NBA Rivalry Revisited: Stage Is Set for Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics Final

History says that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are on a collision course to meet in the NBA Finals for the 12th time. If it happens, it will be the second time in three seasons that the NBA's most storied franchises have met to decide the championship.

Phil Jackson is 32-0 in series where his teams hold a 2-0 lead. That doesn't bode well for the Suns as they face the Lakers in a crucial Game Three at home this Sunday. The Lakers, who have gone only 3-2 on the road in these playoffs, have a chance to sweep the series if they can win both games in Phoenix.

Historically, the Celtics are also undefeated when holding a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs. Like the Lakers, they can sweep the series with two more victories. The Celtics are 5-1 at home in the playoffs through the first two rounds.

Sweeps or not, the two power-houses are the odds-on favorites to advance to the NBA Finals.

In eleven previous playoff meetings, the Celtics have won nine series including their most recent clash in 2008. The all-time head-to-head record also favors the Celtics 152-120.

The Celtics’ 17 championships are first all-time, but Los Angeles has 15 NBA titles of its own. Their 32 combined titles accounts for more than half of the 63 championships in NBA history.

History gives the edge to Boston for capturing their 18th NBA title and second since 2008.

Having said that, I wouldn't write Kobe , Phil, and friends off just yet.

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