Ahh, Easter Weekend – the unofficial harbinger of real Spring.
For many, this weekend means some kind of feast. Egg-painting. All the traditional rituals of the holiday, enjoyed together with family. For me – this year – the traditions of Easter will be on hold, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

In fact, I think I may have the perfect – well, almost perfect – Easter planned regardless.

I’ll still be enjoying spending time with family: my mom, who is the true sports fanatic of the family. I remember her intensely watching Celtics games when I was younger, while the rest of us were mostly disinterested. Fortunately, I eventually saw the light and became a devoted basketball fan, but it did take a while.

We’ll be starting the day in the Garden tomorrow at 1PM for Celtics-Cavaliers. The Celtics struggled the last time, losing 104-93 in front of a national TV audience. In the more than two weeks since then, the Celtics have regained some of their confidence, and may have turned the corner.

Or maybe not.

Still, one hopes that Celts-Cavs will be an exciting matchup as one of the premier teams of the East arrives in the Garden. This is a great chance for the Celtics to get some revenge on the Cavs and prove to the world that yes, they really are contenders. This year. They can show that perhaps my playoff tickets that arrived this week will be worth more than three or four extra games.

So after a heated battle in the Garden between two top-notch teams, I’ll be headed across town for the nationally-televised MLB Opening Day between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Although it’s not Lakers-Celtics, the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is still pretty good, and it’s great to start off the season against the hated pinstripes.

Two great games – one on the first day of the season, one in the home stretch. Two great visiting teams, both sure title contenders. Two great venues – one modern and sparkly, the other steeped in tradition.

One city. One day.

The only way it could be better is if the Celtics were playing the Lakers. Then it really would be perfect.

(Cross-posted @ Rivalry Renewed)