Lakers vs. Celtics XI

Notes from this storied rivalry:

This will be the 11th time these franchises have met for the NBA title and the first time in 21 years. The Celtics lead the championship series, 8-2, but the Lakers have won two of the last three meetings (1985 and 1987).

In the history of the NBA Finals, the Celtics and Lakers have combined to win 30 out of 61 championships. Of the 61 NBA Finals played, 38 have involved one or both of these teams.

The Celtics have won 16 titles while the Lakers have won 14. Of their 14 titles, nine have come since the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles in 1960.

Last time in NBA Finals: Lakers 2004, Celtics 1987

Last NBA title: Lakers 2002, Celtics 1984

Championships pre-1979: Celtics 13, Lakers 6

Championships post-1979: Lakers 8, Celtics 3

In 61 NBA Finals games played against each other, Boston has a 36-25 edge.

During their string of eight consecutive titles from 1958-66, the Celtics faced the Lakers five times. Following a one-year break from that incredible run, the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals in 1968 and 1969 and knocked off the Lakers both times to win back-to-back championships.

Age of current Lakers and Celtics when these two teams last met in NBA Finals:
Ray Allen: 11
Kevin Garnett: 10
Paul Pierce: 9
Kobe Bryant: 8
Lamar Odom: 7
Pau Gasol: 6
Rajon Rondo: 1
Jordan Farmar: 6 months
Andrew Bynum (injured): born 4 months later

Outcome of 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers in six