Most of us remember the days of the past- Bird against Magic.

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will resume the most famous rivalry in professional basketball this Thursday night. The two teams met in the NBA Finals seven times in the 1960s and three times in the 1980s, leaving an indelible mark on the game.

So to American sports commentators and fans, who are sentimentalists at heart, this year’s Final looks like a blast from the past.

It’s long been known that these teams have a great rivalry which makes these playoffs all the more exciting. This is the first big repeat face-off in the last 21 years.

What’s your bet on the NBA finals this year? As for me I’m California dreamin’.

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics goes way, way back. We’re talking the Ronald Reagan era…Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. I think Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant said it best: “It’s such a rich tradition. I think when you look up at the jerseys that hang in the rafters at Staples Center, and with the Celtics, as well, they’re not only great Lakers players, but they’re some of the greatest to ever play. So that’s a great deal to live up to.”

Game 1 in the 2008 NBA Finals goes down tonight in Boston. If you’re betting on The Finals, here are some trends to consider:

Team records:
Los Angeles: 57-25 SU, 47-34-1 ATS
Boston: 66-16 SU, 52-28-2 ATS

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 2-8
After playing San Antonio are 5-5
After a win are 8-2

Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 8-2
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
LA Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 8 games on the road
Boston is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Boston’s last 23 games when playing LA Lakers
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

Get all your NBA basketball betting at the Bodog Sportsbook.

No news on the NBA front – the home teams just keep winning. They’re up to 20-1 (15-5-1 ATS) in the second round after Thursday’s massive 99-80 victory. The only road team to win during the conference semifinals was Detroit, who beat Orlando in Game 4 without Chauncey Billups, earning the star point guard valuable time off to let his hamstring heal. He’s expected to be ready for the next round.

Detroit will be playing Boston if this pattern continues. The Celtics are up 3-2 going back to Cleveland for Friday’s Game 6. The Cavs lost point guard Daniel Gibson to a separated shoulder in Game 5, but were still able to finagle a payday out of the Garden to go 4-1 ATS against the C’s in this series.

Cleveland was a 3-point chalk at press time. Friday’s nightcap has the Los Angeles Lakers (+4) visiting the Utah Jazz with a chance to move on to the Western final.

The NBA playoffs have already made for some riveting television. Tim Duncan hit a clutch 3-pointer to help the Spurs beat Phoenix in double overtime of their series opener. Chris Paul dropped a triple double on Jason Kidd and the Mavericks. Dwight Howard had three “20-20” games against the Raptors. And the Hawks beat the Celtics three times in Atlanta, proving yet again the value of playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Fans of other teams should take note.

So should front offices. Instead of keeping fans “entertained” at the arenas, actively bring in the kind of fan who provides that “sixth man” support Atlanta showed up with at Phillips Arena. It’s basketball, not a corporate family picnic.

Based on the difficulty Boston had beating the Hawks on the road, I like the L.A. Lakers (9-4 at press time) even more at that price to beat the Celtics (5-4) for the NBA title.

The Los Angeles Lakers are listed at 9/5 odds to win the NBA Championship.