. But since starting 15-4, the team has collapsed. Christmas Day was another showcase for their downward spiral.

In a recent interview, JJ Redick expressed concern about the lack of "championship habits" that is hindering the Lakers' success.

The team took its third straight loss Thursday in a one-sided affair, an outcome made worse by rising star Austin Reaves exiting the game with another calf injury. The Rockets led by double-digits for the entire second half and outrebounded the Lakers 48-25.