Bold Predictions for Boston Celtics in 2011-2012 NBA Season

There are a plethora of questions surrounding this team: Will Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen or Paul Pierce be traded? Is Rondo still on the market? Can the C's get it done without Jeff Green?

The list goes on.

Key offseason acquisitions might be enough to keep this Celtics team strong in the East, as Brandon Bass will be one of the big playmakers for the team this season. Yet, the team also missed out on both Chris Paul and David West, moves that could have had the Celtics as sure contenders this season.

In spite some of the misfortunes the team has dealt with this offseason, head coach Doc Rivers and his Boston Celtics will look to contend for an NBA championship in what may well be the last season the Big Three stick together.

These are five bold predictions for the team headed into the 2011-2012 NBA regular season for the Boston Celtics.

Ray Allen's Scoring Numbers Will Improve

What? Your kidding right? Allen? He's 36 years old.

What many don't realize is that Ray Allen averaged 16.5 points per game and shot a career-best 44.4 percent from three-point range and 49.1 percent from the field—as these numbers will only go up this season.

In two preseason games that featured limited minutes, Allen has shot well above 50 percent while scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

With Paul Pierce hurt and a weaker backcourt of the bench, expect Allen to put up big-time numbers this season.

Celtics Finish Top 2 in the East and Make Eastern Conference Finals

This comes as a shocker to most, as the statement is to suggest that one of these teams—the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat—will not be in the top-two.

A shortened season will benefit a team like the Boston Celtics, who have veteran leadership and understand what it takes to win in this league.

Make no mistake about it, this will be a team as tired as any in the league come postseason as a result, yet the Celtics should find themselves in the top-two in the East at the end of the regular season.

Bench players like Marquis Daniels and Brandon Bass will have to step it up this season, yet it is likely this team gets over the hump and back into the mix of things at the top.

In turn the Celtics should make the Eastern Conference Finals, where they are likely to get taken down by the Miami Heat.

All Eyes Will Be on Marquis Daniels Soon Enough

He's back and ready to prove why he's an important piece to the puzzle for this Boston Celtics team.

After Daniels went down to injury prior to the trade deadline, the Celtics went ahead and brought in Jeff Green from the Oklahoma City Thunder, as many didn't even realize Daniels was gone as a result.

Yet Daniels is back from being sidelined for the second-half of last season, and will could make or break this team's season. His tough, physical defense will be key against some of the stronger, deeper teams in the league coming off the bench.

Look out for Daniels to have a career-best season in 2011-2012.

In his first preseason game, Daniels went 5-of-7 from the field for 11 points.

Celtics Shock Spike Lee on Christmas Day

As talented as this Knicks roster has looked, the Celtics should come up with a win at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day.

A shortened offseason and lack of time together as a unit will get to the Knicks in this one. Soon enough these Knicks will be as good as any team in the East. This could easily be the case several months from now.

Yet, for the time being, the yet-to-be-tested Knicks will have their have hands full when Garnett and company come to the Big Apple.

Kevin Garnett Will Have a Breakout Season

The Boston Celtics feature a depleted, especially weak frontcourt that will require Garnett to make the most of his minutes on the floor.

This season Garnett should break loose for this team, averaging close to 20 points per game and over 10 boards a contest. His double-double average numbers will be significant for this team this season.

Last season the Celtics were among the worst in the NBA in the rebounding department, as Garnett will be sure to provide a lift in this area this season.