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The Credits: "Grumpy Old Men"

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The Lakers come home from their disappointing 1-2 road trip to face their storied (and historic) rivals, the 21-18 Boston Celtics. Both teams are as old as time and both have struggled on the road, with Boston a measly 5-10 away from TD Garden, only slightly better than the Lakers' 7-14 record away from Staples Center.

Each team certainly has its share of stars about to walk into the sunset of their careers. Fisher is 37, Kobe Bryant is 33 and Metta World Peace is 31.

The Celtics arrived in Los Angeles as something of an antiques road show, toting
Ray Allen (36), Kevin Garnett (35) and Paul Pierce (34).

Contrary to popular belief, this is still a great rivalry as far as the players are concerned.

"For a while there, it didn’t mean as much as it means now," Fisher said Saturday. "But with what they have been able to accomplish in the last four years and what we’ve been able to accomplish in the last four, five years, it’s big and it’s back and it’s good for the game.

"And despite their record, our record and what people think about our teams as we stand today, the reality is the last four years, these two teams have won three championships (Celtics in 2008, Lakers in 2009, 2010.) It’s still pretty important.

"All the main characters in those movies are still here."

Lately they've been alike in other ways as well, with trade talks surrounding Pau Gasol and Rajon Rondo.

The Lakers beat the Celtics in their last outing, one of the few road games the Lakers have won, so the green goblins will definitely be looking for revenge. Brace yourselves.

Elsewhere in the NBA, Ricky Rubio was injured near the end of Friday's game with the Lakers and was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee after an MRI Saturday morning; he's done for the season and will be out of the Summer Olympics for Spain's National Team; J.R. Smith is not very smart and $25K poorer; and the Lakers apparently talk too damned much.

Don't forget to watch "The Announcement", the documentary about Magic Johnson's stunning revelation of his HIV status in November 1991. It airs tonight on ESPN at 6 PM PDT.

↓ More after the jump ↓

L.A. Times

ESPN/ESPNLA

Yahoo! Sports

SI.com

The O.C. Register

ProBasketballTalk

DIME

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