NBA Finale: Celtics have edge vs Lakers

MANILA, Philippines - The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics renew their rivalry beginning Thursday (Friday, Manila time) when Game 1 of the NBA Finals is played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Basketball TV (BTV) and Solar TV will telecast the title series live starting with the best-of-seven series opener at 9 a.m. on Friday.

This year’s clash marks the 12th time that the Lakers and the Celtics will vie for the coveted Larry O’ Brien trophy.

The Celtics hold a 9-2 lead over the Lakers in the Finals, and won their last encounter in 2008 when the vaunted Boston defense held Kobe Bryant to 40 percent shooting and 25.7 points per game after averaging 31.9 points per outing in the first three rounds of the playoffs.