The Celtics have the Lakers Number

I think this is about the Lakers. The Lakers have to prove to the Celtics and to themselves that they can handle the physical play of the Celtics, which I thought (the Celtics) dominated the Lakers with their physical play. They also took the Lakers out of what they wanted to run. And then I think that last beating that they took by 39 points, that should have left a sour taste in the Lakers’ mouth.

I’ve been closed out, but at least we put up a fight. We were fighting to the end. To me, that was an embarrassment for the Lakers, and those guys have got to come out and really prove something to themselves and show the league that they are really ready to challenge the Celtics. Because right now, the Celtics really believe that the Lakers can’t beat them. So it’s all about the Lakers on Christmas Day.

The Celtics know that they’ve got something over the Lakers and when you know that, you come in with confidence. So I’m really excited to see - with Bynum being in there, because that was all the talk - and now we get a chance to see with him being in the lineup and these two powerhouses going toe to toe. But in the end, this is a game really for the Lakers to prove something to themselves, because the Celtics proved they’re tough, they’re physical.

--Magic Johnson

He didn't come out and say that the Celtics have the Lakers' number, but the choice of words was interesting nonetheless.

The Celtics know they've got something over the Lakers.

He didn't say the Celtics "think they've got something over the Lakers" or "hope they've got something over the Lakers" or even "know they had something over the Lakers last year."

The words were "know" and "got"--certainty in the present tense, as in nothing has changed since June 17.

The Lakeshow could play an amazing game. Maybe their frontline will play like men and not like creampuffs. Maybe one of the European three-point shooters will go off. If that doesn't happen, and both teams just play their games, this is Boston's game to lose.

Even if the Lakers play out of character and above their pay grade, Boston could easily do the same.

So either way, this is Boston's game to lose.