While she insists that is definitely the case for the NBA Finals, she’d like to thank the Boston Celtics for their unlikely run to the brink of a championship. Burke, a former Providence College guard who now lives in Rumford, is grateful for the chance to work so many “home games” in Boston instead of Orlando, Cleveland or some other city.

“As unbiased as I am as a professional, I am biased as a mother and thrilled that the Boston Celtics are still playing,” Burke said before Tuesday’s Game Six at Staples Center. “Any chance to get home and see my children this time of the year is appreciated.”

Burke, a mother of two teenagers, has her daughter, Sarah, on the trip to Los Angeles. They are both happy that the finish line to a long basketball season is at hand. Burke begins calling college basketball games as an analyst in November, continues with college and NBA games through March and then readies for the playoff run. She worked one game a week as an analyst in April but has been attached to the Celtics as the sideline reporter since the Eastern Conference finals with Orlando.

The challenges of the sideline job are unique, she says. Not only does she need to fire quick, concise questions at Doc Rivers or Phil Jackson in between quarters, she also must be on alert for any oddities that may happen on the floor or on the benches during timeouts.

“It’s my preference to sit in the analyst chair,” she said, “but because of the three gentlemen I’m working with now, the sideline job is as good as it gets. These guys are the best announcing team in sports right now.”

Burke was speaking of play-by-play man Mike Breen and analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. “They are so good, so quick, that it’s not often that I am going to want to bump in and take something away from their commentary. It’s just great to be part of the team with those guys,” she said.

The best part of the NBA Finals for Burke? It means the end of a long, long basketball season that runs for eight busy months.