2009 NBA Finals Preview: Lakers Vs. Celtics

You saw it on Christmas Day — a preview of the 2009 NBA Finals.

The Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Can it get any better than that?

Those of you who disagree, face the facts. These two teams are the best in the league. They are going to the NBA Finals, unless there’s some crazy late-season meltdown by either team. But I don’t see that happening. These teams are just too solid.

The game on Christmas Day did three things for NBA fans around the globe.

1. Gave us a great NBA match up, which we haven’t seen since the summer of the NBA Finals.

2. Showed us why these two teams are destined to meet again next summer in the NBA Finals.

3. Revived a long-heated rivalry that’s been around since the 1960s. The Lakers and the Celtics have met 11 times in the finals (with the Celtics going 9-2).

For NBA fans out there, whatever Santa may have brought you yesterday hardly compared to what the NBA gave you — a reason to watch and get excited about professional basketball again.