The ugly specter of the Lockout had loomed big over the NBA landscape until earlier this month. The NBA has successfully tipped off in earnest over Christmas weekend with both the players and the owners ultimately arriving at a contract. The NBA welcoming committee journeys to the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. when the Celts (1-3) face the Washington Wizards (0-3). Both teams enter the competition with shaky records and a slow start to the year. The sports book appears to have the nod on the better squad as the line presently stands – Boston (-7) 184 ½ .

College football odds

The Celtics come into the game attempting to bounce back from a unsatisfactory year last year as their 56-26 record got them bounced out of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 4-1 by the Heat. This year symbolizes a turning point for the Celtics as Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are in the final year of their respective contracts. It is improbable that the Celtics will have the ability to resign both players as the “Big 3″ era may come to a close. In this youthful year, the Celtics are lead by Ray Allen and his regular long distance pyrotechnics. Celebrity point guard Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce offer a dependable complimentary force behind Allen. The damage of 15 prior NBA seasons might be catching up with Kevin Garnett, who has gotten off to a slow start. Guard Keyon Dooling has provided an excellent shooting spark off of the bench. The Celtics come in averaging 96.3 PPG and allowing 100.8 PPG.

College football odds

The Wizards enter the competition attempting to right the good ship previously identified as the Bullets. The breakout of superstar shooting guard Nick Young who averaged more than 20 ppg until going down with injury had buoyed Washington’s sub-par year last year, when they went 23-59. The Wizards this season are averaging 82.7 PPG, which is among the worst showings in the league. Washington is allowing 97.7 PPG on average, which is somewhat better than the Celtics. Guards Nick Young and John Wall steady the balanced Wizards attack.