(My Sportsbook) - Now that Rajon Rondo's pockets will be fatter thanks to a new multi-year contract, he can focus on leading the
Boston Celtics to a 5-0 start tonight against the Atlantic Division-rival
Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center.
The Boston Herald is reporting the point guard's deal is for five years, starting with the 2010-11 season, and is worth about $55 million. Rondo is averaging 6.5 points and 11.8 assists per game this season for Boston, which has won its first four games of the season, including Sunday's 97-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in the finale of a three-game homestand at TD Garden. Paul Pierce scored 27 points to help keep the Celtics unbeaten, while Ray Allen finished with 17 points in a winning effort.
Kevin Garnett contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and both Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace netted 12 points for Boston, which is 4-0 for the first time since opening the 2007-08 NBA championship season with eight consecutive victories.
"Give them credit, they made a lot of shots down the stretch," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of the Hornets. "I told our guys, so far this year, we've done a great job of each game building and improving. This was not one of those nights."
The Celtics will also visit Minnesota on the brief road trip.
Philadelphia has won back-to-back games since opening the season with a loss at Orlando. It grinded out a 141-127 overtime victory against the New York Knicks on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, as Andre Iguodala recorded 32 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the way. Lou Williams also filled the stat sheet for the 76ers, posting 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand registered 25 and 16 points, respectively, for Philadelphia, which scored the final 17 points of the extra period to seal the win in the Big Apple. Marreese Speights came off the bench and ended with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
"Both teams really gave it all, both teams gutted it out," Sixers head coach Eddie Jordan said. "Both teams were determined and we just got loose [in the overtime]...We just continued to attack and attack."
Boston won all four meetings with Philadelphia a year ago and is 10-4 over the previous 14 matchups between the clubs. The Celtics are unbeaten in their past four trips to the City of Brotherly Love.
