Lakers-Celtics Finals Rematch Would See a Celtics Repeat

We are only a quarter through the 2008-09 NBA season, but fans and analysts are already anticipating a Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics Finals rematch. The Celtics are an NBA-best 19-2 with a league best 11-game winning streak, while the Lakers are by far best in the West, sitting at 16-2.

There are very few teams that stand in the way between these two rivals. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-3, 10-0 at home) seem to have enough firepower to challenge the Celtics in the East, while the Lakers already appear to be running away with their second Western Conference championship.

David Stern and fans would be looking at a dream rematch, barring upsets or injuries, which begs the question: Who would win the championship rematch between the Lakers and Celtics?

Only time will give a definitive answer in June, 2009. But if the NBA Finals were to start today between these two teams, the Celtics would be celebrating a championship repeat over the Lakers in six games.

The Celtics have relied on the “Big Three” in Kevin Garnet, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, along with strong team defense, to give them the NBA’s best record. They are holding opponents to a league-best 89.7 points per game while winning by an average margin of 9.4 points.

Rajon Rondo is playing at a very high level, averaging career highs in assists (7.7), steals (2.2), rebounds (4.8), and field-goal percentage (52.5 percent). Rondo is also pushing the ball exceptionally well, scoring on easy layups or finding open teammates in transition.

And despite losing James Posey, last year’s key role player and possibly the best perimeter defender, this year’s role players have stepped up their play and are playing at a high level.  

The Lakers have looked dominant in their first 18 games, averaging a league-best 108.6 points per game while outscoring the opponents by 12.2 points. They also lead the league in steals and are second in rebounding.

The starting lineup features Pau Gasol and a healthy Andrew Bynum in the frontcourt, while Lamar Odom and a healthy Trevor Ariza come off the bench. The Lakers are playing very well offensively and are blowing out their opponents to the point where Kobe Bryant does not have to play in the fourth quarter many nights.

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