The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have combined to win nearly half (35 of 78) of the NBA championships since the league's inception, and the two premier franchises will take center stage Tuesday night on the NBA's Opening Night.
In Boston, the Celtics will hang an 18th championship banner — one more than the Lakers for the most in NBA history. With a loaded roster led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown returning, the Celtics have an eye on repeating as champions, something that hasn't happened in Boston since 1968 and 1969. They'll host the New York Knicks, who won 50 games for the first time since the 2012-13 season and are looking to make a big jump, with Jalen Brunson leading the way for a new-look New York squad that added Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges over the offseason.