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Lakers-Celtics second clash in two years
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-03 09:36
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Two years after being outmuscled and outplayed in the NBA Finals by their arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics, the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers have a perfect opportunity for redemption, starting this week.
The two heavyweight teams, who have a combined 32 NBA titles, will play a mouth-watering, best-of-seven championship series for a 12th time with Game One set for Thursday (Friday, Beijing time) at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
The Lakers have come a long way since their humiliation in 2008 when they were mauled 131-92 by the Celtics in the decisive Game Six at Boston Garden.
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They went on to win the 2009 NBA championship, outclassing the Orlando Magic 4-1, and stiffened their defense during the off-season by acquiring volatile forward Ron Artest from the Houston Rockets.
Artest, a formidable defender known for his physical presence, is likely to guard Boston's Paul Pierce in the upcoming series, an intriguing match-up between two players who are six-foot seven.
The Lakers also have the advantage of seven-foot center Andrew Bynum, who two years ago was sidelined with a knee injury. Although Bynum is still struggling with injuries, he has been ever-present in the playoffs and will start on Thursday.
All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, Spanish forward Pau Gasol and veteran Derek Fisher complete the Lakers starting unit, each of them members of the team humiliated by the Celtics in 2008.
"We'll see how much we have matured," Bryant said after the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 111-103 on Saturday to win the Western Conference championship series 4-2.
"It's a great challenge for us to see how much we've improved, how much we've gotten better, to be able to go up against this team in a playoff series."
Asked how much he was spurred on by memories of the 2008 NBA Finals, Bryant replied: "The challenge is to win the championship. The Celtics are in the way. They feel the same way about us.
"Last time we played them, it was a great learning experience for us. It taught us what it takes to be a champion. With the defensive intensity they play with, the tenacity they play with, we learned a great deal in that series."
Reuters
