Thunder kick off road trip in Charlotte
Basketball Betting Lines
03/17/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There's still plenty of wiggle room left for the Oklahoma City Thunder to move up in the Western Conference standings. A lengthy winning
streak usually helps, as the Thunder shoot for a sixth straight win tonight
against the Charlotte Bobcats in the opener of a three-game road trip.
Oklahoma City is currently fifth in the conference standings and sits 3 1/2
games behind second-seeded Denver. Utah is only a game ahead in the fourth
spot, while Dallas has a three-game edge for third.
The Thunder will also visit Toronto and Indiana on the trek and are 19-13 away
from the Ford Center. They made it five consecutive victories with Sunday's
119-111 triumph versus the Jazz in the finale of a perfect homestand thanks to
30 points and 11 assists from Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant scored 35 points
and Jeff Green added 14 for Oklahoma City, which is 17-3 in its last 20 games.
"That was about as physical a basketball team as we're going to face," Thunder
coach Scott Brooks said of the Jazz. "It's great for our guys to experience it
and compete against a very veteran, physical, playoff-tested team."
Brooks' squad shot a season-best 60.3 percent from the floor and made a
season-high tying 44 field goals. Durant, who is second in the NBA with 29.8
ppg, has scored 30 or more points an NBA-best 37 times this season and the
Thunder are 26-11 in that span.
Charlotte hopes to get back on track after having its season-high six-game
winning streak cut short with Tuesday's 99-94 setback at Indiana.
Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw each scored 20 points for Charlotte, which is
tied with Miami for the sixth seed in the conference. Stephen Graham notched a
career-high 19 points, while Tyrus Thomas added 14 in defeat.
"We had a horrible second quarter...that just kind of set the tone. We got
beat on the offensive boards early, we didn't move the ball and we didn't
recognize when guys were open," said Charlotte coach Larry Brown.
Bobcats star forward Gerald Wallace missed a second straight game with an
ankle injury, and is averaging 18.5 points per game. He is doubtful versus the
Thunder. The Bobcats have won four in a row at home and are 24-8 in the Tar
Heel State this season.
Oklahoma City is 19-6 versus the Eastern Conference this season and defeated
Charlotte, 98-91, back on December 26 at the Ford Center. Durant poured in 30
points and Westbrook added 22 in that one.
<< Redskins sign QB Grossman
Ashburn, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Redskins have signed
quarterback Rex Grossman.
Grossman has seven years of NFL experience, and spent last season with
Houston in a backup role. He played in one game, complet
<< Blackhawks limp into Honda Center to battle Ducks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago has had a hard enough time picking up victories in
Anaheim without having injuries to worry about. Nonetheless, the Blackhawks
could be without as many as four key skaters tonight when they visit the
Honda Center to t
<< Avs attempt to extend win streak over Flames
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche will try for their fourth straight
win overall as well as their seventh victory in a row over the Calgary Flames
tonight when the two teams clash at Pepsi Center.
The Avalanche's current winning stre
<< Devils try to extend domination of Penguins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A huge battle in the Atlantic Division race is on tap
tonight in Newark, pitting the host New Jersey Devils against the Pittsburgh
Penguins at Prudential Center.
The Penguins, of course, are the defending Stanley Cup champ
<< Red Sox prospect Westmoreland has successful surgery
Fort Myers, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland
had successful brain surgery Tuesday.
The procedure, which lasted five hours, removed a cavernous malformation that
was diagnosed earlier this month after he ex
Knicks make a stop in Boston for St. Patrick's Day >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics are closing in on their third straight
Atlantic Division title and will face another inferior opponent tonight on St.
Patrick's Day against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.
Boston rebounded from a loss
Spurs finish Florida trip in Orlando >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An intriguing interconference matchup is on tap tonight in
central Florida, where the San Antonio Spurs take on the playoff-bound Orlando
Magic at Amway Arena.
San Antonio is still trying to solidify a postseason spot in t
Basement brawl: Woeful Nets visit lowly Sixers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The bottom two teams of the Atlantic Division will go head-
to-head for the final time of the 2009-10 campaign this evening at the
Wachovia Center, where the homestanding 76ers aim for a season sweep of the
dismal
Reeling Bulls visit powerhouse Mavs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls have picked a bad time to start playing
poorly and their chances of ending an eight-game slide don't look so promising
with tonight's road matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Bulls have also dropped
Road-weary Pacers try to fix issues in Cleveland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An Indiana Pacers team that's had its share of troubles on
the road will face another tough challenge in tonight's visit to Quicken Loans
Arena for a bout with the NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Pacers have lost eigh
American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.
It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.
Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
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