Blazers invade LA to take on Clippers
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04/07/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers hope to improve on their playoff
position in the Western Conference tonight when they invade Hollywood to take
on the lowly Los Angeles Clippers.
The Blazers won for the fifth time in six tries on Saturday when Brandon Roy
tallied game-highs of 24 points and six assists, as Portland topped
Sacramento, 98-87, at ARCO Arena.
Andre Miller put in 23 points, while Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge
scored 21 apiece for the Trail Blazers, who had already clinched a postseason
spot earlier last week and helped solidify the Western Conference playoff
picture with the win.
The triumph, coupled with Oklahoma City's win earlier that same night, dropped
Memphis from the race for the final spot, which was clinched by San Antonio.
Portland is now eighth in the conference but just a game behind both Oklahoma
City and San Antonio.
"We found the open man, that was big. There weren't a lot of forced shots,"
Roy said. "We're going to need our bench to get going if we want to make a run
in the playoffs."
The Clippers, meanwhile, dropped their fifth in a row on Sunday when David Lee
had 29 points and Al Harrington scored 26 to lead the Knicks to their first
win in Los Angeles against the Clippers in over 12 years, 113-107.
Baron Davis recorded 23 points and 11 assists and Chris Kaman posted 22 points
and 16 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has dropped 15 of 17 overall. Eric
Gordon and Drew Gooden each scored 17 in defeat.
"We hurt ourselves by not defending their bigs, we also hurt ourselves at the
free throw line," said Clippers coach Kim Hughes.
Portland center Marcus Camby, who pulled down 15 rebounds at Sacramento, will
be facing his former team tonight for the first time since the Feb. 16 trade
that sent him to the pacific northwest for guard Steve Blake and forward
Travis Outlaw.
The Blazers have won five of their past six games with the Clippers, including
two of three this season.
<< Blackhawks aim to extend win streak in clash with Blues
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Central Division champion Chicago Blackhawks will aim
for a fifth straight victory when they host the St. Louis Blues tonight at
United Center.
The Blackhawks clinched their first division title since 1992-93 on Sunday
<< Playoff-bound Avs visit Oilers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Now that they are headed back to the playoffs, the Colorado
Avalanche will try to build some momentum in the final week of the regular
season.
The Avalanche will also complete their road schedule tonight when they visit
t
<< Suns host Spurs in the desert
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Western Conference contenders jockey for playoff
position in the desert Wednesday as the Phoenix Suns host the San Antonio
Spurs.
Phoenix lost for the first time in three weeks on Saturday in Milwaukee wh
<< Red Wings begin home-and-home set with Blue Jackets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With a playoff spot secured, the Detroit Red Wings will
focus on positioning when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Joe
Louis Arena in the opener of a home-and-home series.
The well-rested Red Wings haven't pl
<< Rangers try to keep playoff hopes alive versus Maple Leafs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With time running out in their quest for a playoff spot,
the New York Rangers will try to bounce back from a poor performance when they
host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers were pounde
Seattle Seahawks 2010 Draft Preview (Revised) >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pete Carroll's draft strategy will be laid bare twice in
the first 14 picks, as Seattle picked up an extra first-round pick thanks to a
2009 draft-day deal that helped Denver select cornerback Alphonso Smith in the
second-rou
Mavs, Grizzlies clash in Big D >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks hope to salvage the finale of a three-
game homestand and inch closer to the Southwest Division crown tonight when
they host the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Mavs are coming off a tough 121-116 loss to Ok
Coyotes try to clinch home-ice against Preds >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bankruptcy and ownership issues left many wondering how
long hockey would be around in Phoenix. A victory Wednesday night and the
playoffs will begin with a game at Jobing.com Arena.
The Coyotes will try to lock up the Wes
Bobcats eye playoff spot in New Orleans >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Charlotte Bobcats are on the verge of a couple of
firsts in franchise history. The team can inch even closer to its initial
postseason berth tonight by securing its first ever win in the Big Easy when
they ta
Jazz pay a visit to Rockets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Utah Jazz get back to work on improving their playoff
position in a crowded Western Conference race when they visit south Texas to
take on the Houston Rockets.
The Jazz are coming off a thrilling 140-139 overti
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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