Sunday's NHL Spotlight Game

Sunday's NHL Spotlight Game

By Rich Carlson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Anaheim Ducks (28-6-6) at Minnesota Wild (19-17-2), 6 p.m. ET

Current odds: Anaheim +115, Minnesota +150, Draw +320

The Anaheim Ducks will travel to the Xcel Energy Center on Sunday evening to battle the Minnesota Wild. The Ducks are the top team in the NHL with a blistering 28-6-6 record and are comfortably in first place in the Pacific Division. The Wild are in first place in the Northwest Division with a 19-17-2 record.

Anaheim boasts the league’s second-ranked offense (3.45 goals per game), and it has 6 players who have scored 11 or more goals this season. RW Teemu Selanne leads the team with 21 goals, including a phenomenal 12 power-play goals, while C Ryan Getzlaf and LW Dustin Penner have each tallied 15 goals. G Jean-Sebastien Giguere is the early favorite for MVP of the league with his stellar 23-4 record, 2.17 goals against average and .924 save percentage. Giguere strained his groin in his last outing and is listed as day-to-day.

The Wild are virtually unbeatable at the Xcel Energy Center, where they have won 15 games this season. RW Brian Rolston leads the Wild with 19 goals, while RW Pavol Demitra and RW Mark Parrish are the only other double-digit goals scorers for the Wild (10 goals apiece). G Manny Fernandez (15-13, 2.81 goals against average, .906 save percentage) is in danger of losing his starting job to the up-and-coming Nicklas Backstrom (4-4, 2.12 goals against average, .929 save percentage).

Anaheim leads the season series 2-1 (Oct. 20: Anaheim 2-1, Oct. 27: Minnesota 3-2, Nov. 12: Anaheim 3-2)

Injury report
Anaheim: D Francois Beauchemin (spleen) is on injured reserve and will be out indefinitely; G Ilya Bryzgalov (groin) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game; G Giguere (groin) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game; C Todd Marchant (abdominal) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

Minnesota: RW Marian Gaborik (groin) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late December; D Petteri Nummelin (upper body) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game; C Jason Morgan (thigh) is on injured reserve and will be out indefinitely.

Key betting information
*-Anaheim is 7-3-0 in its last 10 games and has a 13-4-2 road record.
*-Minnesota is 4-6-0 in its last 10 games and has a 15-3-1 home record.
*-Anaheim’s No. 2-ranked offense (3.45 goals per game) vs. Minnesota’s No. 10-ranked defense (2.71 goals allowed average).
*-Minnesota’s No. 23-ranked offense (2.61 goals per game) vs. Anaheim’s No. 4-ranked defense (2.28 goals allowed average).
*-Anaheim’s No. 3-ranked power play (22.1% scored) vs. Minnesota’s No. 4-ranked penalty-killing unit (87.3% success).
*-Minnesota’s No. 10-ranked power play (18.2% scored) vs. Anaheim’s No. 6-ranked penalty-killing unit (85.6% success).

News & notes
New Jersey Devils G Martin Brodeur recorded his NHL-leading sixth shutout of the season and the 86th of his career in the Devils’ 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday night.

Bet on NHL hockey now at

Big East Basketball Notebook

Big East Basketball Notebook

By Randy Rosetta
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Villanova stays in Big Five play on Saturday night when it entertains Temple at the Pavillion.

The Wildcats won their second game in a row and improved to 2-0 against Big Five foes this season last Saturday when they leaned on a suffocating defensive performance to down LaSalle 64-51.

The Explorers couldn’t get their shooting touch warmed up and shot just 35.7 percent against ’Nova, including a season-low 26.7 percent (4-of-15) from 3-point territory.

That shutdown defense came in handy as the Wildcats missed all nine 3-point tries they took in the second half. Taking care of the ball also helped as Villanova committed only nine turnovers vs. LaSalle. After coughing the ball up 139 times in the first nine games, ’Nova has reduced its turnovers to 17 in the last two.

Senior Curtis Sumpter paced the Wildcats with 13 points against the Explorers, the third straight game he has led ’Nova in scoring and ninth time in 11 games. He’s averaging 19.5 points a game (second in the Big East), while fellow guard Mike Nardi is supplying 14.5 a game. Sumpter and Nardi have combined for 49 3-pointers in 115 attempts. The rest of the Villanova roster is 46-of-130.

Sumpter and Nardi are two of seven Wildcats shooting 82.4 percent or better from the foul stripe. Nardi ranks third in the league at 92 percent (23-of-25), with freshman Scottie Reynolds 10th (84.6 percent) and Sumpter 13th (81.7). Only two players have made or attempted more foul shots than Sumpter (58-of-71). Villanova is the Big East’s beat team from the line at 78.3 percent.

The ’Cats brings a nine-game Big Five winning streak into tonight, the longest in program history. Temple was the last Philly team to beat Villanova, 53-52 in 2004. The series with the Owls is deadlocked 39-39. Villanova is a 12.5-point favorite tonight on

Game: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears on Dec 31, 2006 8:15PM

Game: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears on Dec 31, 2006 8:15PM Prediction: Green Bay Packers Reason: I haven't written one positive word about the Green Bay Packers all season long. I haven't bet on the Packers once in the first sixteen weeks of the regular season. But this spot screams Green Bay as Brett Favre has somehow guided the Packers into playoff contention, needing a win here at Soldier Field to stay alive in the playoff race. The Packers have won their last two in particularly unimpressive fashion, barely scraping past the Lions and Vikings, two dead teams just playing out the string. Even against that quality of opposition, the Packers lost the turnover battle both times, needing late fourth quarter scores to secure the two victories. But, with extra time to prepare off their Thursday Night affair, there's little reason to think that we won't see the Packers game at Soldier Field on Sunday. Let's not forget that Green Bay has been a good road team all season, with a better record on the highway than they've had at Lambeau Field. Brett Favre has owned Soldier Field throughout his tenure in Green Bay. The Packers loss there last year was their first loss at Chicago in more than a decade. And the Bears have absolutely nothing to play for here, having already secured home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. A lethargic Bears squad just scraped past the Lions in Detroit this past Sunday. We can expect Lovie Smith to rest key players here, particularly in the second half, when the pointspread outcome is likely to be determined. Look for the Packers to keep their playoff hopes alive, with a solid shot at the road win in Chicago. Take the Packers.Ted Sevransky Guaranteed Picks
Report to moderator Logged

New Forum For Sports Bettors

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net/forum/index.php

Hi Sports bettors!

We would like to invite anyone involved in sports betting to join our new forum and place your comments for others to see.

It is only days old, so don't expect much. But in time and with some valuable members, it will be useful and interesting in time.

Please join here http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net/forum/index.php

Finding an Edge in Minor Sports

Pinnacle Pulse: Issue 64
The Inside Wagering Line from Pinnacle Sports Book by Simon Noble
Finding an Edge in Minor Sports
To the uninitiated the mechanics of the stock market can seem somewhat of a mystery. The rise and fall of share prices can be difficult to pre-empt as market reaction normally occurs a full week before good or bad news is released, yet once the information hits the headlines, it creates barely a ripple. For an average investor waiting to act until after good news is released is a quick route to the poor house. Many times, I’ve sat on my hands and watched a stock rise or fall during the day, and later thought "if only I bought it before the price shot up, or shorted before it tanked!"
While this can seem difficult to achieve without a crystal ball or privileged information, you can get a jump on sports or financial markets and turn that edge into profit. Instead of waiting for public reports (from SEC filings to midweek injury reports), you can often gain information just by closely monitoring price movements.
For a good recent stock illustration of this principle, look no further than the recent crash of Northfield Laboratories. The company was testing a human-blood substitute, with a critical progress report expected on December 19 after the close of markets. That afternoon the "line" on the stock dropped from over 14 to 11. Nearly 30% of its shares had been "sold short" – an investor’s way of betting the stock will crash. With those two signs, most people correctly assumed the report would be bad. The "betting pattern" on this stock revealed the failure long before the public announcement. The stock dropped over 50% the day after its failed test results were disclosed, rewarding those who understood the move and bet against Northfield.
To apply this theory to sports, consider this scenario: Payton Manning (listed as questionable) is sitting in the locker room on Sunday morning with worried head-coach, Tony Dungy. "How does your tweaked thumb feel?" Dungy asks. His star quarterback frowns, and replies, "Not good. I have no touch on the ball, so I’ll probably give it one more week to heal." The scene changes to you sitting at home in front of your computer, scratching your head and wondering why line on the Colts moved from -3 -104 to -3 +111 at Pinnacle Sportsbook?
A few of the other larger-limit sportsbooks have already reacted by moving their lines significantly, but not everyone. Regardless of whether you know Manning’s injury status, the line moves at the big books tell all you need to know. Mannings’ participation was questionable, the line is moving swiftly against Indy, so the market thinks the Colts are less likely to win QED – the negative prognosis on Manning’s injury is spreading to Sportsbooks. Anytime you see a 10+ cent move, you can get the best of it by "chasing the steam" – in this case, fading the Colts at slower-moving small sportsbooks. These books obviously hate it when players beat them to the punch, and may even throw you out, but not before nicely padding your bankroll.
In stocks and sports, information is money. While you can gain indirect information from watching price moves, nothing in sports betting is as profitable as gaining first-hand injury information. Without hiding in the locker room or knowing the personal trainers, you aren’t going to outguess NFL injury announcements. Set you sights a little lower and change the focus to smaller sports. Start reading University and regional newspapers covering smaller schools that have Div I-A and I-AA programs, covered by sportsbooks.
Many times, key player or coaching information - dynamite for smart players - goes unnoticed past kickoff. These smaller events do not attract syndicate action, leaving them ripe for more casual players. If it sounds like we’re repeating ourselves, it’s because the point is crucial for smaller players. If you bet $1000 or less per game, you will profit handsomely by focusing outside of professional sports. The lines for these events do not react quickly, if at all, to player injuries, weather or coaching announcements.
If you are a smaller player looking to move up, pick a single minor sport and hone in on it. Try Ivy League football, Albanian Soccer, Greek basketball, or any event that is not covered on the front page of ESPN or USA Today’s sports section that has valuable information available with a bit of digging. For two weeks, try to spend 15 minutes a day researching that one area. With this little time spent, you’ll likely find some nice opportunities. If you try this, we at Pinnacle Sports Betting would like to know how it goes. Send your findings to: askthebook@pinnaclesports.com.
Arizona +13.5 -107 v. San Diego
The Chargers already have a first-round bye in the playoffs, and are looking to clinch the #1 seed in the AFC. They can do that with a win or a Baltimore loss against Buffalo. The difference between the #1 and #2 seed only matters if both of those seeds win their first playoff game. This is nowhere near as critical as the dropdown to #3, where a team no longer receives a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Despite this being our most heavily traded game of the week, the opener of +13.5 (-104) has barely moved. The public has favors the Cardinals slightly by a 3-to-2 ratio, while our early sharp players don’t have a consensus on this game. End of the year games are often difficult to handicap because it’s difficult to know how motivated a team will be if it is already eliminated from the post season. Additionally, coaches have to balance starter playing time and minimizing injuries before the playoff run. The market line of +13.5 suggests that the Chargers will bring their "A" game and try to extend their nine game win streak.
Jacksonville +1 +117 versus Kansas City
The winner of this match-up has the possibility of advancing to the playoffs. Both teams are eliminated by losing this game, or if either Cincinnati or Tennessee wins. The Jaguars also need the New York Jests to lose, while Kansas City needs Denver to lose. If Jacksonville wins this early game, Denver secures a Wild Card before its late match-up against San Francisco. One way to exploit this is to parlay Jacksonville on the moneyline with San Francisco (who will be playing an unmotivated and resting Broncos team if the Jags win).
We opened Jacksonville at +3 (-113) and had somewhat more volume on the Jags, pushing the game off the "3". Rather than trading this game in the "teaser zone" of +1.5 to +2.5, we moved to +1 (+117).
Michigan +1 -102 v. USC
Although the Wolverines were nearly playing for the National Championship, they now find themselves playing the underdog role in the Rose Bowl. Michigan opened as a 2-point favorite and betting to this point favors them by a 5-to-2 margin. Many of the larger players favor USC, forcing the line to continue downward.
Boise St. +7 -103 v. Oklahoma
This is the week’s "sharps versus public" match-up. We opened the Broncos as 8-point dogs. While there are twice as many players backing Oklahoma, some of the sharps have played Boise St. with most taking +8 and +7.5.
At 12-0, Boise State’s Bowl appearance was limited by its easy schedule (ranked #100 for strength of schedule). Its two most significant wins were against Hawaii (41-34) and Oregon State (42-14). The public is quick to back a traditional powerhouse against a WAC team regardless of the line. Anytime there are such knee-jerk reactions, sharp play will keep the line honest.
Pinnacle Sports Book & Online Betting
Pinnacle Sportsbook is an online betting company providing the best odds on sportsbook gambling, online horseracing and online casino gaming.
With excellent 24/7 customer service, fast payouts, and secure Internet betting, Pinnacle Sports Book satisfies all your sports book betting requirements and game wagering needs.
The Pinnacle Sports Book also offers reduced juice betting so sign-up now with Pinnacle Sportsbook Betting and get wagering today!

Pac-10 Basketball Notebook

Pac-10 Basketball Notebook

By Randy Rosetta
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Everybody has UCLA, Washington and Arizona pegged as the teams to beat in the Pac-10 this season, with Washington State holding onto to the spot as the league’s most surprising team so far in 2006-07.

But Southern Cal would like to claim its place among the Pac-10 elite in the early going, and the Trojans get the perfect chance to do so when league play tips off today.

USC will host No. 14 Washington on Thursday night in Los Angeles and then square off with Washington State Saturday.

Troy enters Pac-10 action with a 10-3 record after knocking off sixth-ranked Wichita State on Saturday in Las Vegas, USC’s fifth win in six games since a close-call 10-point loss at Kansas on Dec. 4. The Trojans limited the Shockers to 38 percent shooting from the floor, the 12th foe in 13 games who has failed to shoot 40 percent.

Southern Cal’s defense has been a major key this season. The Trojans lead the nation in field-goal defense at 33.4 percent and are limiting foes to 26.1 percent accuracy (73-of-280) from 3-point territory.

USC junior guard Nick Young notched a season-high 26 points vs. Wichita State, his 10th straight game in double digits.

The Trojans have rattled off eight straight home wins, but have lost their last three Pac-10 openers. Washington (11-1) swept USC a year ago and owns five wins in a row over Troy to draw even in the all-time series, 62-62.

Rebounding will be a focal point tonight. With scrappy 6-foot-7 sophomore Jon Brockman (10.1 rebounds a game) and 7-footer Spencer Hawes (5.9) leading the way, Washington is dominating the glass this year, beating opponents by an average of 43.8-30.3.

The Huskies lead the Pac-10 in scoring (88 points a game) and will probably be favored on WagerWeb.com, but look for Southern Cal to take UW down to the wire.

WASHINGTON STATE: The Cougars are on a roll entering Pac-10 play, with four wins in a row against 18th-ranked Gonzaga, Idaho, Cal State Northridge and San Diego State. WSU encounters its nemesis in the league opener, top-ranked UCLA. The Bruins owns an 89-13 series lead against the Cougars, although four of the last UCLA victories have been by three points or less. Washington State is 0-16 when playing the Bruins when they are No. 1. Guards Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver lead the way for the Cougars. Weaver recorded his first career double-double against San Diego State with a season-best 16 points (all in the second half) and 11 rebounds. Low is WSU’s leading scorer with 15.5 points a game and ranks ninth in the league in 3-point shooting (27-of-61, 44.3 percent). The Cougar defense has been salty this season, allowing a league-low 57.7 points a game.

OREGON STATE: The Beavers can spoil Oregon’s best start in 60 years when the rivals lift the crank up the Pac-10 season Saturday in Corvallis. OSU follows that with two more home games, against No. 1 UCLA and up-and-coming Southern Cal next week. Freshman forward Roland Schaftenaar was perfect from the floor last week, hitting all three shots against Howard and then going 6-for-6 vs. Mercer. The Beavers have one player each in the Pac-10¢s top 12 in scoring (Marcel Jones, 9th with 15.8 points a game), rebounding (Kyle Jeffers, 12th with 6.6 per game) and assists (Josh Tarver, 10th with 3.5 per game).

STANFORD: The Cardinal logged a 69-67 victory against Fresno State on Dec. 19, with twin freshmen Brook and Robin Lopez returning to their hometown and scoring 10 points apiece. Sophomore guard Mitch Johnson was also big against the Bulldogs with a career-high 10 assists. Stanford opens Pac-10 play with the Arizona swing, starting off in Tempe on Thursday. In seven victories this season, sophomore forward Lawrence Hill is averaging 17 points and shooting 61.5 percent (48 of 72) from the floor. Stanford ranks second in the Pac-10 in field-goal defense (40.8 percent) and third in blocked shots (4.3 per game).

ARIZONA STATE: In their last game, the Sun Devils limited Colgate to 36 points, the fewest by an ASU opponent since 1949. The Devils may need similar defensive efforts as they get into Pac-10 play. They rank last in the league in scoring offense with 65.3 points a game and are also hovering near the bottom of the league stats in free-throw shooting (10th), field-goal defense (10th) and field-goal shooting (9th). On the bright side, big men Jeff Pendergraph and Serge Angounou have provided a nice tandem for Arizona State. Over the last seven games, Angounou is producing 13.6 points and 9.6 rebounds a game, while Pendergraph is hanging up 11.2 points and 10.8 boards in his last five outings, buoyed by a career-best 19 rebounds against Colgate.

Bad Turn For Hornets

Bad Turn For Hornets

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

As if the New Orleans Hornets didn’t have enough problems.

The most battered team in the league lost its premier player Tuesday night when point guard Chris Paul suffered a sprained right ankle.

The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year turned the ankle on a fast-break late in the first quarter of a 102-94 loss in Seattle. The severity of the injury has yet to be determined, but Paul will certainly miss his next two games and probably more.

That’s not exactly thrilling news for a team already missing key players Peja Stojakovic (back surgery), Bobby Jackson (cracked rib) and David West (right elbow). All three will remain out for at least a month, with Stojakovic not scheduled to return until March.

Paul is leading the team at 18.9 points and nine assists a game. Injuries have played a huge role in the Hornets losing eight of their last 10.

The Hornets will be without Paul on Wednesday night in Portland. They have been listed as 7.5-point underdogs by No comments:

Wednesday's NHL Spotlight Game

Wednesday's NHL Spotlight Game

By Rich Carlson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Game of the Day: Dallas Stars (23-14-0) at Colorado Avalanche (18-15-2), 9 p.m. ET

Current WagerWeb.com Odds: Spread Money Line Total Goals
Dallas +1 1/2 -240 +120 Over 5 1/2 +110
Colorado -1 1/2 +200 -140 Under 5 1/2 -130

The Dallas Stars will travel to the Pepsi Center in Denver on Wednesday evening to face the Colorado Avalanche. The Stars have solid 23-14-0 record but are in third place in the Pacific Division behind the red-hot Anaheim Ducks. The Avalanche have posted a 18-15-2 record and are in first place in the Northwest Division, where the first-place team and last-place team are only separated by a point.

The Stars possess the league’s third-ranked defensive unit (2.22 goals allowed per game), which is anchored by G Marty Turco. Turco ranks among the league leaders with 18 victories (3rd in NHL), a 2.12 goals against average (3rd in NHL) and four shutouts (3rd in NHL). With an offense that only averages 2.54 goals per game, the Stars want to jump out early on their opponents and let their defense carry them home. This season the Stars are 15-4 when scoring first, 13-1 when leading after one period and 16-2 when leading after two periods.

Led by C Joe Sakic (15 goals, 24 assists) and LW Andrew Brunette (11 goals, 19 assists) the Avalanche have won four straight home games and are 6-2 in their last 8 games. The Avalanche have utilized a goaltending tandem of Jose Theodore (9-9, 2.96 goals against average, .903 save percentage) and Peter Budaj (9-6, 2.53 goals against average, .908 save percentage). If the Avalanche are to make a run into the playoffs, they need to settle on a No. 1 goaltender and give him the majority of the playing time.

Dallas and Colorado have played twice this season (Oct. 4: Dallas 3-2, Nov. 20: Dallas 5-4).

Injury report
Dallas: C Mike Modano (hip flexor) is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game; LW Steve Ott (ankle) is on injured reserve and will be out until late December.

Colorado: C Steve Moore (concussion) is on injured reserve and will be out indefinitely; D Jordan Leopold (groin) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late January; RW Marek Svatos (groin) will be out until at least late December; LW Brad May (shoulder) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late January.

Key betting information
*- Dallas is 5-5-0 in its last 10 games and has an 11-9-0 road record
*-Colorado is 6-4-0 in its last 10 games and has a 10-7-1 home record
*-Dallas’ No. 23-ranked offense (2.54 goals per game) vs. Colorado’s No. 14-ranked defense (2.83 goals allowed average)
*-Colorado’s No. 5-ranked offense (3.20 goals per game) vs. Dallas’ No. 3-ranked defense (2.22 goals allowed average)
*-Dallas’ No. 23-ranked power play (15.5% scored) vs. Colorado’s No. 17-ranked penalty-killing unit (82.3% success)
*-Colorado’s No. 8-ranked power play (18.6% scored) vs. Dallas’ No. 7-ranked penalty-killing unit (86.2% success)

News & notes
New York Islanders G Rick DiPietro recorded his third straight home shutout in the Islanders' 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

Bet on NHL hockey now at

Holiday Awards

Holiday Awards

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

The holiday season is over and so is one-third of the NBA season. Most in the media hand out midseason awards, but what the heck? Early returns are in.

Here are a few honors earned as 2007 approaches:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Cleveland forward LeBron James deserved it last season, but Phoenix point guard Steve Nash won it for the second year in a row. Nash, however, has indeed been the NBA Most Valuable Player so far.

The Suns catalyst is blowing away the field at 11.6 assists a game and is among the leaders in 3-point shooting (49 percent) and free-throw percentage (89 percent). He is also averaging 20.3 points a game and hitting 52 percent from the field, both exceptional for a point guard.

Runner up: Tim Duncan, San Antonio

COACH OF THE YEAR: No contest. Utah's Jerry Sloan has raised his team to the level of the NBA elite, which is another term for the best of the Western Conference.

The Jazz feature no superstars, though resurgent Carlos Boozer has established himself as one of the league's premier players. Sloan has his team playing efficient team basketball offensively and defensively with far inferior talent to that of Phoenix, Dallas and San Antonio.

Runner-up: Nate McMillan, Portland

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Adam Morrison is the top rookie scorer, but not the top rookie performer. That distinction belongs to Toronto forward Jorge Garbajosa, who has proven the most consistent. He is averaging 9.1 points and 5.7 rebounds a game and has improved in both those departments as the season has progressed.

Garbajosa is also contributing more to his team. The Raptors rest atop the Atlantic Division despite playing 18 of their first 28 games on the road. He and top all-around pick Andrea Bargnani have played integral roles in their recent surge.

Runner-up: Morrison

Live Soccer Scores

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net/soccer-livescores.php

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com

Todays NFL Stats

http://football.nfl-sports-betting.net/nfl_football.php?date=2006-12-25&hid=126&aid=127
http://football.nfl-sports-betting.net/nfl_football.php?date=2006-12-26&hid=121&aid=107
http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net

Todays NFL Stats

Todays NFL Stats

http://football.nfl-sports-betting.net/nfl_football.php?date=2006-12-25&hid=126&aid=127

http://football.nfl-sports-betting.net/nfl_football.php?date=2006-12-26&hid=121&aid=107

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net

Football, Basketball, Soccer

Football, Basketball, Soccer

Link

Link

Top Sportsbooks

NFL SPORTS BETTING | ONLINE FOOTBALL BETTIING | SPORTS BETTING | FREE NFL BETTING | NFL PICKS | TOP SPORTS BOOKS
NFL Sports Betting
HOME | TOP SPORTSBOOKS | FREE BETS | BETTING TIPS | TOP CAPPERS | SPORTS STATS | LIVE ODDS | LINKS



Up to $180 of free cash bonuses at BetUSA.com
NFL SPORTS BETTING

* » NFL Matchups & Odds
* » NFL Scoreboard
* » NFL Odds
* » NFL Ratings
* » NFL Standings
* » NFL Schedule
* » NFL Picks & Previews
* » NFL Odds Comparison

Sportsbook Online Poker Casino Gambling

* » Sports Betting Tips
* » Sports Wagers
* » NFL Betting Odds
* » Online Football Betting
* » Sports Wagering Odds
* » Pro Football Betting
* » Online NFL betting
* » NFL Parlay Odds
* » Online Sports Betting
* » NFL Point Spread
* » NFL Football Betting Line
* » NFL Betting Pick

ONLINE BETTING

* » Matchups & Odds
* » Sportsbooks Reviews
* » Free bets & Bonuses
* » Sports betting stats
* » Wager Guides
* » Betting glossary
* » Live lines & odds

SPORTSBOOK REVIEWS

* » Pinnacle Sports
* » Bodog

LIVE OFFSHORE LINES

* » BetRoyal Lines & Odds
* » Nine Lines & Odds
* » VIP Lines & Odds

NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING

* » NCAA Betting
* » College Football Line
* » NCAA Football Betting
* » NCAA Football Line
* » Online College Football Betting

BASKETBALL BETTING

* » NBA betting tips
* » Online NBA Betting
* » Online Basketball Betting
* » NCAA March Madness Betting

NFL HOCKEY BETTING

* » NHL betting tips

BASEBALL BETTING

* » MLB betting tips
* » Online MLB Betting
* » Online Baseball Betting


* Vaslegas.com
* KLSBetting.com
* Football Directory


Top Sports Books - Best Sporsbooks - Racing Books - Poker - Casino

Nine.com - Sportsbook
For players looking for the ultimate gaming experience Nine.com can’t be beat! Featuring Poker, a full service Sportsbook, Horse Racing, Online Casino and Skill-gaming it’s your gaming one stop shop!

Nine.com is a new brand and parent company of a large conglomerate of online gaming companies, including BetCom.com and MyBookie.com. While other groups have a much larger variety of acquired brands, most of the companies in the Nine.com Group are built from scratch, which speaks volumes of the marketing and bookmaking abilities of the management team behind this company.

Nine.com is the perfect fit for the small or recreational player in search of great service, fun betting odds and a superb package of bonuses and perks.

20% FREE CASH WHEN YOU JOIN NINE.COM

Mybookie.com - Sportsbook
As featured on CNN, USA Today, NBC's Today Show and ABC News.

My Bookie caters to the more aggressive Sports Gambler with our streetwise approach to Gambling Over the Internet. Once again in the world of online betting MyBookie.com reigns supreme. Since it's inception in 1997 this company has continued to satisfy the most discriminating sports bettors worldwide. People everywhere are talking about MyBookie.

With a new look and a new name for 2004 MyBookie.com continues it's explosive growth by once again expanding its facilities to handle literally, thousands of online and call center wagers simultaneously. Technology is our strong suit.

Betcom.com - Sportsbook
Betcom caters to the Internet savvy sports gambler.

Featured on numerous TV shows and national publications as "the world's friendliest" online gaming site, Betcom is simply the easiest to use betting site on the net.

Betcom delivers by having the most qualified and well-informed staff of any of the major sports books in the world today. They do this by sparing no expense when it comes to using cutting edge technology and the latest equipment. They have one of the best employee training and benefits programs we have seen; this is a company that cares about people.

VIPsports.com - Sportsbook
Named TOP SPORTSBOOK by readers of Gambling online Magazine, VIP is committed to offering unique betting opportunities to all members, and offers new players a cash bonus up to 40% when they begin playing. Members may also take advantage of the company’s online casino, where games such as blackjack and craps and many multi line slots can be played anytime.

Customer service is at the heart of what VIP makes stand out from the crowd. Guaranteed email response times, 24/7 live support and independent audit all lend credibility to the successful operation based in Curacao.

BetGameDay.com - Sportsbook
The proud winner of 7 awards in the Casino Player Magazine readers poll 2001 and having been voted Quickest Payouts Sportsbook by Gambling Online Magazine readers in 2002, BetGameDay enjoys a very strong reputation for integrity. Bet Sports, Horses or Casino games with the same account. Offering one of the largest daily betting selections online, along with their endless selection of proposition bets and specialty events, BetGameDay Sportsbook is the place to play. For horse players, more than 80 thoroughbred and harness tracks are available for real-time betting every day.

All new players get a up to 40% bonus with their first deposit.

FiveCardCharlie.com - Sportsbook
Five Card Charlie is one of those “all-in� sports book and casinos that everybody just likes and also serves as a perfect introduction to anyone new to eGaming! Online sports betting, casino, horse betting and of course Poker, you can have it all and one account at FiveCardCharlie is all it takes!

Easy access to sports betting and a great download casino that never freezes;
The friendliest support and 24-hour payouts;
The coolest promotions and best contests…
These will make your betting experience sublime and automatically tell your friends about it AND get a $75 referral bonus while you're at it!

Sign up today and take advantage of the great 40% sign up bonus, which includes a 20% cash bonus and two FREE wagers at a 10% value of your first deposit.
Win a trip to Las Vegas or Cancun, sports collectibles, a plasma TV or just straight up cash prizes by accumulating rewards points with every bet, casino play or card laid in poker room through the highest rated loyalty program in the industry.

Customer Service is available 24/7 through telephone, email and live chat and professional support will be ready to assist you with all your inquiries. With over a dozen of cashier options, transferring funds can be done fast, safe and easy!

Weekly promotions, contests and several casino progressive jackpots will make Five Card Charlie your first choice that will pleasantly last forever.

So join Five Card Charlie today, the only book with a face just waiting to put a smile on yours!!

© 2006 NFL-Sports-Betting.net

StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter

Football, Basketball, Soccer: Dragging Cavs

Football, Basketball, Soccer: Dragging Cavs

Football, Basketball, Soccer: Dragging Cavs

Football, Basketball, Soccer: Dragging Cavs

New Forum For Sports Bettors

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net/forum/index.php

Dragging Cavs

Dragging Cavs

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

There should be a sense of urgency in http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com

Chiefs Struggling

Chiefs Struggling

By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer


The Kansas City Chiefs have the national stage, an easy opponent and every chance to snap their three-game losing streak. But at 7-7, they'll clearly need more than a win over Oakland (2-12) to improve their AFC playoff chances. They, of course, need to win out and get a lot of help.

It starts, one or way or the other though, against the miserable Raiders on Saturday night. The Chiefs are -6.5 on http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=
http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net

Balanced Mavericks

Balanced Mavericks

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

A glance at the team and individual statistics compiled by the Dallas Mavericks this season would hardly raise an eyebrow.

Yeah, they're performing well defensively, but that has been status quo since Avery Johnson took over as coach.

They're second in the NBA in free-throw percentage.

Yawn.

Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 23.4 points and 9.5 rebounds a game.

Real surprise there, huh?

So why are the Mavericks 19-7? How have they won 19 of their last 22 games?

Simple. They know how to win. They're no longer a team that hopes to outgun opponents in shootouts, so they are playing lower-scoring games and emerging with victories in nearly all of them.

They stumbled to an 0-4 start without Josh Howard and have remained on fire since. Howard is averaging 18.3 points and nearly six rebounds a game.

But perhaps the critical move by Johnson was the insertion of Erick Dampier into the starting lineup. He is averaging close to a double-double since replacing DeSagana Diop in the middle and leading the league in shooting from the field at 67 percent.

The Mavericks hope to win their sixth consecutive game Friday night at home against the Los Angeles Clippers. WagerWeb.com lists them as a 9.5-point favorites despite the uncertain status of Nowitzki, who is questionable with an ankle injury.

NOWHERE TO GO: Only the weather can cool off the sizzling Suns.

Phoenix can't win its 16th in a row if it can't get out of the Denver airport.

The Suns' clash against the Nuggets on Wednesday was canceled due to the blizzard, but they are scheduled to return home Friday night against Washington. That is, if their plane ever takes off.

The airport is expected to open, which means the Suns should arrive back in Phoenix in time to host the Wizards.

And speaking of the Wizards, they finally climbed over .500 with a 126-119 victory in Sacramento Thursday night. The usual talented trio of Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas wreaked havoc on the Kings, combining for 86 points. Brendan Haywood, who returned to the starting center spot after Etan Thomas sprained his ankle, added 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Washington is an 11-point underdog in Phoenix, according to WagerWeb.com.

DRIBBLES: Boston high-scoring forward Paul Pierce will miss at least a week with a foot injury, which could give Philadelphia a shot at breaking its 12-game winning streak Friday night against the host Celtics. WagerWeb.com lists Boston as a 2.5-point favorite. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, newly acquired point guard Andre Miller was unable to fly out of Denver at noon Friday, when the airport reopened. ... Forward Ron Artest missed his team's loss to the Wizards with sore knees. He is questionable for Friday night's game in Denver in which Allen Iverson is expected to make his debut for the Nuggets. Denver is a 4 1/2-point favorite, according to WagerWeb.com. ... After missing nine games with a bone bruise on his right ankle, Seattle guard Ray Allen might return in time for Saturday night's game against Toronto. The word on backcourt mate Rashard Lewis, who received an MRI on a tendon in his right hand, will come down today.

http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net

New Orleans Bowl Preview

New Orleans Bowl Preview

Who: Rice (7-5) vs. Troy (7-5)
Where: New Orleans
When: 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
WagerWeb.com line: Rice -4.5

Matchup: Which bad defense will rise to the occasion? Troy ranks 70th in the nation against the pass, and Rice ranks 113th in total defense, giving up 417.7 yards per game.

Why Rice Wins: Being in their first bowl game since 1961, the Owls will be pumped. Rice will exploit Troy’s bad pass defense with WR Jarett Dillard, who caught 82 balls for 1,176 yards and 20 TDs this season. The Owls have a pretty good combination on the ground with mobile quarterback Chase Clement and speedy back Quinton Smith. Also, Rice has also been red hot lately. The Owls have been underdogs in each of the last six games, and they have won them all SU.

Why Troy State Wins: Troy will be able to establish a run game and control the clock, something it hasn't done too much this season. Troy ended the season with a 26-13 victory over Florida International, in which it racked up 245 yards rushing. Troy played a tight game against Florida State, losing 24-17, while Rice was beaten 55-7 by the Seminoles. The Trojan defense is tough against the run, so the key to the game will be stopping the Clement-to-Dillard combination.

Prediction: Rice, 28-17

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com

DENVER NUGGETS NOW 18/1 TO WIN NBA TITLE AFTER IVERSON TRADE

http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kyle Fratini212-979-6010kyle@kfratini.com
DENVER NUGGETS NOW 18/1 TO WIN NBA TITLE AFTER IVERSON TRADE'The Answer' Makes Denver A Contender According To PinnacleSports.com
WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO (December 20, 2006)'The Denver Nuggets pulled off a blockbuster yesterday by acquiring four-time NBA scoring leader and 2001 MVP, Allen Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers. After finalizing the deal, the odds on the Denver Nuggets winning the NBA Championship shifted dramatically. Leading online sportsbook PinnacleSports.com had the Nuggets listed at 50/1 to capture the NBA title before the deal, but after adding Iverson, the odds on Denver becoming world champs dropped to 18/1.
The largest sports betting site on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com listed the Nuggets in the middle of the pack odds-wise to win the NBA Championship prior to the trade because of the highly competitive Western Conference and lack of a solid second scoring option to go with Carmelo Anthony. Now boasting the league's two leading scorers on their roster, the Nuggets have become a formidable team in the West and PinnacleSports.com now lists Denver at 18/1 to win the title. The San Antonio Spurs remain favorites to emerge as NBA champs at 9/2, followed closely by the Phoenix Suns at 5/1 and Dallas Mavericks at 11/2.
'By adding Iverson, Denver may have found 'The Answer' to their scoring woes during Carmelo Anthony's suspension, as well as a key to advance through the Western Conference playoffs,' said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. 'Whenever a player of Iverson's caliber is traded to a contender, the odds accurately reflect the impact on the team's chances to win a championship. In this case, Denver closed the gap on the top teams in the West and went from being a lower seed with a scarce shot at the title to a potential division and conference champion.'
Current Odds: All Odds Subject To Change
Odds To Win 2007 NBA Championship (Favorites)San Antonio Spurs 9/2Phoenix Suns 5/1Dallas Mavericks 11/2Cleveland Cavaliers 11/1Miami Heat 12/1Detroit Pistons 14/1Houston Rockets 17/1Utah Jazz 17/1Los Angeles Lakers 17/1Denver Nuggets 18/1Chicago Bulls 20/1New Jersey Nets 25/1
For a complete list of odds, please visit www.pinnaclesports.com.
About PinnacleSports.comPinnacleSports.com (www.pinnaclesports.com) is the Internet's largest sports betting site serving customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. Founded in 1998, PinnacleSports.com was the first sports book to introduce reduced margin wagering, using a -105 pricing model that gives bettors up to 50% better value on wagers than traditional bookmakers. With low minimum bet requirements and the highest maximum limits on the Web, PinnacleSports.com has earned an industry leading reputation for providing consistent value to the player, professional customer service and the quickest payouts online. Fully licensed and regulated in Curacao, the company offers a secure environment for sports betting, racing and casino gaming.

Las Vegas Bowl Preview

http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net

Las Vegas Bowl Preview

By Jeff Zell
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Who: No. 19 BYU (10-2) vs. Oregon (7-5)
Where: Las Vegas
When: Thursday, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
WagerWeb.com line: BYU -3

Matchup: With BYU ranked No. 5 in total offense and Oregon ranked as No. 8 in the same category, which defense will step to the occasion? Or better yet, who will get the ball last? In the past 12 years, neither team has had unprecedented success at bowls. Oregon is 4-7 SU in bowls, while BYU is 2-6. Another interesting subplot is Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton facing the team he once led as head coach and against BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall, who was Crowton's defensive coordinator.

Why BYU Wins: After their 1-2 start, the Cougars are red hot, winning nine in a row. Senior QB John Beck is the key to victory. Beck’s 3,510 yards and 30 TDs rank him No. 2 in passer efficiency in the country, behind only Hawaii's Colt Brennan. The defense has to find a way to stop the Ducks' running attack of Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson, who are averaging nearly 190 yards a game combined. Against the No. 3 rushing team in the country, Air Force, BYU held the Falcons to 30 yards below their average in a 33-14 victory.

Why Oregon Wins: The three-game slide at the end of the season was the result of “the snowball effect.� Coach Mike Bellotti will have his team back on track. Belloti is not naming a starting QB, Dennis Dixon or Brady Leaf, and will make the Cougars prepare for both (although Leaf is expected to start). Stewart and Johnson are a pair of workhorse RBs who won’t be stopped by a Mountain West Conference defense. The BYU pass attack will be countered with the No. 10 pass defense in the nation, which has been tested throughout the season by aerial attacks from USC, Cal and Arizona State.

Prediction: BYU 31-27

The Answer Is: Denver

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com

The Answer Is: Denver

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

The Denver Nuggets have “The Answer� but not to these two questions:

Are they now strong enough to contend in the powerful Western Conference? Did they mortgage their future for a current team that still lacks the talent to win a title?

They swapped one of the steadiest and most talented point guards in the league (Andre Miller) for arguably the NBA's premier backcourt player in Allen Iverson. They also surrendered both first-round picks in 2007 and veteran forward Joe Smith.

More questions: Though the Nuggets now boast the NBA’s two leading scorers in Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, have they reached the upper echelon along with San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas? And when will their window of opportunity close? After all, Iverson is an 11-year veteran who will likely not perform at peak level for many more seasons.

Another factor in Denver’s future success lies in the ability of Iverson and Anthony to mesh on the court. Basketball is a team game in which chemistry is more important than individual talent.

Nuggets coach George Karl understands that. But he believes the addition of Iverson will promote team chemistry rather than destroy it.

“One thing I hear on a consistent basis, his teammates love him,� Karl said. “I think we need better chemistry on my basketball team. I think we need more leadership. I think we need more emotional maturity, I think we need some mental toughness, some intensity, an every game, every possession mentality. I think everything I said there, Allen Iverson has.�

Denver could certainly use Iverson on Wednesday night against visiting Phoenix, which will be seeking its franchise-record 16th consecutive victory. WagerWeb.com lists the Suns as a 8.5-point favorites against the Nuggets, who will also play without the suspended Anthony and J.R. Smith.

The Sixers, meanwhile, will attempt to break an 11-game losing streak, at home against Indiana. They are 5.5-point underdogs, according to WagerWeb.com.

BLAZIN’ BLAZERS: It appeared the Portland Trail Blazers were about to be hit with some bad news just as they were reaching respectability.

But a mild sprain in forward Zach Randolph’s right foot healed quickly, and he is expected to play Wednesday night against visiting Houston. Randolph leads the team at 25.4 points and 10.1 rebounds a game.

In addition, the Blazers should benefit from the return of rookie off-guard Brandon Roy, who had missed 20 games with a left heel injury. He averaged 11.7 points a game before being sidelined.

The Blazers are 5-point underdogs to the Rockets, according to WagerWeb.com.

DRIBBLES: A strained groin will sideline Charlotte point guard Brevin Knight at New York on Wednesday night. WagerWeb.com lists the Knicks as 4-point favorites. … Cleveland is the second-leading rebounding team in the NBA, but none of its players are among the Top 20 individually. WagerWeb.com lists the Cavaliers as 1-point underdogs in New Jersey on Wednesday night. The Cavs are tied for the best home record in the league at 11-2, but are just 3-7 on the road. … Phoenix starters outscored their Toronto counterparts, 80-39, Tuesday night. All five Suns starters tallied in double figures. T.J. Ford (19 points) was the lone Raptor to do the same. Still, Toronto has won three of four without star forward Chris Bosh. WagerWeb.com lists the Raptors as 8-point underdogs against the host Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

Pac-10 Basketball Notebook

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com

Pac-10 Basketball Notebook

By Randy Rosetta
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Washington takes a second crack at landing a major non-conference victory when the 17th-ranked Huskies entertain No. 12 LSU on Wednesday night in Seattle.

UW’s only other game against a ranked foe this season didn’t turn out well: A 97-77 loss at Gonzaga on Dec. 9.

But this time the Huskies are at home at Bank of America Arena, where they have won 14 games in a row overall and 25 straight in non-conference play.

This game looks to be a contrast in several different ways. UW will look to push the ball behind guards Adrian Oliver and Justin Dentmon and forward Qunicy Pondexter. LSU’s forte is built around a powerful inside game anchored by junior Glen Davis, who ranks second in the SEC in scoring (20.1 points per game) and rebounds (10.3 per game).

Washington comes in averaging a Pac-10 best 88.9 points a game, led by Pondexter (16 per game) and freshman center Spencer Hawes (13.8). The Huskies also top the conference in assists (18.3) per game and blocked shots (4.8 per game).

Hawes has started to blossom offensively, averaging 19 points over the last three games. The 7-foot Seattle native is shooting 64.9 percent from the floor (24 of 37) in that span and hasn’t allowed his defense to dip. He leads the Pac-10 with 24 blocks.

LSU’s defense could pose problems for Washington. The Tigers are surrendering only 57.6 points a game and are limiting foes to 35.9 percent shooting from the field.

UW is a 1-point favorite on WagerWeb.com, and this game should come down to the wire.

ARIZONA: The No. 9-ranked Wildcats square off with 18th-ranked Memphis tonight in the Fiesta Bowl Classic in Tucson in Arizona’s biggest test to date this season (Arizona is -7.5 on WagerWeb.com). This is the latest UA has faced a ranked foe for the first time in a season since 1992-93. The ¢Cats are 41-1 all-time in the Fiesta Bowl event, but the Tigers are a major threat to stick Arizona with a second loss. The Wildcats come in hot after roasting Houston 87-62 on Sunday. All five UA starters scored in double digits in that game, with Ivan Radenovic and Marcus Williams each notching 16 points and a double-double. The ‘Cats shot 54.1 percent from the floor (33 of 61) vs. Houston, anchored by 19 makes on either slam dunks or layups. Arizona is the Pac-10¢s best shooting team (50.7 percent) and ranks second in the league with 86.7 points a game.

OREGON: The Ducks can match their best start (11-0) since 1946-47 by beating Mercer in Eugene on Saturday. Oregon junior guard Bryce Taylor has asserted himself lately with 58 points and 21 rebounds in three games last week, which earned him Pac-10 Player of the Week honors. Taylor connected on 19-of-28 field goals (67.9 percent), 9-of-14 from 3-point range (64.3 percent) and 12-of-15 from the foul stripe (80 percent). He has scored in double figures in every game this season, and his recent surge upped his production to 17 points a game, second on the team to Tajuan Porter, who leads the league with 18.2 points a game. Porter is also the Pac-10¢s most prolific 3-point marksman with 36 makes and tops the league in foul shooting at 92.9 percent (26-of-28).

UCLA: The Bruins bounced back from a close call against Texas A&M to notch their seventh victory by 13 points or more this season when they sacked Oakland 74-53 on Saturday. Sophomore point guard Darren Collison has booked 15 points in each of the last three games, shooting 60.9 percent (14 of 23) from the floor in the process. He leads the Pac-10 with 27 steals and stands second in assists with 5.7 a game. Free-throw shooting continues to dog the Bruins. They rank last in the Pac-10 at 59.8 percent and have shot over 60 percent in only three games.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: The Trojans get a chance to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume this weekend at the Las Vegas Classic. USC will take on Kansas State on Friday and then take on either New Mexico or eighth-ranked Wichita State on Saturday. USC is getting solid play from Lodrick Stewart (15.9 ppg) and Taj Gibson (13.1 ppg, Pac-10 best 10.1 rpg). Both came up big in a 70-58 triumph against Charleston Southern on Sunday, Stewart with his first career double-double (13/10) and Gibson with his league-leading fifth double-double of the season (18/10).

The Inside Wagering Line from Pinnacle Sports Book by Simon Noble

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

The Inside Wagering Line from Pinnacle Sports Book by Simon Noble
Taking Advantage of Late Season Motivational Factors in the NFL
As the NFL regular season winds down, teams have different motivations based on their standings. If you disregard this situational factor, you risk betting on a 'trap' game. Which teams are the most likely to underachieve? The obvious answer is the team that has already qualified for the playoffs and benefits little from a win.
One clear example of this is the Chicago Bears. At 12-2, they've not only won their division, but have also secured home field advantage for the duration of the playoffs. A coach's main goal is to enter the playoffs in the strongest condition possible. This often means that 'banged up' players will rest and key starters may play only two quarters or less.
However, remember that the line already reflects this factor - the Bears (12-2) are only 4.5 point favorites over the Lions (2-12) at Pinnacle Sportsbook. Estimating the line using traditional power rankings (like Sagarin ratings), you would expect the Bears to be favored by about 20 points. The difference - in this case, about 16 points - is how much worse Chicago will play by bringing its 'B-game' to Ford Field.
While the Bears situation is an obvious time to deflate a line, there are less obvious instances, especially in the last week of the season. While there's a strong incentive to finish in the top two of a conference (to earn a first round bye in the playoffs), there is almost no difference between the #3 and #4 seeds, and between the #5 and #6 seeds. Each pair of seeds must play the same number of games to advance to the Super Bowl, and will almost certainly play the same amount of home games to get there. If a team's winning or losing will not move them out of such a pairing, (e.g. the team will finish at #3 or #4 regardless of how it finishes), this is also a good time to deflate the line.
The last week of the season often has unique opportunities. When analyzing the various playoff scenarios, look for situations where a team playing late has its game become meaningless IF a certain result occurs in the early games. This provides a rare opportunity to bet on 'The Holy Grail' of sports betting - the correlated parlay.
For example: Team A plays late, team B plays early. Team A advances as a wild card if B loses, or if A wins. If both occur, Team A still gets a wild card. In this example, team A's late game becomes meaningless if B loses. When a game becomes meaningless, the game line for the team that advanced will often crash at Pinnacle Sportsbetting. Some sports books will take these games off the board during the first game because the spread on the late game can change dramatically based on what happens early.
To best exploit this, make the correlated parlay: Team B to lose (moneyline), parlayed with Team A to lose (spread or ML). Be sure to do this before game day though, in case some of these correlated games are taken off the board.
What are players betting at Pinnacle Sports Book?
Kansa City -6.5 -108 v. Oakland
We initially opened the Raiders at +1 (-104) on Sunday. After getting blanked by St. Louis 20-0 in Oakland, the spread quickly climbed to +6.5 as Chiefs backers outnumbered Raiders backers by a 3-to-1 margin. Although no coach ever tries to lose, the 2-12 Raiders may be better off losing out - they are currently tied with Detroit for the #1 draft pick next year. As always, the sharps got the early number, taking the Chiefs -1 and now the sharper players are passing on both sides at +6.5.
At 7-7, Kansas City is a long shot to even get a wild card. There are three teams in the AFC wild card chase at 8-6, and another three tied with Kansas City at 7-7. That makes this match-up and next week's against Jacksonville 'must-win' games for the Chiefs. Must-win match-ups are overrated in the minds of bettors - teams that must win to advance to the playoffs still win about 50% of the time.
Chicago -4.5 -105 v. Detroit
The Lions opened at +7 (-104) at Pinnacle Sportsbetting, but it drifted down across the market due to the Bears playing a meaningless game. The Chicago Bears 'Chalk Talk' discussed the likelihood of resting players with minor injuries. Despite the downward line movement, we received five times as many bets on the Bears as the Lions.
An old handicapping adage thought that the home field advantage increased in the final two weeks of the season. At one point, it was profitable to blindly bet home teams in the last two games. But in the last five years, home teams are 91-67 straight up (57.5%), but only 69-88 against the spread in the final two weeks. This is an example of the market 'overcorrecting' to a betting trend that was strong in the past. As with all technical trends, do not follow them blindly.
Philadelphia +7 -108 v. Dallas
The Eagles were all but forgotten with the loss of Donovan McNabb earlier this year. Since then, Jeff Garcia has led Philadelphia to three consecutive wins in four starts. As a result, the Eagles are a front-runner in the wild card hunt and a division title is even possible. In this NFC East battle, the Eagles opened at +7.5 (-104), but were quickly bet down. The sharps and public alike backed the Eagles by a 5-to-2 margin. The wise guys have continued to bet the Eagles, even at +7.
Arizona State +7 -110 v. Hawaii
We opened Hawaii as a 10-point favorite, relying on their large 'home field' advantage when playing in Honolulu. Although the Sun Devils finished 7-5, all of its losses were to Pac-10 opponents and four of those were ranked in the top 25. Hawaii finished 10-3, but played an easier schedule and went 0-2 against teams in the top 25. As always, the sharps took the best numbers on Arizona State, betting them as low as +7.5.
Pinnacle Sports Book & Online Betting
PinnacleSports.com is an online betting company providing the best odds on sportsbook gambling, online horseracing and online casino gaming.
With excellent 24/7 customer service, fast payouts, and secure Internet betting, Pinnacle Sports Book satisfies all your sports book betting requirements and game wagering needs.
The Pinnacle Sports Book also offers reduced juice betting so sign-up now with Pinnacle Sportsbook Betting and get wagering today!

Poinsettia Bowl Preview

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Poinsettia Bowl Preview

Who: No. 25 TCU (10-2) vs. Northern Illinois (7-5)

Where: San Diego
When: 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
WagerWeb.com line: TCU -11.5

Key Matchup: The game features the nation’s leading rusher, Garrett Wolfe, against the nation’s fourth-ranked run defense (67.6 YPG).

Why The Huskies Win: Wolfe has been a workhorse at Northern Illinois for four years. His 5,136 career rushing yards is a NIU record and is the most among active NCAA players. Four consecutive teams held him to less than 66 yards rushing at the middle of the season. After a 10-day break, he then rushed for 209 yards and 3 TDs in a game. Wolfe will have rested for 25 days when game-time hits. NIU loves being the underdog. Since 1992, NIU is 12-4 ATS when more than a 10-point dog. NIU is also red hot. The Huskies ended their final two games of the season outscoring their opponents 58-10, including a win over MAC champion Central Michigan.

Why The Horned Frogs Win: Defense. Defense. Defense. TCU has stopped all types of offenses. It held offensive juggernaut Texas Tech to just three points and stopped Air Force’s triple-option attack except for two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake, WAC first-team selections at defensive end, will plug holes and stop the run. Offensively, TCU is on a roll. QB Jeff Ballard has engineered his unit to 135 points the past 3 games, all victories. The team has won seven straight, and as a favorite ATS this season it is 8-2.
Prediction: TCU 34-28.

Karl Fuming At Isiah

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Karl Fuming At Isiah

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

The physical war was over, but the verbal battle had just begun Monday.

After the combatants from the brawl between Denver and New York on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden had been suspended, the accusations began to fly.

The chief accuser was Nuggets coach George Karl, who blames Knicks counterpart Isiah Thomas for precipitating the incident.

“He’s full of (crap),� Karl fumed to the Rocky Mountain News. “He’s a total (butt) hole and he should be held accountable for what his actions are.

“There’s no question in my mind it was premeditated. It was directed by Isiah.�

Thomas accused Karl of running up the score by keeping his starters in the game despite holding a 19-point lead with just over a minute remaining.

The incident began after a hard foul by New York’s Mardy Collins on Denver’s J.R. Smith, who was driving to the basket.

Denver star and NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony received the longest suspension of 15 games for punching Collins. Anthony’s agent, Calvin Andrews, said his client told him that Thomas made threats seconds before the fight. Andrews claimed Anthony was warned by Thomas, “You and your teammates better not go to the hole (because) you might get hurt.�

Thomas denied the accusations.

If both teams were devastated by the suspensions Monday night, they didn’t play like it. When Denver needed a big performance, the smallest man in the NBA stepped up. Backup point guard Earl Boykins scored 29 points and slid his 5-foot-7 frame underneath for seven rebounds in a 117-108 defeat of Washington despite the absence of Anthony and Smith. Starting point guard Andre Miller added 27 points.

And with Collins, Nate Robinson, Jerome James and Jared Jeffries all suspended, the Knicks edged visiting Utah, 97-96, in overtime. Thomas used Channing Frye, David Lee, Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury for at least 44 minutes apiece.

The latter responded the best. After his 31-point performance Saturday night was overshadowed by the brawl, Marbury contributed 29 points and eight assists against the Jazz, while Lee added 17 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.

RISING SUNS: How torrid is Phoenix? The Suns are heavy favorites to extend their winning streak to 15 Tuesday night against invading Toronto.

The Raptors have won three consecutive games despite the absence of leading scorer and rebounder Chris Bosh, yet they are a 13.5-point underdogs, according to

Colts Look Super

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Colts Look Super

By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Everything is fine in Indianapolis, after all. Peyton Manning and Co. just needed another national, prime-time stage against a quality team, and the regular-season Colts everyone has come to know suddenly reappeared.

So what if homefield advantage isn't the top priority now simply because of how the Chargers are playing? The Colts had it last year, and what happened?

All Indianapolis (11-3) can do now is keep winning -- like it did in a 34-16 romp over the Bengals on Monday night -- keep ignoring the critics, and who knows, perhaps, in the end this will be the year.

"On some teams, it's almost like you have two different teams," Manning said. "We try to stick together."

That's a good thing, because no one seemed to believe in the Colts a week ago. They had lost three of four and were giving up rushing yards like they were going out of style. But the ship has been righted -- or so we think -- and the AFC South title is theirs, and the postseason awaits.

Of course, that's usually where the trouble starts. But we digress.

"Sometimes things get escalated," Manning said. "We lost two in a row, so we must have all these problems. We knew what was at stake. We're playing for a lot of momentum going into the postseason and for seeding."

On Christmas Eve, they get another chance -- or a layup if you will -- to continue that momentum as they play the Texans (4-10) in Houston. Monitor the line all week on WagerWeb.com. Then, they close the season against the Dolphins (6-8) in Indianapolis on New Year's Eve.

So, it's not a particularly tough trek down the stretch for Coach Tony Dungy's crew. The problem, however, is that neither team will present a stiff challenge in the running game, and that's surely what the Colts need as they fine-tune things for the playoffs.

Because if they run into the ground-gobbling Jaguars, or the balanced Patriots, or -- dare we say it -- LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers in January, it might be curtains for the Colts.

"We've got a record," Dungy said, "that a lot of teams would like to have."

That's true. And they should be proud of that.

But they also have a defense that a lot of teams would like to face. And, as usual, judgment on this team needs to be reserved until the postseason ends. That's simply because it's the standard that they've set and the ultimate goal that they've yet to reach.

BENGALS BACK ON THE ROAD: It doesn't get much easier for the Bengals, who have a short week to get over the loss to the Colts and get ready for the equally desperate Broncos on Christmas Eve. Monitor the line all week on WagerWeb.com.

Denver (8-6) is back in the thick of things after a convincing 37-20 victory over the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday.

"We need to win one game two more times," Denver safety John Lynch said.

And that's what we mean by desperate. The Broncos' win on Sunday snapped a four-game losing streak that shifted Denver from a contender to a hopeful.

But there is optimism, even though the Bengals (8-6) will be no pushover. Denver closes the season at home against San Francisco (6-8) on New Year's Eve.

EXTRA POINTS: Vikings RB Chester Taylor (ribs) is expected to practice all week and play on Thursday against Green Bay on the NFL Network in a battle of 6-8 teams. The Packers are -3 on WagerWeb.com. ... Giants RB Brandon Jacobs has an ankle injury that will be evaluated all week leading up to New York's date against the Saints (9-5) on Sunday. The Giants (7-7) are -3 on WagerWeb.com. Jacobs will take over for Tiki Barber, who is retiring, full-time next season.

Big Ten Basketball Notebook

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Big Ten Basketball Notebook

By Randy Rosetta
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

After falling out of the polls following back-to-back losses to Maryland and Arizona, Illinois has played with a new chip on its shoulder. That may come in handy tonight when the Illini take on next-door neighbor Missouri in St. Louis in the 26th annual Busch Braggin’ Rights game.

Illinois has reeled off six consecutive victories over Mizzou, punctuated by an 82-50 walloping last season that was the most lopsided win by either team in the series history.

This year marks the first time since 1998 that Illinois isn’t ranked going into the Missouri game and just the sixth time in 26 meetings that neither team is in the polls.

To continue the current winning streak, the Illini will rely on the extraordinary balance it has shown so far this season.

Four players are averaging double digits in scoring, paced by Warren Carter’s 14 points a game. Four other Illini are producing between 8.7-9.7 points a contest. Six different players have led Illinois in scoring this season.

Carter has been the most consistent offensive threat for Illinois. Over the last six outings, the 6-foot-9 senior is logging 17.5 points and 7.8 rebounds a game with three games of 20 points or more.

Coming off its first loss of the season (79-62 at Purdue on Dec. 9), Mizzou does have some history on its side. Since 1980 when the series moved to St. Louis, every first-year coach has won his debut -- Lon Kruger for Illinois in 1996, Quin Snyder for Missouri in 1999, Bill Self for Illinois in 2000 and Bruce Weber for the Illini in 2003. Mike Anderson is in his first year with the Tigers.

Weber is looking for his 100th Illinois win tonight. The Illini are 6.5-point favorites on WagerWeb.com.

OHIO STATE: The third-ranked Buckeyes have a huge showdown looming later this week when they travel south to face No. 4 Florida. Before then, though, OSU has a tricky home game to take care of when Iowa State visits Columbus tonight. The Buckeyes are 23.5-point favorites on WagerWeb.com, but this is the same Cyclone team that threw a major scare into Ohio State last season before falling 70-67. Buckeye freshman Greg Oden is quickly warming up and enters the game after his second double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in OSU’s blowout win over Cincinnati. Oden has blocked 15 shots in three games and is shooting 89.5 percent (17-of-19) from the floor, anchored by a streak of 17 straight makes.

INDIANA: The Hoosiers snagged a gritty 57-47 triumph over Missouri Valley Conference up-and-comer Southern Illinois on Sunday, their first noteworthy victory this season after tough-to-swallow road losses against Duke (54-51) and Kentucky (54-49). IU is winning with defense, leading the Big Ten in 3-point field-goal defense (27.3 percent) and ranking third in overall field-goal defense (38.8 percent). Indiana has struggled to generate consistent offense, but D.J. White has begun to emerge from his missed season, leading the Hoosiers with 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. He is also the Big Ten’s top shot blocker with 2.3 rejections a game. IU gets another chance to record a win against a solid mid-major program when Western Kentucky visits Bloomington on Wednesday.

MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans survived a tough tussle with Chicago State on Saturday, claiming a 69-61 decision for their fourth win in a row. Junior guard Drew Neitzel hung up a career-high 32 points, hitting six 3-pointers and going 10-for-10 from the foul stripe. Neitzel has made more 3s (39) than anyone in the Big Ten and ranks second in the league in free-throw accuracy at 90.2 percent (46-of-51).

WISCONSIN: The Badgers recorded one of the biggest non-conference wins in their history Saturday when they knocked off No. 2 Pittsburgh 89-75, and senior Alando Tucker was a major reason why. Tucker was named the Big Ten Player of the Week after torching the Panthers for a season-best 32 points. He hit 10-of-17 field goals and also yanked down 10 rebounds. Wisconsin beat its highest-ranked foe since 1997 when it edged second-ranked Minnesota 68-65. Tucker, the league’s leading scorer at 21.2 points per game, also produced 20 points earlier last week against Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has scored 20 or more in four straight games.

Liverpool Ascending

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Liverpool Ascending

By Anthony Marinetti
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

After a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal on Nov. 12, Liverpool has gotten its act together in a big way.

Undefeated in its past seven Premier League matches and not conceding a goal in that span, Liverpool is suddenly holding down third position and nipping at the heels of sputtering Chelsea.

Not only is the club playing tough on defense, but it is also scoring plenty of goals, putting up 11 in its past three matches. The balance being displayed is a recipe for success and has Coach Rafael Benitez very pleased.

"We have better balance now," said Benitez after Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Charlton on Saturday. "We have the balance between defense and attack, we are creating a lot of chances, and we don't give too many chances away."

The victory is also significant because it is Liverpool’s second straight away win, and the Reds have struggled mightily on the road thus far this season. The trend has been rather frustrating, so a decisive win at The Valley feels very good.

Steven Gerrard is obviously much more effective back in his central midfield role, scoring a brilliant goal in the 88th minute vs. Charlton. The elevated play of Dirk Kuyt has also been instrumental in the Reds' resurgence. In his first season with Liverpool, the Dutch international has taken awhile to find his form, but is now the perfect complement for the likes of fellow strikers Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy. Though Kuyt has yet to score this campaign, his partnership with Bellamy up top has proven to be very effective.

So where does Liverpool go from here? The club has a two-month respite from Champions League play as it moves to the round of 16, where it will face defending champ Barcelona in February. This is a good thing for the Reds, as they have a grueling Premier League schedule coming up, with four fixtures in a mere eight days. That stretch begins Saturday when Liverpool hosts Watford and is a big -450 favorite on WagerWeb.com.

Liverpool must pick up six points in the first two games of the run over struggling Watford and Blackburn, because it may be low on energy by the time the big match vs. Bolton rolls around.

Liverpool is certainly confident it can continue to score many goals.

"It was a good game,� Benitez said in reference to the Charlton match. “We created a lot of opportunities and scored three goals, but we could have scored more.�

If Rafa continues to manage his lineup as he has in recent weeks, the odds look good for Liverpool. Being able to rotate Bellamy, Crouch and Kuyt at forwards is a luxury that should keep paying dividends, and with Gerrard poised for more production in central midfield, the Reds are a favorite to finish in the top three at season’s end.

Eagles Soaring Behind Garcia

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Eagles Soaring Behind Garcia

By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

As it turns out, Jeff Garcia isn't quite finished just yet. He just needs a supporting cast around him, that's all.

He had one in San Francisco, and became a Pro Bowler. He didn't have one in Cleveland and Detroit, and became expendable.

But he has one in Philadelphia -- a running back, a tight end, a quality line and a host of young, hungry receivers. And as a result, he is 3-1 as a starter and has the Eagles (8-6) in the No. 1 wild-card slot in the NFC, should the season end today.

"It has been a lot of fun," Garcia said. "A year ago, I really was not thinking that this could happen for me."

But to steal an overused cliche, what a difference a year makes. When Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb went down last month, it appeared the season would go with him.

After all, that's what happened last season when Mike McMahon took over for McNabb.

But the thing is, Garcia isn't McMahon. He is a mobile, accurate, sturdy, ad-libbing quarterback who has made the most of his opportunity. Leading the Eagles to a 36-22 victory over the Giants on Sunday, Garcia marched the Eagles 80 yards with relative ease for the winning score in the fourth quarter.

Now, the Giants' defense completely collapsed around him. But, either way, he did make plays, he did silence the crowd, and who knows, he may have buried the Giants once and for all.

"It was about togetherness as a team. It was about having fun as a team and winning as a team," Garcia said. "That was really what it was about. There were times when the defense had to step up and come up with a big play. There were times when the offense had to do their thing. There were times when special teams had to do their thing. When you talk about an all-out effort, that was really what we got."

They'll need another one on Christmas Day. That's when they play the Cowboys (9-5) in Dallas in a game that could -- and probably will -- decide the NFC East. Monitor the line all week on WagerWeb.com. By the way, something tells us that Garcia will have a huge hand in the game, win or lose.

"He is a competitive little son of a gun. Thirty-six years old; I'm glad he has that amount of energy at thirty-six, but that can be trouble at times," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He's bounced back and played well."

And of course, let the storylines begin as Terrell Owens and Garcia face each other as opponents this week. The former 49ers tandem had a few too many rifts during the years in the Bay Area, and this seems like a perfect week to dig them all up.

But the Eagles, quite frankly, don't care.

"Jeff has done a great job. I've said it pretty much for three weeks now that he's been in there," running back Brian Westbrook said. "He comes in, he doesn't make many mistakes, he runs this offense, he leads the team, and with him back there we have a chance of winning and that's what we need."

We'll see if he can keep it up.

BREAK UP THE BILLS: As long as we're digging up old sports cliches, how about the standard: "This is a team you do not want to play down the stretch." If you've heard this one lately, chances are it was in connection with the Bills (7-7), who have won four of five and just posted their first shutout of the season, a 21-0 whitewash of the Dolphins.

It's too bad Buffalo isn't in the NFC, or else it would be alive and well. As it is, the Bills have been reduced basically to spoilers. But, let's face it, they've been pretty good at it. And the biggest reason might just be quarterback J.P. Losman, who has thrown for seven touchdowns in the past three weeks.

"When you have your quarterback in control of everything," receiver Lee Evans said, "it helps your offense out a lot."

Buffalo plays host to Tennessee (7-7) Sunday. Monitor the line all week on WagerWeb.com.

EXTRA POINTS: Don't buy into the Jake Delhomme Era coming to an end in Charlotte, a rumor that made the rounds over the weekend. Even if John Fox drafts a quarterback, it probably won't be until late in the draft. And let's face it, Delhomme has taken an expansion franchise to two NFC title games in a three-year span. ... Backup QB Tarvaris Jackson could get the call for Minnesota on Thursday night against Green Bay, in place of Brad Johnson.

Brawl Suspensions

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Brawl Suspensions

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Madison Square Garden has long been known as a fight site.

Ali-Frazier. Louis-Marciano. Hagler-Robinson.

These famed brawls were inside a ring and the combatants wore gloves.

Not so Saturday night. The Nuggets had landed a haymaker on the Knicks in a game of basketball, then a boxing match broke out. No bell sounded before New York reserve Mardy Collins grabbed a driving J.R. Smith by the neck and yanked him down to the floor.

That's when all hell broke loose. By the time order was restored, all 10 players on the court had been ejected, including Denver scoring machine Carmelo Anthony, who landed a punch on Collins, and New York guard Nate Robinson, who battled Smith in the stands.

The result, announced Monday, is that Anthony has been suspended for 15 games, while Smith and Robinson will be gone for 10 games each. The two Nuggets have combined to average nearly 50 points a game this season.

Other suspended are Collins (six games), Jeffries (four games), Denver forward Nene and New York center Jerome James (one game each for leaving the bench). All the suspensions start tonight, when Denver hosts Washington and New York hosts Utah.

In addition, both organizations have been fined $500,000.

NBA Commissioner David Stern cited several factors in determining the severity of the fines and suspensions.

“Teams will be held accountable for the actions of their employees – management and players alike,� he said. “Players must take advantage of a break or pause in a heated situation to stop and restore order, instead of escalating the situation. Players must heed directions from referees and others who are trying to maintain order and not continue to put fans, referees and peacemakers in harm’s way.�

The uncertainty surrounding both games had prevented WagerWeb.com from posting odds by early Monday afternoon, but expect the Nuggets-Wizards line to be much different than it would have been because of the suspensions and ...

ARENAS BURNING UP ARENAS: Wherever Gilbert Arenas plays these days, explosions follow.

But Sunday night was ridiculous.

The Washington guard scored a franchise- and personal-high 60 points in a 147-141 overtime victory in Los Angeles against the Lakers. It marked Washington's third road win of the season. Arenas scored 14 consecutive points during one sizzling stretch.

Arenas has pulled the Wizards out of an early-season slump. He is averaging 38.7 points in his last seven games while shooing 49 percent from the field.

The performance against the Lakers marked the highest point total by a Washington player since guard Earl (The Pearl) Monroe scored 56 in a 1968 game, coincidentally, against Los Angeles.

DRIBBLES: New Orleans is losing games on the court and players off it. Guard Peja Stojakovic has already missed nine games with what was believed to be back spasms, but has now opted for back surgery. He's averaging 17.1 points a game and shooting 41 percent from 3-point range. Forward David West will undergo surgery on his right elbow. Top reserve Bobby Jackson has also been out with a cracked rib. The decimated Hornets play at Miami on Monday night and are 7.5-point underdogs, according to WagerWeb.com. ... It could have been worse for Toronto point guard Jose Calderon, who was removed from Sunday's win at Golden State on a stretcher after hurting his lower back going for a rebound. His neck was immobilized, but he had movement in all his limbs and is now listed as day-to-day. The Raptors have won three straight games despite the loss of Chris Bosh (left knee injury). ... Orlando rookie guard J.J. Redick has finally received a bit of playing time due to injuries. He has played 50 total minutes in four games and is averaging 2.8 points a game. He has hit just 4 of 15 shots from the field.

Pac-10 Basketball Notebook

http://www.nfl-sports-betting.net
http://www.sport-betting-links.com
http://www.casino-slots-blackjack.com

Pac-10 Basketball Notebook

By Randy Rosetta
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Arizona is one of the hottest teams in the country after stumbling in the season opener, but now the Wildcats get two tougher tests against Conference USA opposition.

UA has reeled off seven straight victories in impressive fashion (averaging 17.1 winning margin) since falling at Virginia on Nov. 12. During their streak, the veteran ’Cats have dismantled several teams expected to vie for NCAA Tournament berths: New Mexico State, UNLV, Illinois, Louisville and most recently San Diego State.

The next two games should present a new challenge, though. Houston visits the McKale Center tonight, while No. 19-ranked Memphis visits Tucson on Wednesday.

The Cougars stunned Arizona last season after the Wildcats missed 16 of their first 17 field goals and tumbled into an 18-point deficit in the first half. That win snapped UA’s two-game winning streak against Houston.

Arizona has been impressive offensively, producing 86.6 points a game with all five starters averaging in double digits. Freshman Chase Budinger and senior Ivan Radenovic lead the way with 17.6 points a game. But it’s been sophomore Marcus Williams who has led the charge lately, with 20 points or more in three of the last four games – anchored by a 21-point, 16-rebound effort against SDSU.

Houston is a 16-point underdog on WagerWeb.com, but the Cougars have enough firepower to test the Wildcats. The Cougars come in averaging 91.7 points a game and are hitting 12.1 3-point field goals a contest.

OREGON STATE: The Beavers are playing better than expected through 10 games, but now face their toughest opponent of the season when 12th-ranked LSU ventures into Gill Coliseum on Sundayy. OSU has played the Tigers only four times, just once since 1969 when Pete Maravich was setting every NCAA scoring record imaginable. LSU doesn’t possess that kind of weapon, but it does have a formidable front line, led by All-American Glen Davis, who averages 19.9 points and 9.9 rebounds a game. The Beavers counter with their own battle-tested front line, buoyed by juniors Marcel Jones and Sasa Cuic. Jones is the Pac-10’s second-leading scorer at 16.8 points per game, while Cuic is coming off a season-high 17 points vs. Western Oregon. OSU is a 12-point underdog on WagerWeb.com, but don’t be surprised if LSU has all it can handle.

OREGON: At 9-0, the Ducks are off to their best start since 1996-97 after routing Eastern Washington 100-74 on Saturday. Oregon got 24 points from Bryce Taylor and 20 from Malik Hairston, both season-highs. Aaron Brooks added 16 points and became the 25th player in OU history to score 1,000 career points. Freshman dynamo Tajuan Porter – all 5-foot-6 of him – continues to lead the Ducks in scoring with 18.2 points a game, anchored by 49.3 percent shooting from 3-point range (36 of 73).

CALIFORNIA: The Bears are the Pac-10’s most enigmatic team so far, with seven impressive victories punctuated by three losses in winnable games to San Diego State, Nevada and San Diego. In the seven wins, Cal has limited foes to 36.6 percent shooting from the field and 55.7 points a game. The Bears have gotten solid play from sophomore guard Theo Robertson, who has recorded double-digit scoring totals in three consecutive games. Cal ranks third in the Pac-10 in field-goal defense (41 percent) and 3-point field-goal defense (28.3 percent).

WASHINGTON STATE: The Cougars are red-hot with a 9-1 start, with a 77-67 triumph against Gonzaga last week as the centerpiece. WSU is off to its best start since 1993-94, with the league’s best scoring defense (58.8 points a game), along with the most 3-point success (64 of 152, 42.1 percent). The Cougars have also blocked more shots (47) than any team in the Pac-10. Sophomore forward Davin Harmeling had a season-high 20 points against Gonzaga and has produced double-figure scoring in five of the last six games. Junior guard Derrick Low has scored in double digits nine times this season and ranks 10th in the league with 16 points a contest. Strangely enough, junior Kyle Weaver, a 6-5 guard, is the leader in both assists (38) and blocked shots (14).