L.A. native Pierce on Boston's side of historic rivalry

"This is my first Finals, my second or third Lakers-Celtics game," Garnett said. "I'm looking forward to it -- all the things I used to watch on Sunday, that big plate of food in front of me watching the Lakers and Celtics play on Sunday, Hubie Brown and Dick Stockton doing the game. I remember that like it was yesterday.

"Fire going, I'm gonna grab me a seat right in front. Mom telling me, 'Don't get too close to the TV, it'll kill your eyes.' I remember it like it was yesterday, man. I'm looking forward to this."

Boston beat the Lakers both times they met this season, winning 107-94 at home on Nov. 23, and 110-91 in Los Angeles on Dec. 30.

"I thought the atmosphere was nuts in LA, and I told the guys after the game, 'Boy, it would be great if we could see them again,'" Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "The only way we could have seen them again would be the Finals. That's the way it should be to me as far as I'm concerned."

The Lakers have improved since last seeing the Celtics, acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis on Feb. 1 and winning 16 of their next 18 games. So they're a different team.

"So are we," Grousbeck said.