Celtics shoot for 13th straight win over lowly Nets

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02/27/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Expect the Atlantic Division's remake of Beauty and the Beast this afternoon as the first place Boston Celtics host the cellar- dwelling New Jersey Nets.

The Celtics play the beauty is this version, having beaten the ugly-duckling Nets 12 straight times. A win this afternoon against New Jersey, which is a miserable 2-27 on the road and still on pace the challenge the NBA's worst team ever, the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, would give Boston a series sweep over the Nets for the third consecutive year.

The C's are cruising toward another division title but stumbled in their last outing on Thursday against fellow Eastern Conference power Cleveland. LeBron James scored 36, and Mo Williams tallied 14 of his 19 points in the final quarter in that one, as the Cavaliers overcame a thumb injury to Shaquille O'Neal and surged in the second half for a 108-88 win over Boston in Beantown.

Boston had beaten the Cavs nine straight times at home, including the playoffs.

"You get the monkey off your back, don't look too far into it though," James said. "We played well enough to win, but we have another game tomorrow against Toronto and we hope to play the same way."

Ray Allen had 21 points to lead the Celtics, who had won four of their last five games entering Thursday. Rajon Rondo contributed 19 points and 11 assists, while Kevin Garnett ended with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Boston played without star forward Paul Pierce, who missed his second straight game due to a sore right thumb. The Celtics missed him in a big way, as they went just 3-of-21 shooting in the last quarter.

"We got everything we wanted," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "I really thought the difference of the two halves was in the first half Cleveland played like us. The ball didn't move for them offensively; they were a one pass, shot offense. We were attacking and we were multiple pass, multiple pick In the second half, we became them and they attacked us."

Pierce, who is also battling the flu, remains up in the air for this afternoon's game but it's doubtful Rivers will rush him back with New Jersey on the docket.

The Nets nightmare season continued on Tuesday when Brandon Roy scored 28 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 27, as Portland washed away an ugly loss to Utah on Sunday with a 102-93 victory against New Jersey.

Devin Harris and Courtney Lee both provided 28 points in yet another loss for the Nets, who set a new franchise-low with their eighth straight defeat at home Tuesday.

Brook Lopez continued to be one of the team's lone bright spots in an otherwise lost season, posting 17 points and 10 rebounds.

"They took advantage of our defense early on, got some transition buckets and the intensity wasn't there," said Harris. "We fought back, but you can't give a team that big of a head start."

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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