Even though this season’s version of the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics isn’t as star-packed as those in years past, it’s still one of the best rivalries in all of professional sports.
So, even though this year both teams appear to be on the downward slope of their dominant past, it’s always fun to look back at some of the historic moments between the two teams and reminisce about the great moments in the Lakers/Celtics rivalry.
To keep things simple we’re simply going to choose from games since 2008, when the majority of these current teams were put together.
Celtics @ Lakers: Dec. 25, 2008
After losing to the Celtics in the NBA Finals the previous season the Lakers were looking for a little revenge on Christmas Day. The Lakers got that revenge, and ultimately won the NBA title six months later.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agMiOY4nUGY
Lakers @ Celtics: Jan. 31, 2010
Ultimately these two teams would meet in the NBA Finals again in 2010, but their regular season matchups were no joke either. In this particular meeting the Lakers won a nail-biter thanks to a game winning bucket from Kobe Bryant.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJapkOndvrs
Next Page: The Big Green
Lakers @ Celtics: Game 6, NBA Finals, 2008
In a game that Laker fans want to forget, the Celtics defeated the Lakers by nearly 40 points en route to their first NBA championship in 20 years. It was, and still is, the greatest margin of victory in a deciding NBA Finals game in league history.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu4VqafW5ZU
Celtics @ Lakers: Game 2, NBA Finals, 2010
With the Lakers leading 1-0 in the series the Celtics used a Ray Allen three-point barrage to tie the series at one game apiece. Allen connected on an NBA Finals record eight three-point shots to tie the series at one as it went back to Boston.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaRrSmlR-4A
Next Page: Gone Fishin’ and Big Baby
Lakers @ Celtics: Game 3, NBA Finals, 2010
After losing Game 2 in L.A. the Lakers were looking to steal home court advantage back from the Celtics. Led by an unlikely hero late in the fourth, the Lakers stole the victory and ultimately the series against the Celtics.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-oxLbAVYaY
Lakers @ Celtics: Game 4, NBA Finals, 2010
Boston needed a win after Fisher’s Game 3 heroics, and they found unlikely heroes of their own. Led by Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis and Nate Robinson, the Celtics tied the series 2-2 and ultimately took the 3-2 series lead in Game 5.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv41bOFJk2w
Next Page: Game 7
Celtics @ Lakers: Game 7, NBA Finals, 2010
The 2010 NBA Finals came down to a decisive Game 7 between the Lakers and Celtics. It wasn’t the most impressive offensive game, but it had plenty of drama. The Lakers came back from a double-digit deficit in the second half to claim the team’s 16th NBA championship, and did so against their most hated rivals.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZCGCqjO5IY