Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Five Reasons the Heat Will Win on Christmas

Tomorrow's game between the Lakers and Heat in Los Angeles is arguably the most anticipated game of the regular season. In what many have figured will be the prelude to the NBA Finals, it has been circled on many a calendar since the schedule has been released. Will Kobe Bryant and the Lakers show the Miami Heat that they are the reigning champions or will the King announce that it his and his court's turn to reign? Here are five reasons you can expect LeBron to be the one to depart with a smile tomorrow. 

5: Phil Jackson Would Rather Be at Home On Christmas

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 10: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers complains to a referee during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 88-84. NOTE TO USER:

Phil Jackson made waves this week when he made a bit of a stink about the NBA scheduling games on Christian holidays. It could have been zen tricks, it's not past Phil to pull those off, but I think a part of it was true. Jackson doesn't want to be there, he wants to be home with his family. Not that there's anything wrong with that, in fact I think he's got a point. However, it has served as a distraction for both him and his team,  and that might have a marginal effect tomorrow. Marginal might be the difference in the game. 

4: Andrew Bynum Isn't All The Way Back Yet

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Larry Sanders #8 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Staples Center on December 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledg

Andrew Bynum is back but he's not "back!" He's only been scoring seven points and 4.6 rebounds in 16 minutes a game since his return five games ago. If he were all the way back the game might go differently because of the Heat's struggles with big men. The Lakers will still have Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, but it won't be quite enough to get past the Heat on Christmas day. 

3: Chris Bosh Is Starting To Get It Going

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 23: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat puts up a shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 23, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Heat defeated the Suns 95-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Chris Bosh is figuring things out and the others have been figuring out how to work him in. Over the last 11 games Bosh has been averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting over 50 percent from the field. While Wade and James have been the principle players, finding Bosh's role in the offense has been instrumental to the Heat finding their winning ways. 

2: The Heat Are Just Playing Better Than The Lakers

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 23: Mario Chalmers #15 of the Miami Heat drives the ball past Goran Dragic #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 23, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Heat defeated the Suns 95-83. NOTE TO USER: User

Over their last ten games the Heat have just been playing better than the Lakers. They've gone 9-1, and have outscored their opponents by an average of 11.7 points per game against opponents with a .483 winning percentage. The Lakers have gone 8-2 against opponents, outscoring their opponents who have an average winning percentage of .367 by 7.6 points per game. In other words the Heat have been beating better teams by more. They are just playing better coming in. 

1: LeBron and The Heat Just Want It More Than Kobe and The Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Mo Williams #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers exchange words during the game at Staples Center on December 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

While the Lakers and Kobe Bryant are saying that this is just another game, the Heat are making no such claims. I think that Kobe is being truthful when he says that there's nothing special about this game. He's got his sights set on the postseason, not right now. 

LeBron James though wants to take this stage to prove his critics wrong, This game might mean more to James than any game since the playoffs, and maybe more than some of the games against Boston. Look for him to have a huge game. I think that 40 points and a triple double is a realistic possibility. LeBron will lead the Heat to victory on Christmas day because this will be one of the biggest games of his life.