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LeBron James versus the Boston Celtics: A brief history

ByTony Pesta|
BOSTON - MAY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers points across the court in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics during the 2010 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2010 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 94-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON - MAY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers points across the court in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics during the 2010 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2010 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 94-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are matched up against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs.

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will face off against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. While we won’t be seeing a Kyrie Irving versus LeBron James showdown, this series should still be exciting.

The history between James and the Celtics is more than enough to make things interesting.

Over the years, James and the Celtics have become very familiar with each other. This series will mark the seventh time in the last 12 years that James has met the Celtics in the NBA Playoffs. James has won four of their six matchups and averages 29.2 points per game.

These two teams have been rivals for over a decade now. Seeing as how it’s been nearly 10 seasons since the Celtics last eliminated a LeBron James led-team, I’m sure Boston is hungry for a series win.

It’s evident that these two parties dislike each other. Their power-struggle for control of the Eastern Conference has spanned over the course of two different generations. It began with the big three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. Their rivalry has lasted all the way through to the modern-day Celtics, led by Al Horford and a slew of talented role players.

To fully understand the history between James and Boston, let’s take a look at each of the times they met in the playoffs. Starting with the 2008 NBA season and ending with a preview of the upcoming matchup.