Heat vs. Lakers: Major Storylines for Thursday Night Showdown

Prior to the 2012-13 NBA Season, one had to think that, in all likelihood, the most important meeting between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers would take place during Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Unfortunately, things haven't quite gone according to plan.

Sure, the Heat started their title defense strong, and began the season by winning just 12 of 15, and the Lakers boasted a Dream Team-like cast of Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and of course Kobe Bryant.

But since then, neit...

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