Does a Los Angeles Lakers – Boston Celtics rivalry game still pack a punch?

Whether it is, as Mychal Thompson believes, a preview of the 2024 NBA Finals, only time can tell. But Monday’s tilt between the Lakers and the Celtics most certainly will be anything but boring.

Has the rose fallen off the bloom that is the Boston Celtics – Los Angeles Lakers rivalry? Not if you ask The Ringer’s Michael Pina. Per the Ringer NBA analyst, “every time the two winningest franchises in NBA history square off, it’s meaningful.”

“Both sides are coming off a conference finals appearance, aspire to win this year’s title, and feature superstars who deserve a shout in the early-season MVP conversation,” writes Pina of the two ancient rivals set to collide again on this Christmas Day 2023. “When the Celtics and Lakers clash on Christmas Day, dramatic tension will fuse with history, stakes, and a fascinating contrast in style.”

With both ball clubs set to compete for an NBA record eighteenth title this season, the mid-season meetup certainly does have more sauce than a matchup that is always a saucy one.

Whether it is, as Mychal Thompson believes, a preview of the 2024 NBA Finals, only time can tell. But Monday’s tilt between the Lakers and the Celtics most certainly will be anything but boring.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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