Things are going to get interesting at Staples Center today. The reigning two-time NBA champion Miami Heat arrive to take on center Pau Gasol and the hometown Los Angeles Lakers in a nationally televised 5 p.m game. You can also watch the game online via ESPN's live stream here.

When the NBA schedule was put together this Christmas Day game was originally envisioned as a marquee matchup between the game's two best players, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. NBA commissioner David Stern must feel like he received a lump of coal for the holidays upon hearing that Bryant fractured his knee and is out six weeks.

The Lakers can only hope that LeBron James has an off day as their starters have been beleaguered with injuries. Two-time MVP point guard Steve Nash has only played in 6 games for the purple and gold. Forward Xavier Henry has moved over to point guard, but being that it's not his everyday position one can't expect too much. Shooting Guard Bryant has also only played in six games. This is Bryant's second injury this season. He previously suffered through a torn Achilles and made his long awaited return against the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 8.

While the Lakers are patched up and hanging on by a thread, the Miami Heat is rolling. With a 21-6 record that is good for second in the Eastern Conference, the Heat have a lot of good fortune. Injuries have been minor and Dwayne Wade's troublesome knees haven't flared up yet. LeBron James has been playing with a sore back, but his toughness is perhaps his greatest asset.

If the Lakers are to have a fighting chance they need to play small ball. Miami isn't a prototypical NBA team in that they don't have any 7 footers on the court. Center Greg Oden is 7 feet tall, but he hasn't played in an NBA game since 2009 and Miami is taking a wait-and-see approach with him. Also, the Heat are among the most athletic squads in the league. They can really push the ball down the court all game long. When Wade and James are locked in they are simply unstoppable. They usually have highlight reel dunks and passes that cannot be defended.

Defensively power forward and part time center Chris Bosh is also a big factor the Lakers have to be weary of. When it comes to pick and roll defense few are better than Bosh when it comes to plugging up lanes to the basket. Chris "Birdman" Andersen is also a defensive stalwart for the Heat. He can shoot the ball pretty well too.

Overall, don't expect the Lakers to win. That would take a Christmas miracle and Lady Luck clearly isn't on the Lakers' side. Yes, they have played admirably in attaining a nearly .500 13-15 win-loss record, but they aren't prepared for the three-headed monster of Bosh, James and Wade.

Who are you pulling for? Let us know in the comments section below.