Southwest trio ready for war

Basketball Betting Lines

03/03/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Rockets, thanks to general manager Daryl Morey, should be rewarded with a playoff spot for just getting rid of Tracy McGrady's expiring and ungodly contract.

Unfortunately they're no such accommodations at this level with other teams posting up for a playoff berth in the competitive West. Not only is Houston a few games off the pace, but New Orleans and Memphis are still hooked up to a defibrillator in the conference standings. If the season ended today, the Rockets and Hornets would miss the playoffs by four games, while the Grizzlies would be 4 1/2 games behind No. 8 seed Portland.

The ding-dong battle between the three Southwest inhabitants will most likely be won by Houston because the Hornets need injured All-Star Chris Paul back and Memphis is still too young to take the next step. Yes, it was tough to part ways with Carl Landry, but Morey and the Rockets are deserving of a postseason spot for landing former Sacramento leading scorer Kevin Martin. Morey got his wing scorer to replace the oft-injured McGrady and the newcomer hasn't disappointed, averaging 23.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in six games (four starts) with his new employer.

Martin, Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola give the Rockets a solid trio of scorers for the stretch run, while reserve Trevor Ariza is averaging 15.4 points off the bench for Houston, which hasn't helped itself with seven losses over the past 10 games.

Memphis has made the playoffs just three times in its history, getting swept in four games in each series. It would be a boost for the NBA to see the young Grizz play past their 82-game schedule, but Lionel Hollins' club is still a few steps away from making a playoff splash. Hollins has watched his squad alternate wins and losses over the past nine games, which is more proof that the inconsistency will be an albatross.

The rest of March's schedule has a handful of layups in New Jersey, New York, Golden State and Sacramento, with the likes of Western powers New Orleans, San Antonio, Boston, Houston and Dallas on the docket as well. The storybook ending would have Zach Randolph leading the Grizzlies into the playoffs in his first year with the club. However, if George Orwell was behind the pen, readers would be introduced to his idea of social injustice. In many ways it's a crying shame that a young, talented roster such in Memphis can't seem to get over the hump in the talent-laden conference.

New Orleans would probably jump at the chance of trading March schedules with Memphis because it's one any head coach would defer playing. Future matchups with the Spurs, Grizzlies, Thunder, Nuggets, Suns, Jazz, Mavericks, Cavaliers and Lakers will knock the Hornets out of contention, while the cries of woe for Paul will not be heard for at least another couple of weeks. Rookie Darren Collison can't do it all despite averaging 18.6 points, 8.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23 games as a starter. Mix in David West's 18.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and New Orleans is still on the outside looking in.

In other news out West, many speculate which team has the audacity to push the Lakers in a seven-game playoff series. Is it Dallas, Denver, Utah or Phoenix? Who knows? Could upstart Oklahoma City make a run at the defending champs with the way Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have put the Thunder on the map?

Maybe.

Durant's thunderous scoring streak has Oklahoma City in the sixth spot, while Dallas eight-game winning streak has helped them to the second seed in the West, just six games behind LA and a half-game in front of Denver. MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki has been a major factor in that run, averaging 32.8 points in his last four games with three 30-point games and one double-double. Since acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood from Washington before the trade deadline last month, veteran point guard Jason Kidd has most likely felt like a 'kid' in a candy store. Just imagine what Oscar Robertson's already- amazing numbers would have looked like if he had the chance to sling the rock to Nowitzki, Butler, Shawn Marion or Jason Terry.

Kidd has it made is what other guards in the league may believe.

Oddsaker Basketball Betting News

<< Sabres' Gaustad sidelined with upper-body injury
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said on Wednesday that center Paul Gaustad will miss at least a week of action because of an upper-body injury. Gaustad was hurt in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Penguins d

<< Macclesfield's Alexander dies at 53
Macclesfield, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander has passed away at the age of 53. He died after returning to his home following his side's 1-0 League Two defeat at Notts County on Tuesday evening.

<< Greece moves into top 10 in FIFA Rankings
Zurich, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The latest edition of the FIFA/Coca- Cola Men's Rankings was released on Wednesday, and for the first time since June 2008, Greece has returned to the top 10. The top four teams remain unchanged

<< 2010 West Coast Conference Tournament Preview
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the 10th year in a row, the Gonzaga Bulldogs won the West Coast Conference regular-season title, as they finished 12-2 within the league. The Bulldogs are out to repeat in this tournament after winning th

<< Maple Leafs flip Skoula to Devils for draft pick
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defenseman Martin Skoula is on the move again, this time from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the New Jersey Devils. The Maple Leafs acquired Skoula, along with forward prospect Luca Caputi, from the Penguins late

Alexander set for Burnley return >>
Burnley, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Burnley midfielder Graham Alexander has declared himself fit after a five-week calf injury absence. The veteran Scotland international has been sidelined since late January but is hoping to make hi

Bruins pick up Seidenberg from Florida >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Bruins have acquired defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and a prospect from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Byron Bitz and Craig Weller, as well as a second-round pick in the 2010 NH

Bulls release G Hunter, sign Richard >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls released veteran guard Lindsey Hunter and signed forward Chris Richard to a contract for the rest of the season on Wednesday. The 39-year-old Hunter appeared in 13 games this season an

Mutuel Field early favorite in second Kentucky Derby Future Wager >>
Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second Kentucky Derby Future Wager of 2010 picks up where the first ended. The mutuel field is the 7-2 morning-line favorite among the 24 betting interests. The pool begins Friday at noon (et) and

Hurricanes trade defenseman Ward to Ducks >>
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hoping to force their way into the Western Conference playoff picture, the Anaheim Ducks have acquired defenseman Aaron Ward from the Carolina Hurricanes. In exchange for the 6-foot-2 defenseman, the

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. 

Mayweather picked to beat De La Hoya
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and his rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrived at the MGM Grand here Wednesday amid the pomp and pandemonium befitting two of the biggest stars in the sport who are about to duke it out for the WBC super welterweight crown this Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

As of Wednesday, MySportsbook.com closed its book with Mayweather a favorite to defeat De La Hoya at -170 (a $100 bet wins $70), while De La Hoya is a +140 underdog (a $100 bet wins $140).

Mayweather arrived at about 11:30 a.m. on a big truck with his face and a big "World's Best Pound-for-Pound" sign scribbled across the vehicle. He was accompanied by his entourage made up of rappers and his training team.

A crowd of close to 3,000 eager fans packed the MGM Grand lobby, with their cameras in tow, all trying to vie for position to get a good angle at Mayweather, who is acknowledged as the world's best fighter pound-for-pound.

Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions vice-president, described the fan turnout as "amazing" and swore he had never seen anything quite like this event.

"The crowd was fantastic. Everybody was just too eager to see the two fighters," said ALA manager Michael Aldeguer, who was among those who waited at the lobby together with his ward Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and AJ Banal.

De La Hoya made his own grand entrance at the hotel lobby at around 12:30 p.m. accompanied by GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and trainer Freddie Roach.

The same group of fans who trooped to see Mayweather also lingered around to get a close look at De La Hoya, who has been secretly working out at a Las Vegas gym for days after arriving from his main training camp in Puerto Rico.

The golden boy then took part in a closed-door afternoon workout with Bautista and Banal. The two, along with Aldeguer and wife Christine, as well as an HBO crew were the only ones allowed inside the gym.

De La Hoya and Mayweather take part in today's final press conference before the official weigh-in this Friday.

Ring Magazine, the acknowledged bible of boxing, reported in its June 2007 issue that 12 out of 20 boxing experts it interviewed have favored Mayweather to defeat De la Hoya, with only 8 favoring the latter.

But Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao said in a recent interview with The Freeman's Emmanuel Villaruel that De La Hoya will win by unanimous decision over Mayweather.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on boxing needs.