"In the noisiest sports cycle in memory, a classically crazy N.B.A. championship series between the Celtics and the Lakers appears to have broken out. And in the decades-long relationship between the league's most storied and successful franchises, this usually has not been good news for Los Angeles.

When Don Nelson's jump shot bounced high off the rim and back down in 1969, the Bill Russell-led Celtics clinched their 11th title in 13 years on the Lakers' home court. When Gerald Henderson stole a pass intended for Byron Scott from James Worthy and stormed in for a layup in 1984, the Celtics were spared losing the first two games at home in a series they rallied to win.

Beware of lurking leprechauns when unheralded Celtics soar, or when the unpredictable and unfiltered Nate Robinson emerges as the fourth-quarter quarterback in a game Boston had to win to have any realistic chance of capturing its 18th title.

"Something my college coach used to say is that the more energy you bring, you'll be surprised what the outcome of the game will be," Robinson said after he - and not Rajon Rondo, the man who adorned the recent Sports Illustrated cover - was the floor leader and co-catalyst of Thursday night's 96-89 Game 4 victory by the Celtics, which evened the series at 2-2."