Celtics host Spurs in Beantown

Basketball Betting Lines

02/08/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of division leaders collide this afternoon at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden where the Celtics will host the San Antonio Spurs.

The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics are back on track after having a 12-game winning streak stopped by the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Thursday. They rebounded with a 110-100 triumph at New York Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Paul Pierce recorded 26 points and Ray Allen had 22 for the Celtics, who will put their impressive 24-3 home record on the line Sunday. Kevin Garnett ended with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Rajon Rondo chipped in 12 points, 10 boards and seven assists for the defending champions.

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers was fined $15,000 by the NBA on Saturday for his verbal abuse of officials following Thursday's 110-109 overtime loss to the Lakers.

San Antonio will resume its eight-game road trip today and had its four-game winning streak come to an end with Tuesday's 104-96 defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.

Roger Mason led the shorthanded Spurs with 26 points, six assists and five rebounds, as San Antonio fell to 1-1 on the trek without starters Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Head coach Gregg Popovich elected to rest the trio following the team's overtime win at Golden State on Monday.

The Big Three are expected to return this afternoon for the Southwest Division-leading Spurs, who are 15-8 as the guest this season and will also visit the Nets, Raptors, Knicks, Pistons and Wizards. Ginobili is probable for Sunday's game with a bruised left hip.

Boston swept the home-and-home series with San Antonio a year ago and has won three straight after losing the last 18 meetings. The Spurs, however, are 24-4 in the past 28 matchups in this series between the past two NBA champions.

San Antonio has won 12 of its last 14 games in Beantown.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

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