Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics has David Stern jumping for joy

Commissioner David Stern will never admit the NBA got the Finals matchup it wanted most after a Kobe-LeBron clash.

But if he could do cartwheels in those expensive suits, we're betting he would.

 

Hey, we're not going to lie. There's something magical about the Lakers and Celtics in the Finals, and we can't wait to watch it unfold beginning Thursday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Here's how The Heat Index breaks it down:

Point guard

Rajon Rondo, Celtics.

Nobody in this series has improved more since the teams last met in the Finals in 2008. Heck, maybe nobody in the NBA has improved as much as Rondo, who has averaged 16.7 points and 10 assists in this playoff run.

Derek Fisher, Lakers.

Fisher has done a terrific job of keeping Utah's Deron Williams and the Suns' Steve Nash out of the lane in the past two rounds.

Edge: Boston.

Shooting guard

Ray Allen, Celtics.

Allen ranks behind Reggie Miller on the NBA's all-time list for 3-point shots made in a career. He's great coming off screens, but he's also 34 years old.

Kobe Bryant, Lakers.

Forget that debate about who is better, Bryant or LeBron James. Bryant is so far beyond James as a complete player it isn't even debatable. If your life depended on it, who would you want to take the shot? Uh huh.

Edge: Lakers.

Center

Kendrick Perkins, Celtics.

Perkins is big, physical and active. But will he be available for the whole series? He has accumulated six technical fouls in the playoffs and will serve a one-game suspension if he gets another.

Andrew Bynum, Lakers.

Bynum missed the 2008 Finals against Boston because of a dislocated left knee cap. He may be only slightly more useful now because of torn cartilage in his right knee.

Edge: Celtics.

Power forward

Kevin Garnett, Celtics.

He's still got a mean streak, as evidenced by that dirty arm chop he gave to Orlando's Dwight Howard in the conference finals.

But his warrior's mentality is trumped by his worn-out knees.

Pau Gasol, Lakers.

His low-post game has evoked comparisons - ironically - to that of former Celtics great Kevin McHale. Let's just hope Gasol makes a better player-personnel guy some day.

Edge: Lakers.

Small forward

Paul Pierce, Celtics.

This is the key matchup of the series. Pierce is a resourceful scorer, who craftily uses his body to create space. He had some big games in 2008 and is almost as good in the clutch as Bryant.

Ron Artest, Lakers.

Pierce won't be creating much space by using his body against Artest. Opponents fear the guy. His teammates might, too.

Edge: Celtics.

Sixth Man

Rasheed Wallace, Celtics.

He is a matchup nightmare when he's right.

Lamar Odom, Lakers.

He is a matchup nightmare when he's right.

Edge: None.David sternDavid stern

Other key reserves

Celtics - C-F Glen "Big Baby" Davis, G Tony Allen, G Nate Robinson, G-F Michael Finley.

Lakers - G Shannon Brown, G Jordan Farmar, G Sasha Vujacic.

The Celtics can come with big bodies, defense and scoring. Los Angeles counters with, let's see, Shannon, Jordan and Sasha.

Is that the Lakers or the Sparks?

Edge: Celtics.

Bottom line: If the Lakers couldn't solve a zone defense thrown at them by the Suns, how will they fare against this now-healthy Celtics defensive juggernaut? Not well. Celtics in six.