Basketball Betting








 

Basketball Betting


NFL Football
NCAA Football
NCAA Basketball
MLB Baseball
NHL Hockey
Soccer
Auto
Horse Racing
Golf
Tennis
 

NBA Basketball Betting

Celtics crush Cavs to take series lead

Basketball Betting Lines

05/11/2010 - Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ray Allen went 6-of-9 from three-point range en route to 25 points, and the Boston Celtics used a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort to rout the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-88, in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Paul Pierce, who had averaged just under 12 points in this series, added 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Celtics, who took a 3-2 series lead, with Game 6 slated for Thursday in Boston. Kevin Garnett posted 18 points and six boards, while Rajon Rondo had 16 with seven assists.

The Celtics, who came into this series as the clear underdog, now stand one game away from facing the Orlando Magic in the conference finals. Boston used its trademark defense to hold Cleveland to 41.2 percent from the field while winning the rebounding battle, 41-31.

Most notably affected was LeBron James, who ended with just 15 points and didn't record his first field goal until midway through the third quarter. He shot a miserable 3-of-14 from the field and was held under 20 points in a postseason game for the first time since scoring 12 on May 6, 2008 against these same Celtics.

Shaquille O'Neal chipped in with 21 points, but the rest of the Cavs were largely held in check. Anthony Parker had 14 points, but Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams combined to shoot 7-of-18 and had nine points apiece.

The Celtics got off to a sluggish start, with Cleveland grabbing a 13-6 lead after a Parker three-point play midway through the first quarter.

Boston responded, though, using a 12-3 burst to take a two-point lead on a trio of Allen free throws with 3 1/2 minutes left. The Cavs finished the period with seven of nine points to head into the second ahead, 23-20.

Cleveland continued its run with six of the first seven points to begin the second, jumping front by a score of 29-21 after a Williams basket, but the Cavs went cold from there, failing to register a point for over six minutes.

During that stretch, Boston scored 16 straight points; Garnett and Pierce each had six during the run that gave the Celtics a 37-29 advantage with four minutes until halftime.

James, who failed to make a field goal in the entire first half, went 8-for-10 from the line in the second quarter, and the Cavs headed into the locker room trailing, 50-44.

Allen hit back-to-back threes to open up the third and give Boston a 12-point lead, and Rondo hit a pair of buckets around a Garnett layup to give the Celtics a 62-46 advantage 3 1/2 minutes into the second half.

James finally notched his first field goal of the game on a fastbreak dunk with 6:15 showing on the clock, but Boston kept building upon its lead. Following James' basket, the Celtics ripped off eight straight points, with an Allen three providing a 73-52 advantage.

Rondo finished with 12 points in the quarter, and Boston carried a sizeable 80-63 lead into the fourth.

The Celtics continued to roll in the fourth, beginning the quarter on a 10-3 burst. Glen Davis had all but two of the points for Boston, which held a 90-66 cushion with 9 1/2 minutes to play.

The outcome was never in doubt the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Davis finished with 15 points, while Kendrick Perkins had 10 for Boston...Cleveland suffered its first home Game 5 loss in franchise history when a series is tied, 2-2. It had been 3-0...The Cavs have lost only three of their last 16 home playoff games, although two of those have come in this series...The closest margin of victory in this series has been eight...Boston shot 55 percent from the field.


<< Westbrook gets first win in two years as Tribe beat KC
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jake Westbrook posted his first victory since April 2008 with six solid frames, as Cleveland blitzed reeling Kansas City, 8-2, at Kauffman Stadium. Westbrook (1-2), who missed most of the last two

<< Mets rally to clip Nats behind six-run eighth
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Carter's first hit as a Met was a big one, driving in the go-ahead run during a six-run eighth, as New York rallied to down Washington, 8-6, in the middle contest of a three-game set. Carter, acquire

<< White Sox use five-run fifth to beat Twins
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alexei Ramirez and A.J. Pierzynski both stroked two-run doubles in a five-run fifth inning, as the Chicago White Sox defeated Minnesota, 5-2, in the opener of a brief two-game series at Target Field.

<< Dice-K strong as Red Sox stay hot in Beantown
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Daisuke Matsuzaka threw seven strong innings as the Boston Red Sox downed the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-1, in the second of a three-game set at Fenway Park. Matsuzaka (2-1) gave up just one run on three hits w

<< Cueto dominates Pirates in Reds' fourth straight win
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Johnny Cueto was utterly dominant during a one-hit, complete game in Cincinnati's 9-0 blanking of Pittsburgh in the second of three games from PNC Park. Cueto (2-1) struck out eight with no walks

Astros use late rally to down Cardinals >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hunter Pence homered and finished with two runs scored, as the Houston Astros downed the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-3, in the opener of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. Lance Berkman also homered, while

Glaus, Hinske lead Atlanta to rout of Brewers >>
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Troy Glaus and Eric Hinske each drove in three runs as Atlanta clobbered Milwaukee, 11-3, in the second of a three-game series. Brian McCann and Jason Heyward each had two hits, scored three times and dr

Angels RHP Stokes lands on DL >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Angels have placed reliever Brian Stokes on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder fatigue and recalled pitcher Bobby Cassevah from Triple-A Salt Lake. Stokes has pitched to a 7.31 earned run av

Blackhawks thump Canucks to reach conference finals >>
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Troy Brouwer opened the scoring two minutes into the second period and four other Chicago forwards scored throughout the contest, as the Blackhawks used a balanced offensive attack to advance to the Western

Barton, Athletics beat Rangers in 13 innings >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Daric Barton smacked a solo home run in the 11th inning and hit an RBI single in the 13th, lifting the Oakland Athletics over the Texas Rangers, 7-6, in the opener of a three-game series at Rangers Ballpar

Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt

Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.

The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.

Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.

"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.

The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.

But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.

The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.

Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.

The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.

The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.

The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.

Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.

Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."

Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.

"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."

Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.

It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.

"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."

Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.

"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."

At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.

According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.

Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.

Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.

When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.

He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.

Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.

Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.

Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.

While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.

"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.

Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.

Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your VISA Sportsbook needs.

Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Super Bowl XLIII, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Super Bowl XLIII is now set, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet each other on February 1st in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The game kicks off at 6:00pm ET on NBC with announcers Al Michaels and John Madden covering the on-field action. Super Bowl XLIII betting odds at online bookmaker MySportsbook.com have the Steelers listed as an early -6.5 against the spread favorite.Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Pittsburgh earned their passage to the big game by beating their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in yesterday's AFC Championship Game. The Steelers jumped on Baltimore early, building a 13-0 first half lead, and never let up on their way to a fairly easy win. Although the Ravens did close to within two points in the fourth quarter, it never appeared as if they had enough offense to pull off the upset.

The Steelers dominating defense held Baltimore to a total of 198 yards while allowing them to convert just three third downs in 13 attempts. Pittsburgh also forced quarterback Joe Flacco into three interceptions, one of which safety Troy Polamalu returned fourty yards for a touchdown.

The Cardinals, by far the playoff team with the longest odds to reach Super Bowl XLIII, did so yesterday with a 32-25 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Arizona charged out of the gates and built a 24-6 halftime lead that had the Eagles venerable defense reeling. Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did most of the damage, connecting on three first half touchdowns.

Arizona, however, could not sustain their momentum and the Eagles took a 25-24 with 10:45 left to play in the fourth. The Cardinals, with the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, mounted a fourteen play, 72 yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:52 off the clock. Warner hit running back Tim Hightower on a short screen for the go-ahead, game clinching score that will forever live in Cardinal infamy.

MySportsbook.com's Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds:

Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)

Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)

Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays yesterday and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, MySportsbook.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.

Get free Super Bowl XLIII Betting from top rated online sportsbook MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online Super Bowl betting with credit cards