NBA Betting: What has happened to the Celtics?

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 13 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Friday's titanic tussle with the Cavaliers leaves Boston in danger of surrendering the Eastern Conference. However, Nick Shiambouros believes that punters should cool their Jordans and wait to see if last year's champions get over their slump. Afterall, the market might have overreacted.

The race for the Eastern Conference has heated up after the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Boston Celtics 98-83 on Friday night. LeBron James was on fire with 38 points to maintain the Cavs unbeaten record at home.

The question everyone is asking now is what has happened to the Celtics? Before Christmas they looked to be running away with the Conference and the major talking point was would they win 70 games or not? The question now is will they win the conference or will Cleveland or even Orlando take it?

As previously reported I have backed Boston to win the NBA title at [4.3] and I am beginning to wonder if this slump could be more serious than I first thought. On Monday night they had to go to overtime to beat Toronto in a close run affair and they are not playing with the same intensity as they did earlier in the season. Rajon Rondo is not playing anywhere near his ability. The rumours are already beginning to surface that Boston are looking to sign Stephon Marbury from New York to replace Rondo as point guard.

Marbury is currently earning $21m per year but has not played a single game for the Knicks this year due to a dispute with the coach and management. The last thing Rondo needs is to have this kind of pressure on him and I hope he can find his form sooner rather than later.

The Celtics appear to have a relatively easy schedule over the next 10 games with the exception of a trip to Orlando next week but they must perform well to keep up with Cleveland. The water gets deeper for Boston after that with a home game against the Lakers on February 4th followed by a six game road trip on the West Coast.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a much harder schedule over the next 10 games with a road trip to the West coast where the Lakers await .The Cavs have to play eight out of the next eleven games on the road which will not be easy at all.

The question regarding Cleveland is how long can LeBron keep playing huge minutes for his team. I am truly amazed that this guy can play at the highest level with minimal rest. Delonte West is playing well at present to assist but when LeBron is not on the court they are vulnerable. This is a huge factor in trying to protect a lead. When James sat down last week against Boston, Paul Pierce took full advantage and scored heavily.

I am sure LeBron James will be crowned MVP and his current price of [1.3] is appropriate but I am not rushing out to take [2.52] to win the Eastern Conference on Cleveland.
Boston are currently trading at [2.56] to win the conference and I am far more interested in that price. Boston have a more talented starting rotation and they will get over this lean spell. I think the market may have over reacted and I will be backing Boston to win the Eastern Conference.

The Orlando Magic must be mentioned as the surprise team of the east as they are keeping pace with both Cleveland and Boston for the time being. Everyone is wondering when the Magic will crack but at 30-8 for the season they show no signs of letting up. They really are the dark horses of the Eastern Conference.

Recommended wagers:

Eastern Conference winner back Boston at [2.56].