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Grizzlies aim to bounce back at New JerseyBasketball Betting Lines02/21/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Memphis Grizzlies have faltered over the past few weeks and hope a matchup against the woeful New Jersey Nets tonight will get them back in the hunt for a playoff spot. Memphis is 3 1/2 games off the final postseason berth in the Western Conference and has lost six of its last seven games, including Friday's 100-87 loss in double overtime versus the Miami Heat. Marc Gasol's 22 points wasn't enough to lift the Grizzlies, who got 16 points and 19 rebounds from All-Star Zach Randolph. Randolph is one of two NBA players (Chris Bosh) averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and needs seven more offensive rebounds to surpass Pau Gasol's single-season franchise record for total offensive boards (238 in 2001-02). O.J. Mayo added 17 points and Rudy Gay netted 15 for Memphis, which will try to improve its 9-17 road mark Sunday night. "Once we got to second overtime, we were buzz-killed," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "That was more of what led to tonight's loss than just them (Miami) making shots and us having turnovers. We had no more left in our tank." The Grizzlies, who entered the game averaging 102.5 points per game, were held under 100 points for the eighth time in the last 10 games. Newcomer Ronnie Brewer left the contest with a partially torn hamstring in the fourth quarter and is out indefinitely. Brewer was acquired from Utah a few days ago. New Jersey has lost the first two tests of a four-game homestand since its fifth win of the season at Charlotte on February 16. The Nets dropped to 3-23 at home following a 106-89 defeat versus the Toronto Raptors on Friday, as Brook Lopez scored a game-high 22 points and is the only Net to start in all 55 games, averaging a team-high 19.0 points and 8.9 rebounds. Lopez is also the only player in the NBA to average at least 19.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.93 blocks. Devin Harris recorded 19 points and 11 assists, while Courtney Lee scored 17 points for New Jersey, which fell to 5-50 on the season. "They shot the ball very well and capitalized on every mistake we made," said New Jersey head coach Kiki Vandeweghe. "They made their shots and when a team shoots 60 percent in a game you're not going to have much of a chance to win." The Nets, who have lost 10 of 11 games, will also welcome Portland to the Meadowlands. They have won two straight against the Grizzlies and three of the previous four matchups as the host in this series.
<< Spurs conclude Rodeo Trip at Detroit
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs will close out their Rodeo Road Trip this evening with a bout against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. San Antonio is 4-3 so far on the eight-city excursion and suffered
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<< Cavs try to end skid against Magic
<< Hokies visit Blue Devils in ACC action
<< Hawks make a stop in Golden State
Rockets pay a visit to Hornets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Southwest Division rivals jockeying for playoff positioning get together in the Big Easy tonight, as the Houston Rockets pay a visit to the New Orleans Hornets. New Orleans is two games off the eighth and final
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Online Sportsbook Football BettingColts give the ‘D’ its dueThe Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain. They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities. "They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure." Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line. New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest. Not so sound on the ground If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU. Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com “We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star. Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground. Brees says bring it on Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites. Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship. Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game. "I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time." SportsBooks ready for a shootout Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses. “This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.” New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts. The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game. “Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.” |
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