Hotels for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers

A regular-season match-up between two Western and Eastern Conference sides, the kind of December fixture that fills out a season rather than defining it. Monday night crowds tend to be a mix of local season-ticket holders and visiting fans who've built a short trip around the game. Expect the usual pre-game build-up around the arena for a couple of hours beforehand, then a game that moves fast — this level of basketball always does. Nothing about the date marks it out as unusual; it's simply a midweek fixture in the thick of the schedule.

In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, Crypto.com Arena is home to the Lakers, Clippers and Kings and a premier stage for major concerts and awards shows. It anchors the lively L.A. Live entertainment complex, ringed by restaurants, bars, cinemas and hotels. The Metro rail network serves nearby stations, a rarity for car-centric LA.

Booking a room downtown lets you walk to the venue through the buzz of L.A. Live and back to your bed afterwards, sidestepping the city's notorious traffic.