Halftime Hype

Despite the fact that December 25 is more than two months away, hype for the yule-tide Lakers-Heat showdown has already begun. For the Los Angeles Lakers, the team will want to avenge last year's epic letdown to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. On the other hand, the Miami Heat would love to see Lakers fans boo their home team and throw foam fingers on the court in the midst of a blowout.

"Last year, we fell all over ourselves," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of the Lakers' loss.

Of course, Jackson also views the game as a drag.

"This game is always a game we're not excited about," he said. "We know Christmas is a very tough day to play on. Our players, they're usually coming back from a road trip. They have families, little kids, and it's all part of the experience."

Indeed, the Lakers did not have a merry Christmas last season. However, things will likely turn out differently as the Christmas Day matchup is arguably the most anticipated regular season game in NBA history. Not only are the Lakers a better team, but they understand the significance of the game.

With that said, regular season games - even a Christmas Day battle of epic proportions - always mean less to a team coached by Jackson. Furthermore, those who see the game as a barometer between two title favorites should think again. The Lakers fall to the Cavaliers did not foreshadow anything whatsoever, as L.A. won their sixteenth franchise title, while Cleveland only managed to advance past the first round. In the end, the Lakers will surely give it their best effort, but don't take anything from the game other than a modification to the team's record.