NBA: Celtics still a playoff threat

It has been an odd season for the Boston Celtics. Injuries continue to plague this aging team, the addition of Rasheed Wallace has yet to bear fruit and both Cleveland and Orlando have left Boston trailing.

But not rule them out just yet.

Whilst it is true that teams cannot just switch the quality play on for the playoffs, the Celtics know that it is the post-season where they will really be judged and they have plenty of proven weapons.

Rajon Rondo continues to be a revelation at the point. He has been the Celtics' star man this season and his speed and trickery give him an advantage in matchups with almost every guard in the league.

And the Big Three might be a little older but they are still outstanding talents. Though injury concerns persist for Kevin Garnett and now Paul Pierce, it seems as though Boston will enter the playoffs with a fully fit roster.

Anyone watching the Celtics against Cleveland and again in Toronto this week witnessed how dangerous Ray Allen still is as a perimeter scorer. Allen was the subject of much trade talk in February but he remains a key cog for Boston with his smooth shooting stroke and off the ball movement.

The Celtics will face either Milwaukee or Miami in the first round and their balanced attack should be too good. When the stakes are raised, expect to see the Garnett and Pierce of old resurface.

But then a showdown with the Cavaliers would potentially await in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The teams split the regular season series but LeBron James has had a field day in recent meetings. Boston would be underdogs but any team boasting Rondo and veterans like Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Wallace and Michael Finley cannot be discounted.

The elder statesmen on the team know this could be their last swing for a ring and that will provide a little extra motivation. The Celtics are outsiders to reach the NBA Finals but do not be surprised if the playoffs bring out the best in Boston.

NBA: Update on race for number two spot in West

A big win for the Dallas Mavericks in Portland on Friday night kept them in pole position for the second spot in the West - but there are bound to be more twists and turns over the final five days of the season.

The Denver Nuggets sit third at present - and host the San Antonio Spurs tonight - while Utah moved into fourth with a battling win in New Orleans.

And a loss for the Phoenix Suns against Kevin Durant's Thunder dropped Steve Nash and company down to the number five spot.

Dallas' remaining games: @ Kings, @ Clippers, v Spurs
Denver's remaining games: v Spurs, v Grizzlies, @ Suns
Utah's remaining games: @ Warriors, v Suns
Phoenix's remaining games: v Rockets, v Nuggets, @ Jazz

Soccer: Manchester United enter must-win territory

Sir Alex Ferguson has been in the game long enough to know that if his Manchester United side fail to win against Blackburn at Ewood Park on Sunday, they can forget about a fourth straight Premier League title.

Ten days ago, United looked a good bet for a Treble. But their season now lies in ruins after losing to Chelsea and being dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Their league hopes are not dead yet though. Chelsea must still visit Tottenham and Liverpool in the next few weeks and may well drop points. But United have to be perfect over the rest of the campaign.

Starting on Sunday, against an improving Blackburn side, the champions need a big response.