Jazz still uncertain about Boozer's return
Basketball Betting Lines
02/08/2007 - SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -Utah forward Carlos Boozer's broken leg is healing, but perhaps not quickly enough for him to play in his first All-Star game, the Jazz said. Jazz vice president for basketball operations Kevin O'Connor on Thursday said tests showed the fracture below Boozer's left knee is getting better. His status for the All-Star game Feb. 18 will be up to Boozer and the NBA, which named him as a Western Conference reserve last week. Boozer was injured Jan. 27 in a game against the Hornets. Boozer said last week that he hoped he could still play in the All-Star game despite the injury. Utah has three games before the All-Star break next week, and O'Connor said it was unlikely Boozer would be playing in any of them. But if he is cleared in time for the All-Star game and the NBA hasn't replaced Boozer on the roster, O'Connor said the Jazz wouldn't tell him to sit out the game. ``I think anybody would want to play in an All-Star game, especially their first one,'' O'Connor said. ``It's an honor for the organization, for Carlos, but they (the NBA) have to determine all of that.'' Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Hughes ready for spring training
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Phil Hughes has an outside chance of making the New York Yankees starting rotation at 20 years old.``I feel like I'm ready to go to spring training full speed,'' Hughes said Thursday. ``I'm not going to rule anything out.''Hughes s
<< Stewart agrees to $1 million, 1-year deal with Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Outfielder Shannon Stewart and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract.Stewart can earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses under the deal, which was to be announced later Thursday.He
<< Celtics' story is a long tale of woe
BOSTON (AP) -Paul Pierce didn't get a chance yet to read the inspirational book Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck left for him. The Boston captain was in the hospital with an elbow infection that derailed his return from a bad foot, and the book remained
<< Shapiro working on extension with Indians
CLEVELAND (AP) -Mark Shapiro has one more contract he'd like to get finalized before the end of spring training - his own.The Indians general manager, in the final season of a two-year extension he signed in 2004, has had productive negotiations wit
<< Kings forward hit with $1,942 in fees to recover seized dogs
LOOMIS, Calif. (AP) -Dogs owned by Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest have spent a total of 77 nights at the pound since July because of poor care by their owner, costing the NBA star $1,942 in boarding and impound fees, county records show.Placer
From goober pie to the Pink Pony, spring training is a fan's feast >>
When the players break out the bats and balls, it's time for fans to reach for the sunscreen and road map. All over the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues, little dots of towns spring to life for spring training. For rookie visitors, here's a look at whe
Suns might have to shoulder load if Nash is out >>
PHOENIX (AP) -Steve Nash might sit out Friday's game against Atlanta because of a sore right shoulder, although he and Suns coach Mike D'Antoni believe the injury poses no long-term problems.The league's two-time defending MVP did not practice Thurs
Arroyo gets $25 million, 2-year extension through 2010 >>
CINCINNATI (AP) -In their biggest spending splurge since they brought Ken Griffey Jr. home, the Cincinnati Reds have locked up their top two starting pitchers for the next four years.It's a sign of how priorities have changed.Right-hander Bronson Ar
Browns add more assistants >>
CLEVELAND (AP) -Browns coach Romeo Crennel completed the shakeup of his staff on Thursday, appointing Umberto Leone defensive quality control coach, Mike Sullivan assistant offensive line coach and Frank Verducci offensive assistant.Leone served the
Arenas, Nowitzki in All-Star 3-point contest >>
NEW YORK (AP) -Gilbert Arenas will get another shot at Dirk Nowitzki in the 3-point contest.The NBA announced the entire six-player field Thursday, though Arenas had already leaked the news that he would participate in the All-Star Saturday event la
Elite 8 NCAA Tournament Betting at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
In what should be an outstanding Saturday of March Madness betting action, the top four teams in the South and West Regions square off in what should be extremely close match-ups. Three of the four teams are coming off extremely close games on Thursday evening, only UCLA won semi comfortably over Pitt 64-55.
Ohio State is coming off their second game in a row where in all reality they should have lost. Of course that doesn’t matter now since the name of the game is “survive and advance” but as the tournament continues, they can’t afford to keep getting down to their opponents early. Kansas also avoided a scare by holding off a scrappy Southern Illinois squad. In the third thrilling game of the evening Memphis pulled off the minor upset (+3.5) despite being the higher seed to Texas A&M.
Although the spreads are fairly small for Saturday’s games, MySportsbook.com continue to bet against the underdogs. Despite OSU’s two scares, 86% of the “betting public” feels the Buckeyes (-1.5) have what it takes to make the Final Four. In fact, so much of the early money is on OSU that the line has already moved from -1 to -1.5. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas and their high-powered offense are 2 point favorites as they take on UCLA and their effective defense. About 63% of the early money thus far is once again backing the favorites. If those percentages stay that high, don’t be surprised if this line moves as well. If you like Kansas (-2) you might want to jump on it early.
Memphis vs. Ohio State
Both squads were involved in thrillers on Thursday evening and should come out fired up. OSU can ill afford to get behind early like they did versus their previous two opponents (Xavier, Tennessee). Greg Oden needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Buckeyes are a completely different team when he is on the court. Memphis definitely has the athleticism and length to match-up with OSU. Of Memphis’ five leading minute earners, the shortest of the bunch is 6’5”. Each team has a very effective defense; Memphis surrenders 62.3 PPG whereas the Buckeyes give up only 61 PPG. With those type of numbers, it isn’t surprising that Memphis covered the UNDER almost 69% of the time this season. As a favorite, OSU has covered the UNDER almost 66% of the time over the last three seasons. The major concern for Memphis which is magnifies this time of the year is their brutal foul shooting (62%). This season, OSU is 17-11 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in all tournament games. Memphis has been an extremely reliable cover in tournament play in recent years with a 23-8 ATS record over the last three seasons.
UCLA vs. Kansas
In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, UCLA will play in a role which they are very unfamiliar with that of the underdog. Only twice this season have they been getting points from the handicappers and both times they covered. Over the last three seasons UCLA is a reliable 23-7 ATS in this unfamiliar role. UCLA has not fared well against Big 12 opponents recently going 1-7 ATS since 1997. Giving up only 59.6 PPG, UCLA will definitely look to do what they do best: keep this game as low scoring as possible. Their defense has been especially tough during the tournament. UCLA opponents have been able to muster up only 48.7 PPG while shooting a combined 34.5% from the field. UCLA definitely has a challenge at hand with a Kansas team that is capable of putting points on the board in bunches. As a team, they average 79 PPG and shoot an impressive 49.6% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. During the tournament Kansas has been “lights out” from the field having shot 56.2%.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards
|
