2008 NBA Playoffs: Bet on the Boston Celtics

While Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant battle for MVP, Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics have resurrected the dominant dynasty of yesteryear and look to add another championship to the already overflowed shelf. Expect the "Big Three" of 2008 to pick up where their fellow Boston teams (Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins) left off.

Domination of the East

The Celtics hold at least one record that leaves everyone in New England gleaming with delight. Besides having the biggest turnaround in NBA history, Boston posted a 66-16 record, laid claim to the Eastern Conference crown, and, above all else, proved that it was not going to stop until it won the NBA Championship.

So how did the C's truly fare against the elite in the East? Well...

They posted the best record in the league (66-16), the second-best home record in the league (35-6), and the best road record in the league (31-10). But the biggest record they had, with all due respect to the previous three records, was a 41-11 conference record.

Not a bad day in the office I might say. But that's not how this run started.

The Genesis of the 2007-08 Boston Celtics

Following last season's dismal 33-49 record, many wondered if Doc Rivers was going to be given the boot by Danny Ainge. However, as Ainge has learned during his own career, success does take time. So he kept Rivers as head coach, and began the reconstruction process. This is where Boston's future got a big surprise.

In July of 2007, Ainge started making massive moves to rebuild the dynasty that was once the force of the Eastern Conference. By acquiring Ray Allen from the Sonics, Ainge was making steps in the right direction, but his biggest acquisition was yet to come. That's when he made the call to Celtics legend Kevin McHale, who was heading up the operations in Minnesota.

At the end of July, the Celtics made enough moves and gave up enough cash to land themselves one of the most dangerous forwards in the NBA: Kevin Garnett.

Garnett had been thirsty for a championship his entire career, and began to realize that he wouldn't win a championship in Minnesota. So he started making his thoughts speak for themselves. He assented to the trade, and after the many roadblocks, he finally got his fresh start on a team with a reputation for turning superstars into legends.

With Allen and KG joining the ranks of Celtic Town, Doc Rivers now officially had all the tools he needed on the court to make things happen. Add in the fact that Paul Pierce, who was starting to talk about leaving the team, was starting to play like the Pierce of old, and Boston was bound for greatness the day that the season started.

2008 NBA Playoffs

So the question now is simply this: Can the Celtics finish what they started? Many wondered just how good the Celtics were, and if they can pose an immediate threat to the Best in the West. Well, looking at the numbers, here's how Boston stacks up against the other 15 playoff teams.

Unblemished: Atlanta (3-0), Dallas (2-0), Houston (2-0), LA Lakers (2-0), San Antonio (2-0)

One Notch: Denver (1-1), Detroit (2-1), New Orleans (1-1), Philadelphia (3-1), Phoenix (1-1), Toronto (3-1), Utah (1-1)

Split Decision: Cleveland (2-2)

Worth Worrying Over: Orlando (1-2), Washington (1-3)

Playoff Prognosis

The Celtics will have little trouble with the Eastern Conference. Their obvious obstacle will be Detroit, considering their rivalry during the season. Orlando has to lock horns with Toronto, while Washington will renew its rivalry with Cleveland. But even in the West, no one is safe.

Expect Boston to reach the NBA Finals and win the 16 games necessary to claim the NBA Championship. Boston will most likely sweep the Hawks, and as for whoever comes after Atlanta, well, good luck.