BOSTON — Let the rivalry begin.

In one corner is New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul, regarded as the best point guard in the National Basketball Association, no questions asked. The MVP candidate has led the league in assists the last two seasons averaging more than 11 per game and his ability to score — 22.8 points per game last year — is second to none among NBA quarterbacks.

In the other corner is the challenger, and underdog, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, whose stock seems to double each year he has been in the league. The Celtics point guard's forte is a little harder to quantify, other than his meteoric growth in points, assists and rebounds. He simply makes things happen.

Rondo has a lot going on these days, particularly a decision by he and the Celtics to agree to a contract. The Celtics are offering big money (about $9 million to $10 million per year), but he wants really big money (about $12 million annually).

So last night, with Paul in town, was a perfect evening to prove Rondo's case.

What transpired on the stat sheet was pretty much expected. Paul made nine of 13 field goals for 22 points and had eight assists. Rondo scored only six points, but had his fourth consecutive double-digit assist game with 10.

And, of course, the Celtics won 97-87, taking the lead two-plus minutes into the second quarter (24-23) and never trailing again.

But the matchup between Paul and Rondo was the game within the game.

The pair were called for technicals midway through the second quarter after a mini-shoving match, and the rest of the game they appeared to trade pleasantries.

When the game ended and the teams traded hugs and handshakes, Paul and Rondo had to be separated. Rondo went after Paul before leaving the court. Paul seemed to take offense and he was demonstrative in his displeasure.

"Nahh, it wasn't anything special," said Paul. "It was just two guys going at each other ... It was two guys who want to win, that's all. Nobody wants to win on that court more than I do."

Rondo wanted no part of the discussion. Before his post-game press conference, which finally took place 45 minutes after the game — he had to get his gimpy ankle iced — it was stated by the Celtics PR staff that Rondo would talk about everything related to the game ... except his duel with Paul.

Several Celtics though, including coach Doc Rivers, touched on it briefly, referring to both of them as "featherweights."

"There's nothing wrong with having competition," said Rivers. "The competition is great ... They're supposed to go at each other."

Not quite.

Paul had a little more fun with it, referring to Rondo as being "lucky to have so many great players around him." He also said that, "He's a great point guard. And he's won a championship. That's what I'm trying to do."

They meet again Feb. 10 in New Orleans. A lot will happen between now and then.

But you can pretty much guarantee another game within the game.