Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 Moments from rivalry with Boston Celtics

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Celtics 83-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Check out our slideshow of the 10 greatest moments in the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics added another chapter to their rivalry on Tuesday night. In addition, both squads played in 361 games against each other that includes the regular season and playoffs. Consequently, the two have played in 12 NBA Finals versus each other and Boston had has won in nine of them.

Furthermore, there were numerous legends that are Hall of Famers and enriched in NBA history. Most noteworthy for Boston, it was Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn, John Havlicek, K.C. Jones, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo.

Similarly, for the Lakers, it was Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, and Ron Artest.

As a result, this rivalry has given us great games, controversies, plays and a lot of trash talk.

Now, here are the Top 10 moments of this rivalry.

10. 1962 NBA Finals Game 3: Jerry West’s steal and game-winning layup

Jerry West stole the inbounds pass from Sam Jones and took it all the way for the layup with no time remaining. Likewise, there would be another game-winner on this list.

9. 1969 NBA Finals Game 4: Sam Jones game winner

With seven seconds left, John Havlicek had the ball in his hands. He hit Sam Jones coming off a curl screen and Jones shot the ball that went off the front of the rim and into the bucket at the buzzer.

8. 1984 NBA Finals Game 4: Kevin McHale’s Hard Foul

While the Lakers were on the break, James Worthy passed to Kurt Rambis. Consequently, he got bodyslammed by Kevin McHale with the intention to stop a layup. Immediately, it caused a brouhaha.

7. 1966 NBA Finals Game 7: Red Auerbach’s last title

The Celtics held off a Lakers comeback after having a huge lead and won the title. It would be Red Auerbach’s last championship as a head coach.

6. 2008 NBA Finals Game 4: Celtics’ 24 point comeback

In the first quarter, the Lakers were up 35-14 and led by 24 into the third quarter. That’s where the C’s made their comeback led by their Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Their key bench players, James Posey and Eddie House, also played a part. It was one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Finals history.

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