Celtics putting finishing touches on roster

Basketball Betting Lines

08/14/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - All-Stars Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are not the only players on Boston's roster, and that trio will need some help if the Celtics hope to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987.

Guards Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo, forward Brian Scalabrine and center Kendrick Perkins were the significant players left on the roster after Boston's executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge pulled off the blockbuster deal with Minnesota for Garnett. Since trading Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, cash considerations and two first-round draft picks to the Timberwolves on July 31st, Ainge has added veterans Scot Pollard and Eddie House through free agency.

The 32-year-old Pollard will be entering his 11th season in the league. Boston is his fifth different team, as Pollard has also played for Detroit, Sacramento, Indiana and Cleveland. Pollard is not expected to make an impact on the offensive end of the court, as his forte is rebounding and tough, physical defense.

House, 29, is being tabbed to provide an offensive spark off the bench for head coach Doc Rivers. The 6-1 House can play both guard spots, and will give Rivers some flexibility with his lineup. House, who averaged 8.4 points in 56 games last season for New Jersey, will be playing for his eighth different club during what will be his eighth season in the NBA.

With Pollard and House in the fold, Ainge still needs to find more help for his trio of All-Stars. Trades are unlikely. Help is going to have to come from the free agent pool.

There is not much left, but there are some veterans who would probably like to jump on the bandwagon for a run at an NBA title. Boston needs to find another big man to help on the boards. That is probably the one thing the Celtics are lacking. Scoring is not an issue.

Forwards Malik Allen, Melvin Ely and Marc Jackson are three names Ainge should be considering. None of these players are going to be the difference between winning a title and getting knocked out in the Eastern Conference finals, but they are all veterans who can bang down low and should be able to help Garnett, Perkins and Pollard on the glass.

The time to win is now in Beantown. The Celtics are not looking to get younger. Ainge wants to add role players who will help the fearsome threesome earn Boston its first NBA championship since it defeated the Houston Rockets in six games in the 1986 finals.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

It seemed like the perfect fit. Veteran point guard Brevin Knight, who was waived by Charlotte during the offseason, was an unrestricted free agent and would have been a great mentor for Rondo in Boston.

Knight is now off the market. He inked a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, who must be worried about the recovery of Shaun Livingston's injured knee. The 5-10 Knight averaged 9.1 points, 6.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 45 games for the Bobcats in 2006-07.

The 21-year-old Rondo averaged 6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 78 games during his rookie campaign. Rondo, who is expected to run the point for the Celtics, would have benefited from the experience and leadership of Knight.

THREE MORE YEARS

Pat Riley would like to coach the Miami Heat for three more seasons. Coincidentally, that is probably about what All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal's knees have left to give. The 35-year-old O'Neal played just 40 games in 2006-07 for the Heat, who were swept by Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.

Shaq and Dwyane Wade may still have another magical run left in them, but it will all ride on the health of O'Neal. Riley, who has earned five rings as a head coach, obviously thinks Wade, who led Miami in scoring, a franchise- record 27.4 points per game, assists (7.5 apg) and steals (2.1 spg), and his monstrous center can still compete with Boston, Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago.

Ganblenet Basketball Betting News

<< This Week in Auto Racing August 17 - August 19
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's a light week for racing unless you are trying to make the "Chase for the Nextel Cup." Then it's a huge weekend, one of just four remaining, before we determine who will race for the 2007 champio

<< Coyotes' Ricci hangs up skates
Peterborough, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phoenix Coyotes center Mike Ricci announced his retirement Monday, ending his 16-year career in the NHL, according to a Canadian newspaper Ricci, 35, made the announcement during the a

<< Rizzuto dead at 89
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yankees Hall of Famer and legendary broadcaster Phil Rizzuto died on Tuesday morning. He was 89. The former Yankee shortstop and 1950 MVP made an equally big name on the airwaves, calling s

<< White Sox back on the road after ugly homestand
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox wrapped up their recent six-game homestand leaving plenty to be desired, much like how their entire 2007 season can be described to this point. The team began the month with a glimmer of hope, carryin

<< Cardinals in must win situation
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals have done everything they can to stay within striking distance in the race for the National League Central. However, the Cardinals' poor start has made it difficult for the team to make any real headwa

Mexico, U.S. friendly canceled >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States Men's National Team will play Brazil on Sept. 9 instead of Mexico. The United States was scheduled to play at Mexico but the game was canceled because of financial problems. Instead of vis

Brazil to play friendly against the U.S. >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States Men's National Team will play Brazil on Sept. 9 instead of Mexico. The United States was scheduled to play at Mexico but the game was canceled because of financial problems. Instead of vis

U.S. replaces Mexico with Brazil >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States Men's National Team will play Brazil on Sept. 9 instead of Mexico. The United States was scheduled to play at Mexico but the game was canceled because of financial problems. Instead of vis

Still some big names left on free agent market >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NHL free agent season started with such a flurry of activity that it's easy to forget that there is still some quality talent left on the market. It's been 1 1/2 months since the league's free agency p

Reds place Ross on DL >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds placed catcher David Ross on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. Ross suffered a concussion during Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Padres when San Diego outfielder Mike Cameron collided with Ro

Online Sportsbook Football Betting

Colts give the ‘D’ its due

The Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain.

They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities.

"They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure."

Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line.

New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest.

Not so sound on the ground

If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU.

Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com

“We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star.

Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.

Brees says bring it on

Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites.

Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship.

Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game.

"I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."

SportsBooks ready for a shootout

Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses.

“This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.”

New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts.

The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game.

“Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.”

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts US credit cards