By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
In some ways the NBA Finals have already begun for the Celtics and Lakers. Of course the Magic and Suns could come back from their 0-2 holes to get to the promised land, but it doesn’t seem likely.
The Celtics are going home for two games and can clinch the series by taking them both.  The Magic need to beat the Celtics 4 out of 5 and win at least 2 games in Boston to win the series.  The Celtics haven’t lost a home playoff game yet this postseason.  Meanwhile the Lakers have won 8 playoff games in a row and Phil Jackson has never lost a playoff series when he’s up 2-0.  A collapse from the Celtics and Lakers wouldn’t be at a Bruins level, but it would be very surprising.
The Celtics and Lakers are eyeing each other.  The competition has begun. Both teams want to stay hot and finish their series’ quickly.  An epic NBA Finals is on the horizon as the two best franchises in NBA history are also clearly the two best teams right now.
This is when being a fan is so great. We don’t have to pretend like the players often [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
For the second year in a row, Christmas is a working holiday for the Celtics.  The best in the NBA get to showcase their stuff on Christmas.  It’s a national showcase for the league and big games and great matchups are a tremendous tradition that NBA fans look forward to every year.
This Christmas is no exception.  The Celtics will be in Orlando tangling with the Magic.  This is of course a rematch of last year’s terrific second round series that saw Orlando win game 7 in Boston.  Both teams are atop their respective divisions and playoff positioning down the road is always a consideration when these two teams meet in the regular season.
Should be a fun game.  It’s always great seeing Dwight Howard battle it out with Kevin Garnett.  The Vince Carter vs. Paul Pierce matchup is also very intriguing.  Both players came into the league together as rookies.  Carter was selected 5th in the 1998 NBA Draft and Pierce 10th.  Since then they both have been successful, but Pierce has a title and NBA Finals MVP on his resume while Carter hasn’t gotten past the 2nd round.  The Magic are by far the best [...]