Christmas brings us a highly anticipated rematch of last season's riveting NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Both teams have started off the 2008-09 season red hot as the Celtics head to LA with a franchise record 19-game winning streak and a 27-2 start to the season.

The Lakers, on the other hand, come into this game with a 14-1 record at Staples Center and a 23-5 record overall. Some NBA experts figured that coming off their NBA Championship the Celtics would come into the season a little flat, but that has not been the case as they are outscoring opponents by 10.9 points per contest for second best point differential in the NBA.

The "Big Three" has continued their dominance, combining for 53.3 points per game, but the rise of Rajon Rondo has been the biggest reason why the team is doing so well through a third of the season -- many think the Celtics are even better this year. Rondo has improved his PPG, RPG, APG, and SPG each of the last two seasons and is now one of three players in the NBA averaging at least 10 PPG, 5 RPG, 7APG and 2 SPG. The other two are Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade, so he is in good company.

Another spot where the Celtics haven't missed a beat is a defensive stopper off the bench. Last season, James Posey was a huge part of what the Celtics did and could always come into the game and play defense against the opposing team's best player. This season that role has mainly been given to Tony Allen, who has done a great job defensively -- he is looking close to full strength after ACL surgery in January of 2007.

On the Lakers side we see a team winning in a different way, which is part of the reason this Christmas Day matchup is so appealing. The Lakers arguably have the most athletically gifted team. Even when going to their bench they have lots of playmakers.

Coming off a road win against New Orleans, things seem to have been straightened out after their first losing streak of the season when they lost at Miami and at Orlando. Kobe Bryant finally seems to be heating up as he is averaging 28.2 PPG in December.

The key to this team is to wear opponents down with what is widely considered to be one of the best benches in the NBA as they bring Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Sasha Vujacic, and the now-injured Jordan Farmar, who will be out until the All-Star break off the pine.

As both teams head into this showdown, it's clear the Celtics have been the more consistent team so far this season. Kevin Garnett has his squad playing a team-oriented brand of basketball with an amount of intensity most teams have a hard time matching in the playoffs -- let alone in the regular season.

Even though the Celtics beat the Lakers in the Finals last year, they still feel like they have a lot to prove as during the offseason they heard about how they wouldn't repeat and the loss of James Posey would cost them down the stretch in some games. This is the biggest regular season game to date for both teams and to this point the Celtics look like they are on a mission to prove that nothing has changed and they are still the best team in the NBA.

Take the Celtics. They have been playing better team basketball and are coming into this one on a 19-game winning streak, which is nothing to sneeze at. Also take the over as both teams offensive execution has been spectacular as of late.

PREDICTION:
BOSTON CELTICS 111
LOS ANGELES LAKERS 107