We're headed for a Lakers/Celtics championship (again)

Did you see these two teams yesterday? I don't think I've ever been more impressed by a pair of NBA teams on the same day. The Celtics absolutely dismantled a respectable Dallas Mavericks' team, and the Lakers shamed the once-mighty San Antonio Spurs. Everything was clicking for both the Celtics and Lakers, and yet it's not as if this was a one-time deal.

I just don't see any way around this prediction:

The Celtics and Lakers will meet again in the NBA Finals this season. 

I know that's not exactly going out on a limb, but it's rare for the same two teams to reach the championship in back-to-back years. The Celtics have formidable competition in the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic, and the Lakers have to worry about the aforementioned Spurs, the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, and wild card Phoenix Suns.

Sure, many people may still consider the Celtics and Lakers the premier teams in the league, but that doesn't mean that they'd predict their appearances in the NBA Finals. I know there's a long way to go this season, but I'm over 90 percent confident that Kobe Bryant will again go to war against Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett in June.

I'll tell you why. On Boston's side, their team defense is as tenacious and relentless as ever, and offensively, their ball movement my even be superior to last year. Ray Allen looks to be in phenomenal physical condition, and shows no signs of slowing down. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett seem a little banged up at times, but they are both warriors, and minor aches and pains can't truly slow them down.

Still, everyone talks about "The Boston Three Party," or quite simply: "The Big Three," but Rajon Rondo is the determining factor for the Celtics. If he can perform with consistency about 75-80 percent of the time, there's no doubt that this team is getting back to the finals. Right now Rondo is at that level or above, so there's little reason to jump off the Celtics' bandwagon. Eddie House and "Big Baby" Glen Davis have picked up their play off the bench as well.

For the Lakers, Andrew Bynum is playing like the difference-maker that everyone projected him to be before the season. Boston's title almost came with a disclaimer last year, with many people -- especially Lakers fans -- saying, "Well, the Lakers didn't have Bynum; he would have changed the complexion of the series." (Or something to that extent).

Well, now Bynum is out there and he's improved the Lakers both offensively and defensively. Offensively, he's so big, long, and skilled that he requires a double-team in the post. That creates more space for both Kobe and Pau Gasol, both of whom require double teams at different junctures of each game. The easiest way to put this is: there's no way to stop the Lakers unless you have seven defenders on the court. The Celtics are the only team with even the slighest chance to contain Phil Jackson's prolific offense.

When it comes down to it, I like the Lakers this time around. But I can't be as sure of that prediction as I am of the prediction that puts both teams in the finals again. I'll say Lakers in seven, but who could argue with someone that says the Celtics will repeat?

I know I can't.