The NBA understands how intense and valuable the Lakers/Celtics rivalry is and the league, and is not about to lose that tradition due to a 66-game schedule. Although monetary gains may have played a role in scheduling two of these games, at least fans will get to experience the full rivalry.
The main difference between rivalries in inner and inter conference teams is that inter-conference rivals may only meet twice a year. There is added pressure into the games and fans will no doubt love seeing the Lakers and Celtics put it all out onto the hardwood this season.
Still, the Lakers will not be able to play all Eastern Conference teams on their home court and fans living in those cities will miss out on seeing Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Lakers will not be heading to the Windy City during the regular season. There is a chance that the two teams will see each other in the NBA Finals, but Lakers fans in Chicago will have to pay hundreds of extra dollars to see it.
Even though the Lakers/Celtics rivalry will be played twice for NBA fans, the Lakers will have to miss out on playing on the black and red court in the 2011-12 regular season.
The complete 2011-12 NBA schedule is set to be released Tuesday.