Celtics and Spurs clash in Beantown

Basketball Betting Lines

03/28/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics clinched their third straight Atlantic Division title in their last outing. Now, Doc Rivers' club hopes to get to work on improving its playoff position in the Eastern Conference when it hosts the San Antonio Spurs.

Paul Pierce finished with 22 points and eight rebounds on Friday, as the Celtics took a 94-86 win over the Sacramento Kings on a night they wrapped up the Atlantic crown.

The third straight division title something Boston hasn't done since taking five in a row from 1984-1988.

Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Ray Allen finished with 20 points in the win, the Celtics' sixth in their last seven games. Rajon Rondo had a career-high 18 assists in the victory.

Rondo also had three steals, which gave him the Celtics' franchise record for steals in a season. He had entered the contest tied with Rick Fox at 167.

"I think tonight we were more appreciative of Rondo, and his accomplishments," said Garnett. "Any time you get any kind of record in this organization on a team like what we have, is a huge thing. We are just appreciative of being in the moment, being here, being a part of it. It is a very special moment, and no one even talked about the division title tonight. Tonight was Rondo's night."

Boston is now third in the East, a game ahead of Atlanta and three games south of Orlando for the second spot with 10 games to play.

The Spurs, meanwhile, are coming off a huge win over Cleveland on Friday. Manu Ginobili scored half of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, rallying San Antonio past the Cavaliers, 102-97, and snapping Cleveland's eight-game winning streak.

Richard Jefferson and Tim Duncan each registered 16 points, while George Hill chipped in 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists, as the Spurs bounced back from a nine-point home loss to the Lakers on Wednesday to stay in the seventh place in the Western Conference, percentage points ahead of Portland.

"It was a fun game," Ginobili said. "Every time you play the best in the league it's a real challenge. We are very happy to have won this one. We are still a little sad about the last game with the Lakers...we feel we could have won it too...but that shows that even though we haven't had a great season we are not that far away. If we can get a little bit better every game we will be in good shape."

Tonight's game marks the first time veteran Michael Finley will be facing San Antonio since the Spurs waived him on March 1. The Celtics signed the swingman Finley five days later and he has averaged 5.8 points in Beantown.

The Celtics have won four of their last five games against the Spurs, including a 90-83 triumph at San Antonio back in December.

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MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

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Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)		 5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.