Said Rivers: "One of the things I did before the season, the league has the coaches send in rules suggestions, I said one of the packages of winning the title is you should get the ring, the trophy, and a guaranteed home date on Christmas Day."

Put it in a letter to Santa.

Trivia time

When was the last time the Lakers and Celtics played on Christmas Day?

Cry me a Rivers

Of course, Rivers would never dream of using the NBA schedule as a motivational tool for a game that needs no coach-speak gimmicks . . . or windmills to tilt at . . . or . . .

"I'm sure arena availability probably had something to do with it," Rivers told the Boston Globe. "It's not just they wanted to play it in L.A., but as a coach, I'll make it that way."

Pittsburgh Grinches

In Philadelphia, they boo Santa Claus. In Pittsburgh, they ban him.

Bill DiFabio, a Pennsylvania sports announcer, did his annual Christmas bit this week, dressing up as Santa Claus for a Pittsburgh Steelers news conference. It's a light-hearted tradition that former Steelers coach Bill Cowher always accepted. Coach Mike Tomlin quickly tired of the bit.

After several minutes, DiFabio asked Tomlin to pass him a football. "If that will get you out of here," said Tomlin, who then went on with his critical analysis of the 11-4 Steelers' finale against the 4-11 Cleveland Browns.

Later, the Steelers announced that Santa was no longer welcome at their news conferences.

No word on whether Tomlin was visited by three ghosts.

Trivia answer

In 1970, when the Lakers handled Boston's Big Three (John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Don Nelson) in a 123-113 victory.

And finally

From the website Fark.com: "Angels GM says team has no interest in Manny Ramirez. That leaves Bingo Long's Traveling All-Stars, the King and His Court, and the lowballing Dodgers as interested parties."

-- Chris Foster