You asked for it, you got it.

In what is one of the most anticipated NBA finals in recent memory, the Boston Celtics, the top seed in the East, will face the Los Angeles Lakers, the top-seed in the West. These teams have faced off in the NBA Finals 10 previous times, the most recent coming in 1987. The history between these two teams is a big reason for the all the hype, but the current players re-igniting the rivalry are the real intrigue.

Here is a breakdown of each team, and what they will need to do in order to raise the championship trophy.

BOSTON CELTICS

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Defeated Atlanta 4-3; Defeated Cleveland 4-3; Defeated Detroit 4-2.

WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO WIN: The Big Three will have to be just that - big. This trio has lead the team all year, and they will all need to be on their best to topple the red-hot Lakers. Garnett is the heart and soul, and he will need to continue to put up around 20 points and 10 rebounds a night for the Celtics to have a chance. Pierce will be asked to pick up his scoring and maybe battle Kobe Bryant, just like he did against LeBron James in Game seven of the quarterfinals. Allen’s importance can’t be understated either. He is gradually coming out of his well-documented shooting slump, and when he is a threat from the perimeter, the Celtics are much more explosive.
The biggest advantage the Celtics have is home-court advantage, and they need to defend it. Boston is 10-1 at home and only 2-7 on the road in the playoffs. Boston is facing a Laker team that is clicking on all cylinders, so it will need to use home-court advantage as an equalizer.

X-FACTOR: This is a toss up between Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins (the other two starters), but I’d have to say Rondo is more important. Turnovers have plagued the Celtics throughout the playoffs, and Rondo, despite being inexperienced, will have to be Boston’s floor general and control the tempo of the game. The Celtics prefer a half-court game, while the Lakers want to push the ball. On the other hand, Perkins will be vital to Boston’s defense as he need to contain Pau Gasol in the paint.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Defeated Denver 4-0; Defeated Utah 4-2; Defeated San Antonio 4-1.

WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WIN: For the Lakers, it’s simple. Kobe needs to be Kobe, and everyone else just needs to play their role. In the playoffs, Bryant is averaging 31.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field. He has also shown the ability to single-handedly take over a game whenever he needs to, and that’s a scary proposition for the Celtics. He also has more championship experience than any other key player in this series, and if the Lakers can win, the redundant Michael Jordan comparisons will be sure to be at an all-time high.
Other than Kobe, the inside presence of Gasol (17.7 points, 8.9 rebounds), the versatility of Lamar Odom, and the timely contributions from the bench have propelled L.A. to one of the most convincing runs to the NBA Finals in years. The Lakers are 12-3 in the playoffs, and they have yet to lose at home.

X-FACTOR: Phil Jackson. Sure, he seems to always have extroadinary talent, but you cannot argue with nine rings. The Lakers hold a substantial edge in coaching in this series, and if the Lakers hit any point of adversity, the Zen Master is the perfect person to guide them in the right direction. Boston Head Coach Doc Rivers has no championship experience, much like most of the Boston roster, and the experience factor gives the Lakers a huge edge.

PREDICTION: You couldn’t ask for a better, more intriguing match-up. These teams have contrasting styles, and the team that can control the tempo will likely win this series. In a series like this where the teams are so equal, my rule of thumb is to pick the team with the best player on it - simple as that. And that player, as we all know, is The Mamba. Kobe is the best player in the world right now and I can’t see him being stopped, or even contained. Sure, Boston’s Big Three and stifling defense will give him trouble, but he now has the supporting cast that can help him bring a championship back to Los Angeles. Kobe will continue to put up over 30 points a game, and everyone around him will do just enough, and the Lakers will defeat the Celtics in six games. Kobe will collect his fourth NBA Title and first NBA Finals MVP, while Garnett, Pierce and Allen will have to wait until next year.

Other thoughts…

Athlonsports.com previews the NBA Finals.

Laballtalk.com breaks down the series.

Basketball.suite101.com says this series is between familiar foes.

Sportsjourneyradio.com says this rivalry is renewed.

Sportsmemorabilia.com says this is for bragging rights.