EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Never mind Andrew Bynum was injured and didn't play in the 2008 NBA Finals against Boston, he wants the Celtics in the 2010 Finals.The Lakers' center was asked after practice Friday whether he'd rather see the Celtics or Orlando in the Finals. Bynum's Lakers lead Phoenix 3-2 entering Saturday's Game 6 of the Western Conference finals while Boston leads the Magic 3-2 entering Friday's Game 6 of the Eastern Conference affair.
"We want to get Boston because we lost to them and we want to get that one back,'' said Bynum, who missed the 2008 Finals due to a knee injury but did play in the 2009 Finals when the Lakers topped Orlando for the crown.
Asked if the Lakers might be more motivated in the Finals against Boston due to the 2008 loss while the Magic might be more fired up facing the Lakers due to the 2009 loss, Bynum said, "Exactly.''
This isn't the first time Bynum has been looking ahead in the series. When Lakers coach Phil Jackson was asked earlier this week about Bynum discussing playing Boston, Jackson called it a "brain (cramp).''
Share Bynum evidently is still suffering from that malady in addition to the torn meniscus he has been playing with in his right knee.
With Bynum having the knee problem, it might seem he would have more of a problem against Boston's big front line. So FanHouse later asked Bynum whether or not Orlando actually would be a better foe for him in the Finals considering his health.
"They try to be tough,'' Bynum said about the Celtics. "They try to hit you and stuff like that. But it's actually a better game for me to play in (than against Orlando) because it's not as up and down. ... Exactly (that it would be better for Bynum), especially with the knee.''
Another advantage for the Lakers facing Boston is they would have home-court advantage in the Finals rather than if they faced Orlando. Still, considering the history, would the Lakers really rather run into the Celtics?
The teams have met 11 times in the Finals. The Celtics have won nine and the Lakers just twice.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter @christomasson
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