Many believed that the pairing of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash with Kobe Bryant would put them on the same level as the defending champion Miami Heat, but things don't always go as they plan.
The Big Three in Miami of Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James get their first look at the new look Lakers Thursday at 10:30 pm E.T.
Watch Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers live stream, click here.
The Heat are coming off a blowout 92-75 victory over the Golden State Warriors on what was a historic night for James.
The three-time league MVP -- at 28 years, 17 days -- became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points, and also surpassed 5,000 assists, compiling 25 and 10 to go along with seven boards. Bryant held the previous record, reaching 20,000 points at 29 years, 122 days.
"It means everything," said James, averaging 30.0 points over his last six road games against the Lakers. "It means a lot. First of all, like I continue to say, it means I've been able to be healthy. To be out on the floor and do what I love to do, I love the game of basketball and I try to give everything to the game. And hopefully it continues to give back to me."
James is just the 38th player to reach the 20,000-point mark.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have won six of its last seven matchups against East foes, is 7-0 at home when Howard scores at least 22.
Howard had 22 points and 14 rebounds in his first game back since missing three due to a torn labrum as the Lakers beat Cleveland 113-93 on Sunday, then posted 31 and 16 two nights later in a 104-88 win over Milwaukee. Bryant also came up big with 31 points against the Bucks.
The Lakers are currently 11th in the western conference with a 17-21 record.
