The unsightly specter of the Lockout had loomed big over the NBA landscape until earlier this month. The NBA has effectively tipped off in earnest over Christmas weekend with both the players and the owners at last arriving at a contract. The NBA welcoming committee journeys to the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. when the Boston Celtics (1-3) face the Wizards (0-3). Both teams come into play with unreliable records and a slow beginning to the year. The sportsbook appears to have the nod on the better team as the line presently stands – Boston (-7) 184 ½ .

Super Bowl odds

The Celtics come into the game trying 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 signifies a turning point for the Celtics as Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are in the final year of their respective contracts. It’s unlikely that the Celtics will have the ability to resign both players as the “Big 3″ era could come to a close. In this young year, the Celtics are lead by Ray Allen and his standard long distance pyrotechnics. Star point guard Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce offer a regular complimentary force behind Allen. The wear and tear of 15 previous NBA seasons could be catching up with Kevin Garnett, who has gotten off to a slow beginning. Guard Keyon Dooling has offered an amazing shooting spark off of the bench. The Celtics come in averaging 96.3 PPG and permitting 100.8 PPG.

College football odds

The Wizards come into play trying to right the good ship formerly referred to as the Bullets. Washington had a sub-par 23-59 year last year but was lifted by the breakout of star shooting guard Nick Young who averaged more than 20 ppg until going down with injury. The Wizards this season are averaging 82.7 PPG, which is one of the worst showings in the league. Washington is permitting 97.7 PPG on average, which is slightly better than the Celtics. Guards Nick Young and John Wall level the balanced Wizards attack.