=== Celtics roll the dice with West ===

By John McMullen, NBA Editor

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat may have dominated the
offseason headlines, but the Boston Celtics are still the top dogs in the East.

After taking the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in the NBA Finals last
season, the veteran-laden Celtics could have gone in two different directions.
Coach Doc Rivers' contract was up, while veteran sharpshooter Ray Allen was a
free agent and All-Star forward Paul Pierce could have opted out of his deal.

Basketball chief Danny Ainge could have pulled the plug and got started on the
inevitable rebuilding process, or convinced the band to get back together to
take one more stab at capturing the franchise's 18th NBA championship.

Ainge made his decision, booked the Hard Rock and convinced Rivers to return,
while re-signing Allen and securing a still formidable but declining Pierce
for another four seasons.

With his core four of Allen, Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo back in the
fold, Rivers certainly knows he has a contender but his club has already
forfeited the make-believe mantle of favorite in the much-......