Ckippers Basketball Betting News

<< Rangers edge Flyers to pull even for East's final playoff berth
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marian Gaborik notched the game-winner late in the second period, as the New York Rangers stayed alive in the race for a playoff berth with a 4-3 victory over Philadelphia in the opener of a crucial home-an

<< Bertuzzi, Howard help Detroit move to fifth spot
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Todd Bertuzzi netted the shootout winner and Jimmy Howard recorded 22 saves for his third shutout of the season, as Detroit picked up a key two points for playoff positioning with a 1-0 win to close out a home-

<< Delfino paces Bucks over Sixers
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Delfino hit five three-pointers on his way to 23 points, as the playoff-bound Milwaukee Bucks held on to top the Philadelphia 76ers, 95-90, at Wachovia Center. Luke Ridnour shot 8-of-12 and had

<< Magic rout Knicks
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Vince Carter and Dwight Howard each poured in 25 points, and the Orlando Magic handled the New York Knicks, 118-103, at Amway Arena. Howard added 13 rebounds for his league-leading 61st double-double

Rays hammer Vazquez, Yankees >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar each clubbed two-run homers, and David Price pitched into the eighth inning as the Rays blew out the New York Yankees, 9-3, in the opener of a three-game series. Jason Ba

Lakers clinch West's No. 1 seed, beat Timberwolves >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pau Gasol was the offensive catalyst for the Kobe Bryant-less Lakers, tallying 29 points and 15 rebounds to help Los Angeles secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a 97-88 decision over Mi

Blatche and Wizards take down Boston >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andray Blatche poured in 31 points and came down with 11 rebounds and the Wizards snapped a six-game skid against Boston with a 106-96 triumph at TD Garden. Shaun Livingston added 25 points and seven assists f

Cruz homers again as Rangers down Mariners >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nelson Cruz went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored to help Texas take a 6-2 decision over Seattle in the opener of a three-game set. Vladimir Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a

Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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Big East Conference odds

Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence

Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.

Work left to do:

Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.

Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.

DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...

West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.

Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.

For more March Madness odds go to MySportsbook.com

For more College Basketball betting lines go to BettingExpress.com

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