Heat, Bobcats meet in Southeast clash
Basketball Betting Lines
01/02/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Southeast Division rivals meet in the shadow of South Beach
Saturday when the Miami Heat play host to the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Heat, who are opening a three-game homestand this afternoon, are coming
off a winless two-game road trip. In its most recent affair in San Antonio
on Thursday, Tim Duncan finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, as the Spurs
handed Miami its most lopsided loss of the season, a 108-78 drubbing.
Michael Beasley had 26 points and eight rebounds to pace Miami, which was held
to a season-low in points. Dwyane Wade was limited to 16 points on 6-of-18
shooting and had seven turnovers to six assists.
The Heat, who were coming off a loss at New Orleans on Wednesday, had no other
player reach double-figures in scoring.
"We'll leave it up to our coaches to stress over it," Wade said of the
embarrassing loss. "It's one of those that we learn from and we move on."
The Bobcats, meanwhile, dropped the opener of a three-game road trip on
Wednesday in Toronto when Chris Bosh finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds,
as the Raptors pulled out a 107-103 victory over Charlotte.
Stephen Jackson scored a season-high 30 points to pace the Bobcats, who were
coming off a home win against Milwaukee on Monday, but continued their road
struggles in the setback falling to 1-14 away from home.
Raymond Felton ended with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Gerald Wallace
had 15 points and 16 boards.
"You can't win when you turn over the ball like that," Jackson said. "It's
been like that all season. We've got a lot of work to do."
Charlotte, which will finish its current trek in Cleveland on Sunday, dropped
three of four to the Heat last season including both meetings in Miami.
<< James, Cavs visit woeful Nets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Central Division-leading Cleveland Cavaliers should
have no trouble capturing their seventh straight win when they pay a visit to
the lowly New Jersey Nets this afternoon at the IZOD Center.
Cavs superstar LeBron James
<< Suns welcome Grizz to the desert
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Suns will close out a three-game homestand
Saturday versus the Memphis Grizzlies at US Airways Center.
Phoenix has beaten the mighty Lakers and Celtics to kick off the desert stand,
and most recently handed Bos
<< Thunder visit reeling Bucks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams heading in opposite directions meet in Brew City
Saturday when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Oklahoma City Thunder at the
Bradley Center.
The Bucks dropped their fourth straight contest in Orlando on Wednesday whe
<< Drama surrounds Alamo Bowl clash between Spartans and Red Raiders
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Despite a change on the sidelines for Texas
Tech, the Red Raiders will still show up in San Antonio this weekend to battle
the Michigan State Spartans in the Alamo Bowl.
The Red Raiders have played in a bow
<< PapaJohn's.com Bowl serves up Gamecocks against Huskies
Birmingham, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Making just their fourth bowl appearance
ever, the Connecticut Huskies will take on the South Carolina Gamecocks this
Saturday afternoon in the PapaJohns.com bowl in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Gamecocks storme
Rockets hope to blast off in Big Easy vs. Hornets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Southwest Division rivals clash in the Big Easy Saturday
when the New Orleans Hornets tangle with the Houston Rockets for the second
time in a week.
The Rockets defeated New Orleans, 108-100, in Houston on Tuesday when Aar
Kings hope to crown Mavs in Sacramento >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Southwest Division-leading Dallas Mavericks head west
Saturday to take on a Sacramento Kings team hoping to get back the services of
rookie star Tyreke Evans.
The Mavs dropped the opener of a three-game road trip to di
Blazers, Warriors collide in Portland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers will wrap up a four-game
homestand Saturday versus the Golden State Warriors at the Rose Garden.
Portland is 2-1 on the residency and is coming off Wednesday's 103-99 victory
versus the Los Angel
Thrashers aim to shake off bad luck against Islanders >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It is safe to say that the bounces are officially going
against the Atlanta Thrashers.
After a tough-luck loss last night, Atlanta looks to end a seven-game losing
streak tonight versus the New York Islanders at Nassau Col
Rangers try for home-and-home sweep of Hurricanes >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Rangers will aim for a home-and-home sweep of
Carolina today when they welcome the Hurricanes for a matchup at Madison
Square Garden.
The Rangers have won five of their last seven games overall, but the club h
Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting
So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.
Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?
If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)
Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).
In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.
Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.
As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.
(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)
If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.
Atlantic Coast Conference
Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech
The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.
Work left to do:
Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.
Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).
Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.
For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com
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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
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