NBA Opening Night: Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
With all due respect to the reigning Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic, most people think tonight’s NBA opener, Celtics at Cavaliers, is a preview of the 2010 East Finals and that these are the only two teams who can seriously challenge the L.A. Lakers for a title this year.
However, not all is well with Boston right now. First off, the agent for Rajon Rondo has said his client won’t be signing an extension with Boston this season and wants to become a restricted free agent next summer. It sounds like Rondo the team are many millions apart – this could be a distraction all year if Rondo starts pouting.
Rondo is making $2.3 million this season in the last year of his rookie contract. He averaged 11.9 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game last season. Reportedly the C’s offered him a five-year, $45 million deal, but he wants closer to $60 million.
And then there’s Boston forward Glen Davis. “Big Baby” reportedly sustained a broken thumb Sunday night in an altercation with a former college teammate. The injury will require surgery and keep Davis out indefinitely (about two months). He is also likely to be suspended by the team. Davis did not travel to Cleveland for tonight’s season opener against the Cavaliers, who are 4.5-point betting favorites on WagerWeb.com.
The Celtics also will be missing Tony Allen (ankle surgery), Brian Scalabrine (ankle sprain), and Bill Walker (knee surgery) tonight. Ray Allen, who sustained a cut over his eye during practice Saturday, trained at full speed and is expected to be in the starting lineup.
It’s not clear if the Cavs will have Delonte West on the court tonight after his summer of off-court incidents. The latest was a domestic violence report that West’s wife filed. Tonight will mark the debut of Shaq in a Cavs uniform. And will it be the finals season for LeBron James in one?
This rivalry has been about as close as it could be. Including the regular season and playoffs they’ve played 15 times in the past two seasons, with the Celtics having an 8-7 edge. The difference is Game 7 back in the 2008 playoffs. The past 16 times the two teams have met, the home team has come out the winner.
NBA Betting at WagerWeb.com
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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