Celtics' story is a long tale of woe

Basketball Betting Lines

02/08/2007 -

BOSTON (AP) -Paul Pierce didn't get a chance yet to read the inspirational book Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck left for him. The Boston captain was in the hospital with an elbow infection that derailed his return from a bad foot, and the book remained in his locker.

Wally Szczerbiak left the book behind when he went to get his ankle taped after a 91-79 loss to the Miami Heat extended Boston's franchise-record losing streak to 16 games Wednesday. And Tony Allen's copy of ``The Adversity Advantage,'' by blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer, was still in his locker, too; it's probably tough to carry a lot of stuff when you're walking in a full leg cast.

The first blind climber to summit Mount Everest, Weihenmayer was honored during a break in the Heat game Wednesday night as part of the Celtics' ``Heroes Among Us'' campaign. Grousbeck insisted the visit was long-planned and not timed to snap the team out of its franchise-record losing streak.

``If there's an advantage in adversity, I haven't found it yet,'' he said.

Neither has his team.

The Celtics matched their magic number with their 16th loss in a row - one for each of the titles that once made them the pride of the NBA. The league record of 23 straight in one season was set by the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1996 and matched by the Denver Nuggets in '98.

``Every game they're close,'' Grousbeck said. ``Every game, there's two or three players that succeed. There's someone scoring 23, someone scoring 27, getting rebounds, people diving for loose balls. There's a lot to like about it, and they're playing hard for Doc.

``But it's time for a 'W.'''

The Celtics won 16 titles from 1957-86 to establish themselves as the NBA's most prolific dynasty. But it's been a long time since the Celtics, who named their mascot ``Lucky'' and wear a shamrock on their uniforms, have had any good fortune.

The deaths of Reggie Lewis and Len Bias; the transparent tanking of the 1996-97 season in an attempt to obtain Tim Duncan, only to get a bad draw in the lottery; the disastrous tenure of Rick Pitino - all set back the quest for banner No. 17.

This year, it's been injuries that left the youngest team in the league without veteran leadership, or talent.

Center Theo Ratliff played just two games before being sidelined with a bulging disc. Allen tore his ACL just as he was emerging with a streak of 20-point games. Pierce missed 22 games with a stress reaction in his foot, then went back to sick bay with an infection and fever just as he was on the verge of returning.

``Obviously, it's a tough break,'' coach Doc Rivers said. ``But we've gotten used to that.''

The Celtics are 2-21 without Pierce, prompting one fan to hold up a poster that said: ``Wanted: Paul Pierce. Reward: a win.''

Pierce was released from the hospital on Thursday.

Szczerbiak had already sprained each ankle before attempting to block a shot on Wednesday night and landing on the foot of Leon Powe, who was sitting near the end of the Boston bench.

``Step on your teammate's foot on the bench? What else can go wrong?'' Szczerbiak said. ``It's like, gee, it's one of those things. ... It's just frustrating, right when I was starting to feel better.''

Rivers joked that he would go to a seven- or eight-man rotation - ``If we have seven or eight guys'' - but otherwise wouldn't change his approach.

``First of all, I am who I am. I ain't changing,'' he said. ``I believe in what I believe in offensively and defensively. And that ain't changing. And I believe it's the right thing, you just have to stick with it.''

But it would be nice to get a little luck.

Before loss No. 16, Rivers lamented the fact that Boston had back-to-back games against the Detroit Pistons, who had the best record in the Eastern Conference, and the defending champion Miami Heat. Just the Celtics' luck: Shaquille O'Neal leading a resurgent lineup after missing 35 games with torn cartilage in his knee.

``When he went down, the first thing I did was look at the freaking schedule. I said, 'He'll be back.' So what can you do?'' Rivers said Wednesday before the Heat beat Boston 91-79. ``We've got to be the only team that didn't play Miami without Shaq.

``That's how things go.''

That's how things have been going for the Celtics, at least.

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Wwwintelihealth Basketball Betting News

<< Kings forward hit with $1,942 in fees to recover seized dogs
LOOMIS, Calif. (AP) -Dogs owned by Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest have spent a total of 77 nights at the pound since July because of poor care by their owner, costing the NBA star $1,942 in boarding and impound fees, county records show.Placer

<< Mavs' Mbenga out for season with knee injury
DALLAS (AP) -Mavericks reserve center DJ Mbenga will miss the rest of the season because of a torn knee ligament.He is scheduled for surgery in two weeks, and there is no timetable for his return, the team said Thursday.Mbenga was hurt in the fourth

<< Kwame Brown's return won't happen soon
LOS ANGELES (AP) -Lakers center Kwame Brown, sidelined since spraining his left ankle Dec. 31, won't return to action any time soon.An MRI conducted by specialist David Porter in Indianapolis confirmed the Lakers' previous diagnosis of a severe spra

<< Garrett Reid was on heroin at time of accident
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (AP) - The 23-year-old son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid tested positive for heroin after he caused a traffic accident last week that left another motorist injured, police said Thursday.Garrett Reid, the oldest son of

<< Arroyo and Reds agree to $25 million, 2-year extension through 2010
CINCINNATI (AP) -Right-hander Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds agreed Thursday to a $25 million, two-year contract extension through 2010.Arroyo's previous contract contains $8,075,000 in remaining guaranteed salary: $4,125,000 this year and $

Stewart agrees to $1 million, 1-year deal with Oakland >>
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Outfielder Shannon Stewart and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract.Stewart can earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses under the deal, which was to be announced later Thursday.He

Hughes ready for spring training >>
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Phil Hughes has an outside chance of making the New York Yankees starting rotation at 20 years old.``I feel like I'm ready to go to spring training full speed,'' Hughes said Thursday. ``I'm not going to rule anything out.''Hughes s

Jazz still uncertain about Boozer's return >>
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -Utah forward Carlos Boozer's broken leg is healing, but perhaps not quickly enough for him to play in his first All-Star game, the Jazz said.Jazz vice president for basketball operations Kevin O'Connor on Thursday said tests sho

From goober pie to the Pink Pony, spring training is a fan's feast >>
When the players break out the bats and balls, it's time for fans to reach for the sunscreen and road map. All over the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues, little dots of towns spring to life for spring training. For rookie visitors, here's a look at whe

Suns might have to shoulder load if Nash is out >>
PHOENIX (AP) -Steve Nash might sit out Friday's game against Atlanta because of a sore right shoulder, although he and Suns coach Mike D'Antoni believe the injury poses no long-term problems.The league's two-time defending MVP did not practice Thurs

Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.