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03/30/2009 - Sacramento, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jason Thompson was one of seven Kings in double figures, logging 21 points and eight rebounds as Sacramento dealt Phoenix's playoff chances a crushing blow in a 126-118 decision over the Suns.
Spencer Hawes tied a career-high with 20 points in addition to 10 rebounds, while Andres Nocioni and Francisco Garcia chipped in 19 points apiece for Sacramento, which had lost six straight to Phoenix and seven of eight overall coming in.
After four straight 50-plus win campaigns, the Suns find themselves in an unfamiliar situation, sitting 3 1/2 games behind Dallas for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race with eight games to play.
Steve Nash provided a solid 31-point, 14-assist effort, but Phoenix dropped its third straight affair following a promising six-game winning streak. Shaquille O'Neal ended with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Jared Dudley contributed 17 and 11 off the bench in the inexcusable setback.
The Kings led 105-96 to open the fourth and dictated the game's pace in the final stanza. After Nash's three-pointer and Dudley's layup cut the Suns' deficit to 115-110 with under six minute left, Hawes netted a bucket after Beno Udrih corralled his own miss.
An O'Neal free throw made it a five-point game with just over two minutes left, but Rashad McCants rose over Grant Hill and hit a huge jumper from the elbow as the shot clock was winding down on the next possession.
Nash kept the Suns in it with a three to get within 123-118 with 1:23 to go, but it proved to be their last field goal, putting the club's playoff hopes on life support.
Despite Hill's 13 first-quarter points the Suns trailed 35-33 after 12 minutes of play. Nash hit a trey to end the high-scoring half and cut the visitors' deficit to 70-64.
The Kings continued with the hot hand after the break, rattling off 10 straight points late in the third to take a healthy 99-85 lead. Udrih scored six during the stretch and his jumper capped it with 3 1/2 minutes to go in the frame.
Game Notes
Hill ended with 19 points and Jason Richardson checked in with 16 for Phoenix, which made just 16-of-28 at the foul line, where the Kings went 21-of-27... Kevin Martin had 17 points, Udrih 16 and McCants 12 for Sacramento...The Suns next play at home against Houston on Wednesday.
<< Pair of Hockey East teams highlight 2009 Frozen Four
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston University and the University of
Vermont, both from Hockey East, highlight the final four schools in the NCAA
men's ice hockey tournament, set for April 9-11 at Verizon Center in
Washing
<< Hornets gain ground, but Spurs clinch playoff spot after Suns lose
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - David West went 11-for-11 from the free
throw line as part of a 23-point effort, and the New Orleans Hornets made up
some ground in the Southwest Division with a 90-86 victory over the San
Antonio
<< Wild fend off Oilers in battle of playoff-hopefuls
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marian Gaborik scored the game-winning goal
and dished out an assist, as the Minnesota Wild edged the Edmonton Oilers,
3-2, in a battle between two playoff-hopeful teams at Rexall Place.
Andrew Brunett
<< Ryan, Ducks keep Avalanche in freefall
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bobby Ryan scored twice in Anaheim's 4-1 win
over the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center.
Corey Perry and Drew Miller also tallied for the Ducks, who have won six of
their last seven games. Jonas Hiller t
Van der Vaart denies Chelsea rumors >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Netherlands midfield ace Rafael van der Vaart
has denied reports suggesting that he is close to agreeing to a move to
Chelsea from Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old has struggled to make his mark at th
Kroenke increases stake in Arsenal >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - American business tycoon Stan Kroenke has
increased his stake in Arsenal to just over 20 percent after purchasing
further shares from fellow director Danny Fiszman.
The Gunners board have acted t
Cannavaro cools Real exit rumors >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro
has played down reports linking him with a move back to Italy to join AC Milan
next summer.
The 35-year-old central defender is out of contract at the end of the
Petrov nears return for City >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Long-term injury absentee Martin Petrov
has handed Manchester City a timely boost by returning to training.
The 30-year-old Bulgaria international winger has been sidelined by knee
ligament damag
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
Sportsbook betting odds favor Europe in Ryder Cup
September 19, – Despite holding a decided edge in the all-time series, with 24 wins, 2 ties and 10 losses, Team USA is the underdog again heading into the Ryder Cup in Kidare, Ireland this weekend, according to MySportsbook.com. The Europeans have captured four of the past five editions, including their largest victory ever, an 18 ½ to 9 ½ thumping in Michigan in 2004. Current Ryder Cup betting odds favor the Europeans to continue their winning ways; they are a 4-5 bet to take the title, compared to 6-5 for the Americans.
Despite being knocked out in the first round of World Match play by Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods is predicted to lead the US charge and be their highest point scorer for the week, with odds listed at 9-4 that he outpoints all other American players, including Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to name a few. Team USA has four relatively unknown players on the roster but all four are 2007 tournament winners and have posted some of season’s best performances, each earning over $1.5 million on the PGA TOUR. They include Zach Johnson, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Brett Wetterich.
The experienced European squad includes the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, who’s emotions will be tested after the passing of his wife to a battle with cancer. Donald and Garcia are in particularly good form and each is a 5-1 bet to lead the European squad in the points race. Donald has proven he can go head to head with Woods at a major event after a run for the $1.2 million purse at the PGA Championship. Garcia’s Ryder Cup credentials prove he’s ready for battle too.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your golf sportsbook needs.
Ryder Cup Odds| Europe Tie USA |
4-5 10-1 6-5 |
| Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Phil Mickelson Chris DiMarco David Toms Stewart Cink Chad Campbell Scott Verplank Zach Johnson Vaughan Taylor JJ Henry Brett Wetterich |
9-4 4-1 5-1 7-1 8-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 25-1 30-1 30-1 50-1 |
| Sergio Garcia Luke Donald Padraig Harrington Colin Montgomerie Darren Clarke David Howell Lee Westwood Paul Casey Henrik Stenson Jose Maria Olazabal Paul McGinley Robert Karlsson |
5-1 5-1 6-1 13-2 8-1 9-1 9-1 11-1 12-1 12-1 20-1 25-1 |
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com
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