Sizzling Clippers, Kobe vs. Knicks and a Finals rematch all highlighting NBA's Christmas slate

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. Los Angeles won in overtime 118-115. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

Los Angeles Clippers' head coach Vinny Del Negro calls out signals from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) (The Associated Press)

The NBA's hottest team will be playing at home in Los Angeles, and it's the Clippers, not the Lakers.

There's a finals rematch in Miami, a holiday matinee in Brooklyn, Kobe vs. the Knicks and the 20th anniversary of one of Michael Jordan's most memorable games in Chicago.

Welcome to Christmas, NBA style.

A five-game slate makes up the NBA's Christmas schedule, which this year comes with the additional bonus of not being the first day back after a lockout forced the cancellation of the opening portion of last season.

Schedule-makers set the matchups long ago, and the league always tries to get some marquee meetings.

This year, they pretty much struck gold.