Celtics Set Sights on 18th World Title | Thebigtip

The Boston Celtics are chasing an incredible 18th World Championship after narrowly missing out on achieving that feat last season, going down to Kobe Bryant’s LA Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA championship series 83-79.

That loss has only made the C’s hungrier for another championship, having last won a record 17th World Championship in 2008 against their arch rivals from Los Angeles.

Boston recently won eleven straight on the back of a buzzer-beater by clutch forward Paul ‘The Truth’ Pierce, who hit a step back jumper with 0.4 seconds remaining to put an end to New York’s eight-game winning streak, 118-116.

The Celts are now 20-4, dominating the Atlantic Division. A major positive at this stage of the season is that Boston has very few injury concerns. Veterans Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are playing as though they are in the prime of their careers.

Against the in-form Knicks, Garnett scored 20 points and pulled down 13 boards while Allen shot well for 26 points and floor general Rajon Rondo dished out an impressive 14 assists. Pierce led the scoring for the Celtics with 32, including 10/10 from the charity stripe.

Boston has the team to win this season’s NBA championship but there are several other strong contenders such as the reigning champion LA Lakers, LeBron’s Miami Heat, the up-and-coming Oklahoma City and the ever-consistent San Antonio Spurs.

Whenever you have a player such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Kevin Durant in your squad, there is a likelihood your team could make it to the big dance. Bryant is arguably the most clutch performer in the world, James has now settled in well at his new club and many believe Durant is fast becoming an elite player who deserves to have his name etched alongside Bryant and James.

The obvious question mark over the chances of the star-studded Miami Heat taking out the championship is whether its starting point guard, Puerto Rican Carlos Arroyo, has the ability to take the Heat all the way.

Bryant would be confident his Lakers can return to glory but winning consecutive championships won’t be easy. Veterans can never be under-estimated, particularly when they include premier defender "Ron-Ron" Artest and Spanish sensation Pau Gasol. The experience of this club makes them a top chance to win again.

The surprise packet of the season is the outstanding San Antonio Spurs. Argentinean Manu Ginobili recently scored 26 points, including a buzzer beater to defeat Andrew Bogut’s Milwaukee Bucks by two points. Other stars in the Spurs line-up include Frenchman Tony Parker and veteran Tim Duncan. Not even Parker’s much talked about infidelities could dampen the spirit of the Spurs.

These days the NBA truly can call the grand final series a World Championship with several stars coming from overseas. This has increased the quality of the competition.

For Boston to place another trophy in its glorious cabinet, the team will need to remain free of major injury concerns. However, as long as Garnett is out there blocking shots and dominating the boards, Allen is banging down threes, Rondo is dishing out assists and Pierce is stepping to the plate for the big plays, the Green look mighty hard to beat!