Watch Miami vs L.A Lakers on 10:30 PM ET, December 4, 2009.

Currently enjoying a home-heavy stretch full of subpar opponents, Phil Jackson said the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers would get a better idea of where they stand when they face the Miami Heat.

Miami, however, has hardly looked like a litmus test for anyone lately.

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers look to add to their NBA-best record with an eighth straight victory Friday night at Staples Center against Dwyane Wade and the Heat, losers of seven of their last 11.

Los Angeles (14-3) was handed a peculiar schedule to start the season, playing 17 of its first 21 games at home as it begins defense of its NBA title. The champions have taken advantage thus far, beginning and ending November with six-game winning streaks.