Computer system predicts Celtics to win NBA championship
By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 08:27:00 05/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Boston Celtics have the best chance of winning this season’s National Basketball Association (NBA) title, according to a computer system developed by Chinese PC maker Lenovo.
Called the Lenovo Stat, the system analyzes the most effective combinations of players in each team, calculating point differentials for every game a certain team plays.
According to Lenovo, the Celtics' five-man combination of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo garnered the most points and therefore, the most powerful team on the court.
Boston finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA and is currently battling lowest-seed Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
The New Orleans Hornets, led by MVP candidate Chris Paul, is ranked second ahead of the Detroit Pistons, according to Lenovo's rankings.
The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, have earned three spots in the Top 10 -- sixth being the highest -- based on different five-man combinations. The Lakers, though, were the first to advance to the second round after sweeping the Denver Nuggets.
The NBA officially adopted Lenovo stat last season, following a partnership between the league and the Chinese firm. Results are made available after every game on NBA.com.
Last season, the Houston Rockets had the top-ranked combination followed by Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. Dallas and Houston, however, were later on eliminated in the first round in last year's playoffs.
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