With the 2010 NBA Finals officially underway tonight, high hopes will suffocate the inside of the Staples Center as the Los Angeles Lakers get the opportunity for revenge on the Boston Celtics.
Since the 2008 NBA Finals, a lot has changed, and I'm not just saying that because everybody else and their mother are.
Rajon Rondo has taken full responsibility of emerging as the official ring leader of this ever-so-aging Celtics squad and Kobe Bryant has lifted his game to a whole new level that doubters never thought he could accomplish before.
The ultimate factor comes down to what team is better fit to win it all this season
Boston Celtics Positives
The Celtics are undoubtedly the better defensive team. They ranked second during the regular season in steals per game (8.5), second in opponents turnovers per game (15.6), and fifth in the league in opponents points per game (95.6).
Throughout the first 17 games of the playoffs, Boston has held their opponents to just 91.4 PPG on 43.8 percent shooting from the field, and 32.9 percent shooting from beyond the three-point line.
More astounding, they've managed to conquer this against two of the best offensive teams in the league in Cleveland and Orlando, who both ranked in the top eight in PPG, FG%, and 3P% during the regular season.
If Boston wants to win this series, it's a must to keep up the defensive intensity and pressure and prevent Kobe Bryant from going lights out.
Boston Celtics Negatives
To begin, mean-faced Kendrick Perkins has a total of six technical fouls thus far in the postseason, meaning if he receives one more, he will be suspended for the next game.
Since its more likely than not that Perkins will get at least one during the extremely emotional upcoming ser...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
