(The Spread) – Outside of the Memphis Grizzlies, there might not be a hotter team in the NBA right now than the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics have won four in a row and eight of their last 10, which has caused oddsmakers to take notice. The C’s 2012 NBA Finals odds fell from 40/1 to 10/1 in the matter of a week, while their odds to win the Eastern Conference shifted from 20/1 down to 5/1.
If the playoffs were to start today, Boston would own the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and would play the Atlanta Hawks, who currently have the exact same record as the Celtics. But with the way Boston has played recently, it definitely has a chance to catch an Indiana Pacers team that is just two games ahead of the Celtics in terms of overall record.
On Thursday night, Rajon Rondo posted a triple-double while scoring 10 points to go along with 10 rebounds, 20 assists and two steals in the Celtics’ victory over the Hawks in overtime. Kevin Garnett also racked up a double-double in the win, scoring 22 points on 9-of-20 shooting with 12 rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Perhaps the only disappointing news to come out of Boston right now is Ray Allen’s ankle injury. Said head coach Doc Rivers: “I don’t know what’s going on with it. It just swells.”
Rivers also said that Allen is expected to make Boston’s upcoming road trip and ruled out surgery, but he doesn’t sound like a confident head coach at the moment. Avery Bradley continues to receive playing time in Allen’s absence.
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