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02/20/2007 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When was the last time that a team held the eighth and final playoff spot at the All-Star break and was the second choice to win its conference? Miami is currently a .500 club at 26-26 but yet is 2-1 to win the East!
At 32-19, Detroit has won 11 of its last 14 games and leads the Heat by almost seven full games in the standings. The Pistons, however, only are favored by the slimmest of margins at 9-5. Which club, at this stage of the season, provides the most value for the money? No doubt that its the Pistons, who are a lock to be either a one or a two-seed come the postseason. Miami, on the other hand, will be lucky to host a first-round playoff series.
In the Western Conference, the Mavericks and the Suns are the teams to beat, which is why they are the top two choices at 7-5 and 5-2, respectively. Dallas has not missed a beat all year long, losing only nine of its first 53 games. Phoenix has been hit with the injury bug, as all-world guard Steve Nash has missed the last four games with a badly bruised right shoulder. Coincidentally, the Suns have dropped their last three games.
Time to examine the top teams in the league and figure out which clubs present the best value to win each conference:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1) DETROIT (9-5)
All the Pistons could do in last seasons playoffs vs. the Heat was fail to reach 93 points in all six games. Their defense was stellar in the first two rounds, as they held both Cleveland and Miami to an average of 92 points per game. The last 11 contests they played all went UNDER. Since January 1, 2007, Detroit has played 22 games and has held the opposition to an average of 90 ppg, so the solid defense is still there. The Pistons, 14-8 in those contests, are 11-5 against the other top eight teams in the conference standings. Another statistic of note is that Detroit is the only Eastern club with a .500 or better road record at 15-9. In fact, the closest team is Indiana at 11-14. The Pistons are the best squad in the East, and their 9-5 odds seem about right.
2) MIAMI (2-1)
It is true that Shaquille ONeal has played only 13 games this year, and thats the main reason the Heat are so close to missing the postseason. Obviously, a lot of people think Shaqs return will propel the Heat to loftier standings, but will it really? ONeal, at 13.5 ppg, is averaging approximately half his career mark of 26 points per game. He is also at the lowest point of his career in rebounding with only six boards per game. Miami is dead last at 5-10 against the other top eight teams in the East. I know that Shaq has missed most of those games, but at 2-1 odds, the Heat quite possibly could be the worst bet of all time.
3) CLEVELAND (9-2)
The Cavaliers have the second-worst record at 7-10 vs. the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. LeBron James is doing all he can to carry Cleveland, but hes averaging five points less per game this year than last, and the team had a better winning percentage last season. On the flip side, the change in the rules allowing the second-best team in a conference to be in the two-spot will be a huge benefit and that could carry the Cavs all the way to the conference finals. Cleveland is very playable at 9-2.
4) CHICAGO (6-1)
Most of the so-called experts were jumping all over Chicagos bandwagon during the preseason after the club added Ben Wallace. His numbers with the Bulls are extremely similar to when he was with Detroit, but its obvious the supporting cast here is nowhere near the level of that of the Pistons. Chicago is playing great ball within its division (7-2) and is 10-7 vs. the other top eight teams in the conference. However, the Bulls need more playoff experience before they can seriously challenge the top teams in the league. Pass.
5) WASHINGTON (15-1)
The Wizards are much-improved from last seasons squad that took Cleveland to six games in the conference quarterfinals. The series was tied at two before the Cavs won the final two games in overtime. Washington very well could make an even better run in this years playoffs, especially considering how well the club has played against Detroit (5-2) and Cleveland (4-2) in the last couple of seasons. A fantastic longshot play at 15-1.
THE REST OF THE EAST
Indiana, Toronto and Orlando sit at 16-1, while New Jersey, with all its injuries, is 25-1. The Pacers have gone backwards in recent years, from the conference finals, to the semis to the quarters. Despite their mid-season acquisitions, they still lost to Denver, Seattle and Golden State all at home earlier this month.
Toronto is definitely a team to watch in coming years, but this season will be a learning year for the young Raptors. The Magic are 5-12 in their last 17 games, so I won't even waste my time with them. Finally, the Nets are battling too many injuries to even be considered a factor down the stretch.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1) DALLAS (7-5)
The Mavericks have been the best team in the league all season long, with winning streaks of 12 and 13, and they currently are riding high on a nine- game stretch. For the Western Conference, only six teams will be included: Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, Utah, Houston and the Lakers. To no ones surprise, the Mavs have, by far and away, the best record vs. the other teams at 10-4. After failing to win the NBA title last season, Dallas has been on a mission to do so this year, and the Mavs get my vote to take the West even at 7-5 odds.
2) PHOENIX (5-2)
Phoenix is the sucker bet of the West. The Suns failed the past two seasons in the conference finals, which shows that their style of play falters against the top defenses (Dallas and San Antonio) when the chips are on the table. Despite its 39-13 record, Phoenix sports the worst record against the other top five teams at 3-7, and at 5-2 odds, I'd rather put my dough on other teams with much better value.
3) SAN ANTONIO (5-1)
The Spurs have had a disappointing first half at 35-18 for a .660 winning percentage. They are currently fourth in the West, yet they would have finished third in the entire NBA last year with that very same winning percentage. San Antonio has failed to win more than five straight games the entire season and is 11-10 since January 1. Another disturbing statistic is a 5-9 record vs. the other top five Western clubs. Once again, this is where money management comes into play. Which team has a better chance of winning a conference, the Spurs at 5-1 having to go up against the Mavs and Suns, or the Cavs at 9-2 with Detroit being their main competition?
4) UTAH (9-1)
Carlos Boozer will be back by late February, and Utah has been playing magnificent as of late, winning six of the seven games that its leading scorer has missed. The Jazz should reach the final four in the West, and anything can happen from there. Utah is 8-4 vs. the top-rated clubs and has not lost to Phoenix since November 2005. If the Jazz square off with the Suns in the semifinals, all they would need is one more series win to reach the NBA Finals. If Dallas gets upset early, 9-1 looks very enticing as the longshot play in the West.
5) HOUSTON (10-1)
Every year, it seems that the Rockets must overcome some sort of major injury. Last year it was Tracy McGrady who missed 35 games, and this season, Yao Ming has played in only 27 of the teams 52 contests. Despite missing its big man, Houston is a mere 1 1/2 games behind San Antonio for fourth in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, thats not the spot to be in, as Dallas could very well be the Rockets' second-round opponent. Houston is not worth a flyer, even at 10-1.
6) LOS ANGELES LAKERS (16-1)
LA has dropped 11 of its last 15 games and finds itself only five games out of the playoffs. Of the top six teams in the West, the Lakers are the only club with a below .500 road record, which doesn't bode well for the postseason. No chance.
THE REST OF THE WEST
Why would anyone bet money on the Nuggets at 19-1? They are only one game over .500 and are 8-12 with Allen Iverson in the lineup. This is where value comes into play, as a team such as Washington at 15-1 is a much better play in the weaker Eastern Conference.
Minnesota and New Orleans are 28-1, while the Clippers are 32-1. None of these clubs has a realistic chance of winning the West, let alone making the playoffs and NOT playing the Mavericks in the first round.
<< Malisse retires from Memphis opener
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fifth-seeded Belgian Xavier Malisse was leading
his first-round match Monday when he retired at the $665,000 Regions Morgan
Keegan Championships.
Malisse was ahead of Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili
<< Austin Peay head coach McCray resigns
Clarksville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Austin Peay State head football coach
Carroll McCray announced his resignation on Monday.
McCray's Governors posted just a 3-8 mark as an NCAA Football Championship
Subdivision Independent last
<< Chivas USA (MLS)
Signed forward Maykel Galindo as a Senior International player.
<< No. 6 Jayhawks top Wildcats, extend Little Apple dominance
Manhattan, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sherron Collins netted 20 points on 8-of-11
shooting as No. 6 Kansas continued its domination over rival Kansas State with
a 71-62 victory.
Mario Chalmers added 17 points while Darrell Arthur posted 13
Lakers' Radmanovic out at least eight weeks >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Lakers forward Vladimir
Radmanovic will be sidelined at least eight weeks after separating his right
shoulder.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the 26-year-old Radmanovic sustaine
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) >>
Signed quarterbacks Mike McMahon and Tom Arth.
Falcons soar into Sin City >>
Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - No longer the only member of the Mountain
West Conference among the nationally-ranked, the Air Force Falcons put their
three-game win streak on the line tonight as they visit the UNLV Runnin'
Rebels
Lone Star State rivals meet in Austin >>
Austin, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Intrastate and Big 12 rivals will collide
in Austin this evening, as the 19th-ranked Texas Longhorns welcome the
Texas Tech Red Raiders to town.
Back-to-back wins have enabled Texas Tech to
2007 Academy Award Betting : Oscars odds
The 79th Annual Academy Awards odds , which will air February 25th, is sparking an interest throughout the nation with the announcement of its nominees. As the public chooses their favorites, sportsbooks are creating odds for one of the biggest entertainment betting nights of the year.
Whether its at a “Oscar Party” or in an on line sportsbook, entertainment gambling on award shows represent a huge increase in betting. As the public speculation mounts, MySportsbook.com, the largest and most respected sportsbook on the web, posted odds on who is going home with a “Golden Best Friend.”
“ We see a majority of our entertainment wagers come from the Academy Awards,” said MySportsbook.com spokesperson, Tim Dalton. “This is a competition that applies to everyone. These are the people that entertain us on a daily basis and you want to see them win.”
MySportsbook.com posted the following odds for Academy Awards:
Odds to win the Achievement in Directing:
Alejandro González Iñárritu "Babel": 8/1
Martin Scorsese "The Departed": 2/17
Clint Eastwood "Letters From Iwo Jima: 4/1
Stephen Frears "The Queen": 12/1
Paul Greengrass "United 93": 15/1
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:
Leonardo DiCaprio in "Blood Diamond": 11/1
Ryan Gosling in "Half Nelson": 20/1
Peter O’Toole in "Venus": 16/5
Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness": 16/1
Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland": 1/11
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:
Penélope Cruz in "Volver": 18/1
Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal": 15/1
Helen Mirren in "The Queen": 1/50
Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada": 10/1
Kate Winslet in "Little Children": 20/1
Best Animated Feature Film:
"Cars": 1/3
"Happy Feet": 2/1
"Monster House": 20/1
Best Foreign-Language Film of the Year:
"Water" – Canada: 22/1
"The Lives of Others" – Germany: 7/2
"After the Wedding" - Denmark: 24/1
"Days of Glory (Indigenes)" – Algeria: 23/1
"Pan's Labyrinth" - Mexico: 1/10
Odds to win the Best Live-Action Short Film:
"Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)": 6/5
"Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)": 7/2
"Helmer & Son": 5/2
"The Saviour": 6/1
"West Bank Story": 7/2
Odds to win the Best Original Screenplay:
"Babel": 7/4
"Letters From Iwo Jima": 3/1
"Little Miss Sunshine": 21/20
"Pan's Labyrinth": 11/4
"The Queen": 5/4
Best Motion Picture of the Year:
"Babel": 11/4
"The Departed": 1/2
"Letters from Iwo Jima": 15/2
"Little Miss Sunshine": 17/10
"The Queen": 20/1
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:
Alan Arkin in "Little Miss Sunshine": 11/10
Jackie Earle Haley in "Little Children": 10/1
Djimon Hounsou in "Blood Diamond": 9/1
Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls": 2/5
Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed": 5/1
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:
Adriana Barraza in "Babel": 14/1
Cate Blanchett in "Notes on a Scandal": 11/1
Abigail Breslin in "Little Miss Sunshine": 2/1
Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls": 1/8
Rinko Kikuchi in "Babel": 11/1
Film To Win Most Oscars:
Dreamgirls: 2/3
Pans Labyrinth: 6/5
The Departed: 6/1
The Queen: 11/1
Babel: 15/1
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest: 11/1
Little Miss Sunshine: 15/1
Additional sports and entertainment odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Rule No. 1 in the gamblers' handbook states, "Avoid sports betting on meaningless games."
When you're drowning in a sea of baseball monotony, however, things change. Even a hint of pro football betting can persuade the most disciplined bettor to break a few rules.
The NFL preseason is around the corner, with a tempting Hall of Fame match kicking off on Sunday. But bettors must stay vigilant. Wagering on NFL exhibition games is an entirely different beast than the regular season. Most fans don't recognize the players on the field because starters get as much action in August as Warcraft fans get on Prom night.
The only certainty about the NFL this time of year is uncertainty – and yet there are some who say betting in August can be a gold mine.
“I actually feel the NFL preseason presents solid profit opportunities for sharp bettors and handicappers,” Sports Expert Steve Merril explains. “My experience has been that the sportsbooks fear the preseason, which is evident by lower limits and massive moves.”
The line moves are attributed to the limited knowledge available regarding playing-time distribution. One team’s top unit out on the field for one more series has an impact on the pointspread. Setting lines in the preseason often is a shot in the dark.
“We base the betting lines mostly on public perception,” Pete Korner, founder of the Sports Club in Las Vegas, says. “It’s very tough to predict, almost a guessing game.”
The preseason is all about figuring out who’s in and for how long.
“It becomes a race between bettors and oddsmakers to find out how long the quarterbacks are going to stay in,” Korner admits. “If a sharp gets the information first, he could exploit an early line. I’m a full believer in moving the line in the preseason if the books find out something late in the week.”
Determining what each team’s motive is can help bettors handicap. To do this you must pay close attention to the philosophies head coaches employ in exhibition play.
“You need to know what a coach is trying to accomplish,” says Covers Expert Bryan Leonard. “Sometimes a new coach will want to instill a winning attitude. Others just want to make sure their starters don’t get hurt."
So how do you distinguish who’s playing scared and who’s playing for keeps?
“Head coaches on the hot seat or new coaches trying to implement a winning attitude usually try harder to win in the preseason,” Merril says.
Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel fits this criteria. He’s entering his third season as the sideline boss and has yet to lead the Browns to more than six wins.
Cleveland is an enticing bet as well because of the unresolved quarterback situation. General manager Phil Savage sacrificed the Browns’ first-round pick in next year’s draft for Brady Quinn, but the former Notre Dame quarterback hasn’t signed or reported to training camp yet.
Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson split time at QB last season and it looks like either player (or even Quinn) could be the opening-day starter.
“If a team has quarterback depth and the pecking order hasn’t been decided, it’s a big advantage,” Leonard says.
Even in the third week of the preseason when starters generally play the most, the final outcome of the game is in the hands of fringe players. A team's talent, all the way down to the last man on the roster, is something to consider.
The New England Patriots have long been considered one of the deeper teams in the NFL and coach Bill Belichick has said in the past he’s unafraid of stars getting hurt in games with nothing on the line. He shocked his colleagues in 2003 by playing some of his starters on special teams in the preseason.
“We want to have the team ready to play a tough, physical game and preparation has to go into that and I imagine a certain amount of injuries go with it,” Belichick told the Providence Journal in August 2003.
Bettors can only hope to find more teams that share the Pats' business-like approach to the preseason (New England is 17-9-3 against the spread since 2000) and take advantage of teams who detest the exhibition schedule.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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