The rivalry had been less intense since the retirements of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the early 1990s , but in 2008 it was renewed as the Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals for the first time since 1987 , with the Celtics winning the series in six games .
The rivalry had been less known since the retirements of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the early 1990s , but in 2008 it happened again when the Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals for the first time since 1987 , with the Celtics winning the series in six games .