2010 NBA Finals: Laker Girls vs. Celtics Dancers

Here we are, it's the 2010 NBA Finals. For a record 12th time, the Los Angeles Lakers are facing the Boston Celtics.

This time, the Lakers are looking to repeat as champs, while the Celtics are looking to regain the championship that they failed to defend last season.

There are many matchups that we'll be hearing about as the series unfolds but none are more important than the battle of the cheerleaders.

One of the most important questions that should be asked is: Laker Girls or Celtics Dancers?

Which group of cheerleaders will make the most impact and contributions for their respective teams?

Let's find out...

Laker Girls: Years of Tradition

The Laker Girls are bringing with them years of tradition.

They have been in the league since 1979 and have been witness to several years of Lakers playoff success and championships.

Celtics Dancers: New Girls On The Block

The Celtics on the other hand, are new to the cheerleading spotlight.

First coming to the league in 2007, some consider them to be the lucky charm for the Celtics after their 2008 championship run.

Experience Counts: Advantage Laker Girls

Experience counts in this matchup and Laker Girls certainly have the advantage.

NBA Championships overseen by Laker Girls: 9
NBA Championship overseen by Celtics Dancers: 1

Laker Girls: Classic Gold Outfits

Tight shorts certainly attract attention and the Laker Girls have shown us the wonders of Spandex for over 30 years.

Check out how great this group of Laker Girls look in these classic gold outfits.

Did you know that your average NBA cheer squad goes through at least four costume changes in one game?

On any given night at the Staples center, the girls can switch from gold shorts to...

Laker Girls: Purple Cheer Skirts

Purple cheer skirts, to...

Laker Girls: Sequins

Glittery sequins!

Those costumes will definitely catch anyone's eye.

And then another costume change to...

Laker Girls: Back to Gold

Go back to gold.

This time wearing cheer skirts and tank tops.

Celtics Dancers: Wigs and More Sequins

On the opposite coast, the Celtics Dancers have taken their costumes to another level.

Adding flashier outfits and sexy props to their dance routines.

They can go from neon green wigs with shiny silver dresses to..

Celtics Dancers: School Girl Outfits

Naughty school girl outfits! Complete with knee high socks, neckties, and pigtails.

The crowd must have been left speechless after this dance set.

But wait, there's more costumes to change to...

Celtics Dancers: Top Hats

Dancing with top hats. Forget the pom poms!

I guess cheering with top hats is more of a crowd pleaser in Boston.

From black slacks they've been known to switch to...

Celtic Dancers: Jersey Dresses

Knee-high boots and jersey dresses.

No offense KG, but she looks a lot better wearing your jersey than you do.

Costumes and Props: Advantage Celtics Dancers

The Celtics Dancers have the clear advantage over the Laker Girls when it comes to costumes and props.

Their costumes and routines have a lot more style and creativity. Most importantly, their dancers have been able to show a lot of their personality.

The Swimsuit Competition

Yes, these cheerleaders play a big part in entertaining the crowds during home games.

But their cheerleading gigs don't just restrict them to the hardwood. These girls have been known to travel, sometimes in bikinis!

Laker Girls: Dara & Brittney

Dara and Brittney are first-year Laker Girls for the '09-'10 season.

Together they combine to form a killer one-two tandem for the Laker Girls, a la Kobe and Pau.

Laker Girl: Brilane

Miss March on the Laker Girls calender is Brilane, a lifelong Laker fan and Southern California native.

I hear she's quite a ball handler.

Watch more of Dara, Brittney and Brilane here:

Celtic Dancer: Alison

Celtic Dancer, Alison Preston is not stranger to photo shoots.

This rather risque shot was taken for a Playboy pictorial.

Want to see more of Alison?

Celtic Dancer: More Alison

This other photo was taken for a Sports Illustrated shoot.

Alison is a Massachusetts girl and also has a spot on the New England Patriots cheerleading squad.

She's quite the cheerleading superstar.

Swimsuit Contest: Advantage Laker Girls

In the end the trio of Brilane, Brittney and Dara are just too much to face for superstar cheerleader Alison.

Even cheerleaders need to work as a team. One superstar can't do it all, ask LeBron.

Dance Level of Difficulty: Hard

Back to cheerleading on the court.

Here are the Celtics Dancers displaying their flexibility with extremely difficult midair splits...

Dance Level of Difficulty: Easy

In Los Angeles, the Laker Girls look relaxed and laid back, performing Hollywood-style poses as part of their routine.

Driven to Beat Los Angeles

The Boston Celtic Dancers are so anti-Laker, they've incorporated "Gotta Beat LA," t-shirts into their cheers.

They're quite focused.

Rooting for the Lakers

Here is Laker Girl Jessica, although she's as cute as button, she just doesn't seem like she's that into her routine.

While the Celtics Dancers have a purposeful message written on their shirts. Jessica needs to remember that her true purpose is to cheer for LA and cheer against the Celtics.

Even More Flexibility

There goes Alison again, trying to carry her team. Look how effortless her leg reaches for the sky, while the rest of the cheerleading team is visibly struggling with the same move.

Shake, Shake

On the Laker Girls side: more hip and booty shaking.

Even though their moves don't look as hard as the Celtic Dancers, the moves from the Laker Girls look to be in sync and uniform.

Drive & Difficulty: Advantage Celtics Dancers

The Celtics Dancers have definitely exhibited their ability to complete more difficult moves. They've also shown a lot more passion in their cheers.

Advantage: Celtics Dancers

Who Comes Out On Top?

We are nearing the end and we're still knotted up 2-2.

Who is going to come out on top?

The Stats...

It's time to bring out the home court stats.

This year, the Lakers are 9-1 when the Laker Girls are cheering for them at home during the playoffs.

The Celtics are 7-2 when the Dancers are rooting for them at the Boston Garden.

Laker Girls Win!

In a Finals series that's also tied up 1-1, the Boston Celtics have three games to play at home.

Although the Celtics Dancers are a very talented group of cheerleaders, they aren't flawless.

I predict, the Lakers take at least one game in Boston and the Lakers take the series back to Los Angeles.

With the final two games in LA, the Laker Girls with their cheerleading team play and years of tradition will prove to be a very strong homecourt asset for the Lakers team.

The Laker Girls win this extremely close matchup and as a result the Lakers will also bring home the championship trophy.