The Celtics are the surprise packet in 2008 but can they maintain their winning ways in the Playoffs and give NBA odds makers something to think about?
Last year at this time the Boston Celtics weren’t going over their playoff strategies and looking forward to a long postseason run – they were licking their wounds after a pitiful 24-win campaign. Well, what a difference a year makes. Not only did the Celtics make the playoffs this year, but they managed to win 66 games and clinch the East’s top seed.
That has made the Celtics big favorites on the NBA betting lines to win their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, and most of those doing some basketball betting like Boston’s chances to represent the East in the NBA Finals this spring as well.
The Celtics, of course, are led by their Big Three. However, if there’s a Big One in that group it’s Kevin Garnett, who was rescued from the hoops wasteland of Minnesota in the offseason to inject some life into the fabled New England franchise. And Garnett has not disappointed – he’s a leading contender to win the league’s MVP award, as he averaged 18.8 points and 9.2 boards per game over the course of the regular season.
Shooting guard Ray Allen was also new to the Boston fold this year, and he brings a steady veteran presence to the court. Allen averaged 17.4 points per game during the regular season, and 3.1 assists. He combines in the backcourt with youngster Rajon Rondo, who greatly improved in his second year in the league (averaging 10.6 points).
Boston’s leading scorer during the regular season, though, was holdover Paul Pierce, who averaged 19.6 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The longtime Celtics’ stalwart was probably thinking his prime would be wasted after last season’s woeful result; instead, he’s played a big role in the turnaround of the franchise.
Of course, that turnaround won’t be complete unless the Celtics can do some damage in the playoffs. Boston fans have high hopes for their team’s NBA playoff odds, as the Celtics ran roughshod over the competition during the regular season. Winning the Eastern Conference looks like a slam dunk for the club (especially if they can avoid the Detroit Pistons), and they’ve played well against the best of the West this year as well.
However, another team from that area went into their playoffs with lofty expectations just a couple months ago, and we all know how that turned out for the New England Patriots. That’s something to keep in mind as you’re doing your NBA betting this month.
