Boston Celtics 2009-2010 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Boston Celtics 2008-2009 NBA Record: 62-20, 1st in Atlantic Division.

Boston Celtics 2008-2009 ATS (Against The Spread): 43-39

Boston Celtics Betting Trends & Betting Angles:

• 9-1 ATS past 10 Dec home games

• 1-9 ATS past 10 as fave of more than 8 pts

• 14-2 SU in games with no rest

• OVER is 7-1 past 8 games within division

• 10-0 SU, 9-1 ATS past 10 Jan games

• 0-6 ATS past 6 Feb home games

• 10-2-1 ATS past 13 at Philly

Boston Celtics 2009-2010 Preview & Prediction

The Celtics made a serious mistake in the summer of 2008 by placing their focus on trying to get Corey Maggette ahead of resigning James Posey, their player with the most intangible value. They ended up with neither.

Their bench suffered as a result, and no one player was able to replicate Posey’s dirty work role. Powe, another who took as much pride in drawing charges and handing out hard fouls, was not given a qualifing offer after going down with a torn ACL that required surgery. Lest anyone forget, both men played huge roles in the 2008 Finals against the Lakers. Though the Celtics have enough stars to cover over a host of weaknesses, they remain short on the dirty work brigade.

Boston Celtics Coach: Doc Rivers (6th season)

Boston Celtics Returning Players: Guards Ray Allen, Tony Allen, J.R. Giddens, Eddie House, Rajon Rondo; forwards Glen Davis, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Brian Scalabrine, Bill Walker; center Kendrick Perkins.

Boston Celtics Key Additions: Swingman Marquis Daniels (free agent), forward Rasheed Wallace (free agent), forward Shelden Williams (free agent).

Boston Celtics Key Subtractions: Guard Stephon Marbury (free agent), center Mikki Moore (signed with Warriors), forward Leon Powe (signed with Cavaliers), guard Gabe Pruitt (signed with Knicks).

2009-2010 Boston Celtics Point Guards:

Obscured by the Celtics’ pursuit of Wallace and Daniels was the fact that they need a backup point guard.

Marbury, who made it clear after Game 7 against Orlando that he considers himself a starter, isn’t that guy. Gabe Pruitt, a talented kid who never won over Rivers, was waived. Rookie Lester Hudson is physically tough and has promise as a scorer, but Rivers has never been one to give out a lot of minutes to rookies.

The need is somewhat obscured by Rondo’s durability. If everything goes right this season, he should be the minutes leader. But there are questions, like why a player who averaged a triple double against the Rookie of the Year (Derrick Rose) in the first round of the playoffs would suddenly decline against an inferior Orlando backcourt?

An answer may well be forthcoming this season. Regardless, a backup here is a weakness.

2009-2010 Boston Celtics Off Guards:

Perhaps no one missed Garnett more than Ray Allen in the playoffs. The Magic blitzed this great marksman off picks, and Allen never found the room to shoot. Garnett, and now Wallace, create space, and Allen needs space like the rest of us need water and oxygen. But at 34, he also needs support.

His namesake, Tony Allen, has shown that he’s not that guy. Second-year guard J.R. Giddens may be a more consistent alternative to Tony Allen. Though he faded in the playoffs, Eddie House was one of the finest reserve scorers in the league last year.

KG will probably be the ingredient that makes them all shine brighter again. And Wallace too. Frankly, they all will look better with a little room co work.

2009-2010 Boston Celtics Small Forwards:

If Garnett’s health is Necessity No.1, there is no question about No.2. Though Paul Pierce has the durability of a bulldozer, he had also blown a piston or two by the end of the playoffs. He led the team in minutes last year with a 37.5 average, and though the Celtics captain prides himself on this sort of thing, enough is enough. That’s why Marquis Daniels was brought in. Danny Ainge wanted a player who could guard the position as well as score, and the former Pacer boasts the credentials. Bill Walker, a tough guy and strong defender who is hindered by his lack of a perimeter game, may yet have a chance here as well.

All in all, the depth here has other clubs blinking. Of course, they’ll need it against LeBron and Company.

2009-2010 Boston Celtics Power Forwards:

One of Wallace’s hidden benefits is that he keeps Garnett out of the middle. KG remains the best pure power forward in the business, and is at his best defensively when someone else can take care of the opposing 5. The Celtics had been the best defensive team in the league for the previous one-and­a-half seasons before Garnett went down last February, and got progressively worse. It’s also been taken for granted just how much the Celtics depend on him offensively. His absence was the reason ball movement became such a problem in the post-season. Glen Davis, who played remarkably well in Garnett’s absence, has developed a nice medium range jump shot and a major scorer’s mentality — the latter perhaps a mixed blessing. His main challenge may be a return to backup status. The question about Garnett’s return co health is the only reason this category doesn’t receive a perfect grade. Shelden Williams was brought in as insurance. Many are curious why Leon Powe, not given a qualifing offer, couldn’t have been given that last spot while recovering from knee surgery.

2009-2010 Boston Celtics Centers:

Ask Dwight Howard. Kendrick Perkins is one of the most under appreciated post defenders in the league. Rasheed Wallace adds defensive depth, but also an offensive element that the Celtics didn’t even have in this position during their 2008 title run. He can play with Garnett — a true offensive nightmare for opponents — or with Perkins or Davis. Unlike in his last two years in Detroit, Wallace can step out to stretch the floor here without the Celtics losing a post presence.

Boston Celtics 2009-2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Boston Celtics will finish 1st in the NBA Atlantic Division .

Boston Celtics Betting

Boston Celtics NBA Championship Odds: +400

Boston Celtics Eastern Conference Odds: +200

Boston Celtics 2008-2009 Betting Stats

Boston Celtics Straight Up: 62-20

Boston Celtics ATS: 43-39

Boston Celtics Home ATS: 21-20

Boston Celtics Away ATS: 22-19

Boston Celtics Record As Favorite: 55-15

Boston Celtics Record As Dog: 6-5

Boston Celtics Over/Under: 41-40-1

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