NBA Finals Preview - Boston vs. LA Lakers

One of the greatest rivalries in sports will be renewed in the 2008 NBA Finals, as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers battle in a best-of-seven series.

The first two games of the series will be played at TD Banknorth Garden, while Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) will take place at the Staples Center. If the set goes to a sixth and seventh game, Boston would host those contests.

This is the 11th time these storied franchises will square off in the championship round. Boston has won eight of the 10 previous matchups in the finals. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984. However, LA has won the last two meetings as it beat Boston in six games in 1985 and 1987.

Some of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of sneakers have participated in this historic rivalry. Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Dennis Johnson, John Havlicek, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Bill Russell are some of the great Celtics who have been part of the intense championship battles between these two squads, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Jamaal Wilkes and James Worthy were there for the Lakers.

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