The NFL showcases football on Thanksgiving, and now, the commissioner of the NBA, David Stern, is establishing Christmas Day as the NBA’s gift to hoop fans.

In a bout between the two most dominant teams in the NBA -- I see you LeBron, you are not there just yet -- the Celtics will head to the west coast to take on Kobe and his Lakers. It will be a prime-time rematch of last year’s NBA Finals, and will add another chapter added to the renewed rivalry of the NBA’s two most historic and heralded franchises.

Showcasing the NBA’s brightest stars, the Lakers and Celtics will put forth multiple NBA all-stars, MVPs, and Olympic gold medalists to provide for some unique matchups. The quest for an 18th championship is underway in Boston, while Kobe and Phil Jackson look to replicate the success of the Lakers during the Kobe-Shaq era. Both teams have been at the top of their conferences for the majority of the past two seasons.

Garnett vs. Gasol

Kevin Garnett - 2K9 Ratings: 97 overall, Inside Scoring A, Post Defense A, Basketball I.Q. A+

Garnett is the best defensive player in the league. His leadership, awareness (99 Def. Awareness) and ability to hold others accountable while leading by example are what separate him from everyone else in the world. This guy gives it his all on every night (99 Hustle). His intensity and energy are a constant. The Celtics are undefeated since November 14. He and Coach Tom Thibodeau are the reason why Boston is the number one ranked defense in the NBA the past two seasons. Gasol’s length will aggravate KG’s offensive skill set, but KG’s ability to drive straight into Gasol’s chest will get him to the free-throw line (96 Close Range Scoring). He can also shoot the 18-foot jumper at the top of the key as good as anyone in the Association.

Pau Gasol - 2K9 Ratings: 91 overall, Inside Scoring A-, Post Defense A, Basketball I.Q. A-

Gasol filled a void for the Lakers when young big man Andrew Bynum went down to injury. Gasol is an excellent and legitimate triple threat post player. He can face up opposing defenders who lack his speed and drive on them; he can pass out of the post, or use some of his great footwork and drop in a jump hook (94 Shot in Traffic). The triangle offense flourishes with him on the block with his offensive awareness (90). His ability to bring opposing bigs out of the lane with the range he has on his shot (78 Medium Range Shot) can provide avenues for Kobe to drive the lane. Garnett’s toughness on the boards poses a problem for Gasol at times -- Gasol has been somewhat reluctant to mix it up in the paint. Look for Gasol to be ready with Bynum backing him up this time around.

Kobe Bryant - NBA 2K9 Ratings: 99 Overall, B+ Inside Scoring, B Outside Scoring, A Perimeter Defense, A+ Basketball I.Q.

The Black Mamba has the best basketball skills of any individual in the world. His size, speed, strength and control can break down even the best defense in the NBA (99 Close Range Scoring, 96 Ball Handles, 94 Quickness). The key for Kobe is touching the purple paint. When the Lakers struggled in the NBA Finals, Kobe was constantly swarmed and he either gave up on the play or passed the ball before creating, or he decided to take a contested jump shot outside of 18 feet. He will not be matched up one on one with Pierce; he will see multiple defenses thrown at him. Ray Allen will most likely will start the game covering him, and Pierce and Tony Allen will switch and defend him as well.

If the fourth-quarter assassin shows up to start the game, the Lakers will win. He must get in the paint and create (99 Offensive Awareness) for his team against a team defense that will protect the hoop. Also, with a role reversal of the past few years, Kobe can now expend substantial amounts of energy on defense since he does not have to score at will for his team to win. Kobe can be an all-NBA defensive player when he has to. Look for Ray Allen to be a bit shaken with Kobe in his grill in the first half.

Paul Pierce - NBA 2K9 Ratings: 92 Overall, A- Outside Scoring, B- Inside Scoring, A Basketball I.Q.

Heading back to his home state and the very arena where Shaq officially named him "The f’n Truth," Pierce is highly motivated in front of his hometown family and friends. A determined and hungry Paul Pierce is bad news for the NBA. The Truth (85 Ball Handles, 89 Shot Off-Dribble) is a matchup problem for Odom and Radmanovic because his skill set allows him to drive past taller and bigger defenders. The ideal matchup for the Lakers is to put Kobe on him. Pierce’s constant determination to get to the free-throw line can break a defense down.

Pierce is averaging 7.8 free-throw attempts on just 13 shot attempts per game. Once in the lane, Pierce becomes a facilitator for his offense, much like Kobe is. He can finish with contact as good as anyone in the league (Shot in Traffic 82, 85 Close Range Scoring). Pierce is an underrated dribbler and passer (97 Offensive Awareness) and he will dish to his teammates when his shot is off. He can score inside or out. Also, we cannot underestimate the leadership and toughness Pierce has brought to the defensive side of the ball since the arrival of KG. Pierce is closing out on shooters, crowding them on the perimeter and forcing them into the teeth of the Celtics' defense.

LA is scoring 107.0 points per game, which is the highest in the NBA. Phil Jackson has the benefit of having three very skilled and intelligent basketball players in Kobe (A+ I.Q.), Gasol (A- I.Q.) and Fisher (B I.Q.) as the main components in the triangle. The triangle can be run through Kobe, Gasol or even Odom, who is an excellent passer for a big man. The deadly shooting of Vujacic (89 3-point shooting) and Radmanovic (86 3-point shooting) provide great spacing for the triangle to operate because those two players tend to spot up in corners and wings on the perimeter.

The triangle between three players on the strong side of the court can be used to create give and goes via an entry pass to the post while a guard or forward simultaneously flashes to the hoop. It can also provide a strong two-man game on the weak side, allowing for pick and rolls between Kobe and Gasol. This two man game will force the Celtics to defend Kobe and Gasol man to man because of the threat of the shooters in the corners –- if you help off these shooters, they get clean looks at 3s. Look for Kobe to utilize the on-ball screen from Gasol at the top of the key and on the wings. Kobe likes to do a give and go, and if a defender falls underneath Gasol on the screen, he gets a hand-off right back on a fade for a quick jumper. Gasol also likes to roll hard to the hoop while the defense is on its heels from Kobe’s attack. Like I said before, if Kobe attacks the paint, he is automatic from the free-throw line extended (99 Close Range Scoring, 87 Mid Range Scoring) and is most effective in these areas.

The Celtics do a great job playing help defense and rotating to open shooters. They almost never give up uncontested shots. Look for LA to attempt to get out on the fast breaks to open up some easy scoring opportunities. Gasol and Bynum should be able to beat Perkins down the floor easily.

The 6-foot-10 Lamar Odom (82 Overall) leads a Lakers bench that is arguably the deepest in the NBA. With Odom, Farmar (except for the next few weeks), Vujacic and Ariza, the Lakers can still score points and play uptempo basketball. This is where they will have an advantage over the Celtics.

The Celtics do a great job protecting the paint and the rim, holding opponents to 41.3 percent field-goal percentage a game, which is tops in the league. Garnett (95 Post Defense) and Perkins (B+ Post Defense, B+ Rebounding, 90 Shot-Block Skill) provide toughness on the boards. Look for the Celtics to hedge hard during pick-and-roll situations -- meaning the Celtics help defender comes out and attacks the ball handler forcing him around an extra defender. Leon Powe and Kevin Garnett are ideal for defending the pick and rolls against Kobe and Gasol since both are capable of moving their feet to recover and protect the hoop if Gasol rolls or if Kobe attacks. I expect Allen to start the game on Kobe followed by Pierce and Tony Allen (A- Perimeter Defense). Pierce held Kobe in check during last year’s Finals with his new-found grittiness on the defensive end. The loss of James Posey has yet to surface, but I expect the Celtics to feel his absence against the Lakers' offense if the Truth fails to lock up Kobe.

The Lakers bench should outscore the Celtics bench but they will not provide enough defense to hold down the Big 3 if any starters get tired or find themselves in foul trouble.

The 7-foot 285-pound center Andrew Bynum (88 Overall) will provide some assistance to Gasol in the paint and on the glass (Bynum A- Rebounding). His offensive rebounding and defense will be key component to a victory for LA. Look for Perkins to battle in the trenches with him.

The Celtics energy off the bench with House, Leon Powe and Glenn "Big Baby" Davis will compete with the Lakers bench. The key here is Powe and Big Baby. They will have their hands full, but their strength (88 and 89) will test the Lakers big men.

Simulation Results (12-Minute Quarters)

Lakers 85 Celtics 71

Kobe: 26 Points, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists
Bynum: 14 Points 12, Rebounds
Garnett: 17 Points, 12 Rebounds
R. Allen: 15 points (3-9 3-point FGs)

My Prediction

Celtics 98 Lakers 95

The recent Boston-Atlanta game proves why the Celtics are capable of grinding out games in hostile environments, even when they struggle from the field (2-13 3-point FGs). They are 24-2 this season with 10 straight road wins and 19 in a row overall.

Enjoy the game everyone, and debate this heated showdown until tip-off.