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The Orlando Magic are quickly sliding in the Eastern Conference. They’ll get a good chance to make up some ground on Tuesday, though, as they face the slumping Los Angeles Clippers on NBA betting odds.
Orlando (32-20, 21-29-2 ATS) is just 3-5 in its last eight games, including three losses in the past four games. The Magic were blown out 91-80 in Boston on Sunday; it was yet another loss against the spread, dropping the club to 1-5 ATS in its last six games.
The trade for Gilbert Arenas is looking increasingly disastrous by the day, and more and more blame is being heaped in Arenas’ direction. He went 0-7 on field goal attempts against the Celtics, finishing with zero points in 15 minutes of action. Arenas is shooting just 30 percent (15 of 50 field goals) over his last five games.
Certainly, you can’t place all the blame for a team’s failures on a single player — a bench player, no less — but Arenas is making $17 million per year. He’s not giving even close to a reasonable effort at that kind of money. It doesn’t help that he’s embarrassing the franchise, too. Arenas was served child-support papers immediately after a game last Thursday.
Everyone needs to shoot the ball better if Orlando is going to turn things around. The Magic hit just 34 percent of their shots against Boston and averaged just 91.7 points in their last four losses.
Los Angeles (19-31, 26-23-1 ATS) has dropped three straight games after losing 97-79 at Miami on Sunday. The Clippers have also lost two of their last three games against the spread.
The Clippers failed to score more than 90 points in two of those losses, and the absence of Eric Gordon is painfully apparent. Gordon leads Los Angeles with 24.1 points per game, but he’s missed seven straight games with a sprained wrist.
Orlando has dominated the head-to-head series, winning and covering eight of the last 10 games it has played against Los Angeles. The met in mid-December, with Orlando winning 94-85. It was the Magic’s eighth straight cover against the Clips.
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Orlando (32-20, 21-29-2 ATS) is just 3-5 in its last eight games, including three losses in the past four games. The Magic were blown out 91-80 in Boston on Sunday; it was yet another loss against the spread, dropping the club to 1-5 ATS in its last six games.
The trade for Gilbert Arenas is looking increasingly disastrous by the day, and more and more blame is being heaped in Arenas’ direction. He went 0-7 on field goal attempts against the Celtics, finishing with zero points in 15 minutes of action. Arenas is shooting just 30 percent (15 of 50 field goals) over his last five games.
Certainly, you can’t place all the blame for a team’s failures on a single player — a bench player, no less — but Arenas is making $17 million per year. He’s not giving even close to a reasonable effort at that kind of money. It doesn’t help that he’s embarrassing the franchise, too. Arenas was served child-support papers immediately after a game last Thursday.
Everyone needs to shoot the ball better if Orlando is going to turn things around. The Magic hit just 34 percent of their shots against Boston and averaged just 91.7 points in their last four losses.
Los Angeles (19-31, 26-23-1 ATS) has dropped three straight games after losing 97-79 at Miami on Sunday. The Clippers have also lost two of their last three games against the spread.
The Clippers failed to score more than 90 points in two of those losses, and the absence of Eric Gordon is painfully apparent. Gordon leads Los Angeles with 24.1 points per game, but he’s missed seven straight games with a sprained wrist.
Orlando has dominated the head-to-head series, winning and covering eight of the last 10 games it has played against Los Angeles. The met in mid-December, with Orlando winning 94-85. It was the Magic’s eighth straight cover against the Clips.
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That signature win the Los Angeles Lakers have been looking for finally came at Boston Thursday night.
Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers with 23 points while Pau Gasol dropped 20 and 10 rebounds to give L.A. with a 92-86 win over the Celtics. L.A. was a two-point underdog in the contest.
After a first half where Ray Allen broke the all-time 3-ball record and the Celtics led by as much as 15, the Lakers came out like defending champions in the second. L.A. outscored the Celtics 27-15 in the third, opening the half with a 10-0 run that gave them the lead. It was back and forth the rest of the way but the Lakers were able to hold Boston to 18 points in the fourth quarter to secure the big win.
L.A. has been rolling since its one-point loss to San Antonio last Thursday, winning and covering their last three in a row. Their next two don’t get any easier, they are at New York and at Orlando . Things get easier though as they venture to Charlotte after that, and then get the pathetic Cavaliers before the All-Star break.
For the Celtics, its another tough game as they face the healthy Miami Heat on Sunday.
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Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers with 23 points while Pau Gasol dropped 20 and 10 rebounds to give L.A. with a 92-86 win over the Celtics. L.A. was a two-point underdog in the contest.
After a first half where Ray Allen broke the all-time 3-ball record and the Celtics led by as much as 15, the Lakers came out like defending champions in the second. L.A. outscored the Celtics 27-15 in the third, opening the half with a 10-0 run that gave them the lead. It was back and forth the rest of the way but the Lakers were able to hold Boston to 18 points in the fourth quarter to secure the big win.
L.A. has been rolling since its one-point loss to San Antonio last Thursday, winning and covering their last three in a row. Their next two don’t get any easier, they are at New York and at Orlando . Things get easier though as they venture to Charlotte after that, and then get the pathetic Cavaliers before the All-Star break.
For the Celtics, its another tough game as they face the healthy Miami Heat on Sunday.
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One of the most heralded coaches in NBA history has resigned from the Utah Jazz.
Jerry Sloan, who was recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, has stepped down from the role not long after a receiving an extension from the team. The team is planning a news conference for 5 p.m. ET on Thursday to discuss his future with the team. He did not offer further details, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will be taking over the team, the Tribune reported.
Rumor is the reason for Sloan’s sudden departure is because Williams and Sloan have had multiple disagreements this season. And after their latest one Wednesday night, Sloan decided to give it up after 23 seasons as Utah's coach. Yahoo writer Adrian Wojnarowski notes that the ownership was listening more to Williams more than Sloan with his 2012 free agency approaching. Williams may have only been willing to re-sign in Utah if Sloan was gone. It’s a pretty crappy ending for a coach who essentially perfected the pick and roll, and coaches up Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Luckily Utah is not in action tonight. An amazing double header is going down however. First it’s the Lakers and Celtics then its the Nuggest and Mavericks. Place your bets on these matchups in the Bodog Sportsbook.
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Jerry Sloan, who was recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, has stepped down from the role not long after a receiving an extension from the team. The team is planning a news conference for 5 p.m. ET on Thursday to discuss his future with the team. He did not offer further details, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will be taking over the team, the Tribune reported.
Rumor is the reason for Sloan’s sudden departure is because Williams and Sloan have had multiple disagreements this season. And after their latest one Wednesday night, Sloan decided to give it up after 23 seasons as Utah's coach. Yahoo writer Adrian Wojnarowski notes that the ownership was listening more to Williams more than Sloan with his 2012 free agency approaching. Williams may have only been willing to re-sign in Utah if Sloan was gone. It’s a pretty crappy ending for a coach who essentially perfected the pick and roll, and coaches up Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Luckily Utah is not in action tonight. An amazing double header is going down however. First it’s the Lakers and Celtics then its the Nuggest and Mavericks. Place your bets on these matchups in the Bodog Sportsbook.
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Are the Orlando Magic a true NBA title contender? Of late it hasn’t looked like it, but the Magic can make a statement on national television Sunday afternoon by upending the suddenly resurgent L.A. Lakers. Bet on this game with Bodog’s NBA odds.
The Magic fell at home Friday night against the Hornets, 99-93, for their eighth consecutive game loss against teams with a winning record. Their last impressive win came more than a month ago, 117-107 in Dallas. But even that was tainted because Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was out of that one with an injury. The Magic are 9-9 in their last 18 games, dropping to fifth in the Eastern Conference. In their last nine games, they are shooting just 28.5 percent (65 of 228) from 3-point range. And this is a team that lives and dies by the 3-pointer because they have zip in the frontcourt other than Dwight Howard, who inexplicably had just one shot in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss. Gilbert Arenas has been a total non-factor since the big trade, shooting just 35 percent from the field.
There could be some good news for today’s game however. Magic power forward Brandon Bass, who injured his left ankle on Jan. 31 and hasn’t played since, participated in practices on Friday and Saturday and could play against the Lakers. Bass, who is averaging 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds, had been starting prior to the injury, but Coach Stan Van Gundy said he wasn’t sure if Bass will get that spot back when he returns.
The Lakers, meanwhile, seem to have found themselves by winning four in a row on their season-long seven-game road trip. On Thursday night they won in Boston for their first win over a true NBA title contender (L.A. had been 0-5 vs. Dallas, San Antonio, Boston and Miami) and on Friday Kobe Bryant lit up the Knicks for 33 points and 10 rebounds in just three quarters as the Lakers rolled New York. Kobe had 19 in the first quarter alone.
Today’s game is the first meeting of the season between these two 2009 NBA finalists.
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The Magic fell at home Friday night against the Hornets, 99-93, for their eighth consecutive game loss against teams with a winning record. Their last impressive win came more than a month ago, 117-107 in Dallas. But even that was tainted because Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was out of that one with an injury. The Magic are 9-9 in their last 18 games, dropping to fifth in the Eastern Conference. In their last nine games, they are shooting just 28.5 percent (65 of 228) from 3-point range. And this is a team that lives and dies by the 3-pointer because they have zip in the frontcourt other than Dwight Howard, who inexplicably had just one shot in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss. Gilbert Arenas has been a total non-factor since the big trade, shooting just 35 percent from the field.
There could be some good news for today’s game however. Magic power forward Brandon Bass, who injured his left ankle on Jan. 31 and hasn’t played since, participated in practices on Friday and Saturday and could play against the Lakers. Bass, who is averaging 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds, had been starting prior to the injury, but Coach Stan Van Gundy said he wasn’t sure if Bass will get that spot back when he returns.
The Lakers, meanwhile, seem to have found themselves by winning four in a row on their season-long seven-game road trip. On Thursday night they won in Boston for their first win over a true NBA title contender (L.A. had been 0-5 vs. Dallas, San Antonio, Boston and Miami) and on Friday Kobe Bryant lit up the Knicks for 33 points and 10 rebounds in just three quarters as the Lakers rolled New York. Kobe had 19 in the first quarter alone.
Today’s game is the first meeting of the season between these two 2009 NBA finalists.
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The Miami Heat made it close, but still fell to the Boston Celtics… again.
Rajon Rondo led a balanced Celtics attack, posting a triple double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to beat the Miami Heat for the third time this season 85-82. Kevin Garnett led the team in scoring with 19. The Celtics were three-point underdogs at home.
Only two parts of Miami’s big three had a solid afternoon Sunday, Dwyane Wade struggled with just 16 points off 6-17 shooting and six turnovers. LeBron James had 22 points 7 rebounds and 7 assists while Chris Bosh led the Heat in scoring with 24 points.
Miami had a chance to beat Boston down the stretch, but once again struggled to make the plays when needed. The Heat forced two misses from Rondo and had a chance to tie the game with James on the line. But the two-time MVP missed one of two free throws, and then forward Mike Miller missed the game-tying 3-pointer that would have put the game in overtime.
The Boston win halts Miami’s eight-game winning streak in which they defeated and covered against squads like Orlando, the L.A. Clippers and Oklahoma City. Another run is possible, as they face only one team above .500, the Chicago Bulls, in their next five games.
Boston makes a full recovery after giving up a big lead at home against 2010 NBA Finals rival Los Angeles and retake the Eastern Conference lead on Miami by a half game.
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Rajon Rondo led a balanced Celtics attack, posting a triple double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to beat the Miami Heat for the third time this season 85-82. Kevin Garnett led the team in scoring with 19. The Celtics were three-point underdogs at home.
Only two parts of Miami’s big three had a solid afternoon Sunday, Dwyane Wade struggled with just 16 points off 6-17 shooting and six turnovers. LeBron James had 22 points 7 rebounds and 7 assists while Chris Bosh led the Heat in scoring with 24 points.
Miami had a chance to beat Boston down the stretch, but once again struggled to make the plays when needed. The Heat forced two misses from Rondo and had a chance to tie the game with James on the line. But the two-time MVP missed one of two free throws, and then forward Mike Miller missed the game-tying 3-pointer that would have put the game in overtime.
The Boston win halts Miami’s eight-game winning streak in which they defeated and covered against squads like Orlando, the L.A. Clippers and Oklahoma City. Another run is possible, as they face only one team above .500, the Chicago Bulls, in their next five games.
Boston makes a full recovery after giving up a big lead at home against 2010 NBA Finals rival Los Angeles and retake the Eastern Conference lead on Miami by a half game.
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While it obviously won’t be the circus that it was when LeBron James returned to Cleveland for the first time, expect a not very nice reception on Wednesday night when the Miami Heat play in Toronto. It’s the Heat’s first visit there this season, marking the return of Chris Bosh to the city he started his NBA career with before bolting for Miami. The Heat are 9-point favorites on Bodog’s NBA odds.
Bosh no doubt will be plenty motivated, especially after Raptors president Bryan Colangelo accused him of having “checked out” after the All-Star break on the team amid a spate of injuries last season. That included the last six games, when Bosh was medically cleared to play after taking a blow to the face at a game in Cleveland, but did not suit up as the Raptors were fighting for a playoff spot. Toronto’s fourth-overall draft pick in 2003, Bosh is averaging 18.3 points and 8.1 rebounds this season.
It’s the final game before the break and of a four-game road trip for Miami, which beat Indiana 110-103 on Tuesday night behind a combined 90 points from the Big 3 of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Bosh. That was the second-highest total of the season for the trio. Wade led the way with 41 points – a franchise-record 31 in the first half – and 12 rebounds. The 29 shot attempts by Wade were the most field goal attempts by a LeBron teammate in his career. The Heat won’t have sharpshooter Mike Miller tonight. He was elbowed in the eye by Pacers power forward Jeff Foster in the third quarter and didn’t return. Miller didn’t travel with the team and might have a concussion.
The Raptors are one of the worst teams in the NBA at 15-40 and among the worst defensive clubs in allowing 104.5 points per game. They do enter off a 98-93 win over the Clippers on Sunday but that was just their second win in 18 games. Toronto traveled to Miami on Nov. 13 and lost 109-100. Bosh finished with 12 points in just under 22 minutes, his night marred by foul trouble.
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Bosh no doubt will be plenty motivated, especially after Raptors president Bryan Colangelo accused him of having “checked out” after the All-Star break on the team amid a spate of injuries last season. That included the last six games, when Bosh was medically cleared to play after taking a blow to the face at a game in Cleveland, but did not suit up as the Raptors were fighting for a playoff spot. Toronto’s fourth-overall draft pick in 2003, Bosh is averaging 18.3 points and 8.1 rebounds this season.
It’s the final game before the break and of a four-game road trip for Miami, which beat Indiana 110-103 on Tuesday night behind a combined 90 points from the Big 3 of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Bosh. That was the second-highest total of the season for the trio. Wade led the way with 41 points – a franchise-record 31 in the first half – and 12 rebounds. The 29 shot attempts by Wade were the most field goal attempts by a LeBron teammate in his career. The Heat won’t have sharpshooter Mike Miller tonight. He was elbowed in the eye by Pacers power forward Jeff Foster in the third quarter and didn’t return. Miller didn’t travel with the team and might have a concussion.
The Raptors are one of the worst teams in the NBA at 15-40 and among the worst defensive clubs in allowing 104.5 points per game. They do enter off a 98-93 win over the Clippers on Sunday but that was just their second win in 18 games. Toronto traveled to Miami on Nov. 13 and lost 109-100. Bosh finished with 12 points in just under 22 minutes, his night marred by foul trouble.
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A blowout at the hands of Orlando is acceptable, a blowout at the hands of Charlotte is concerning, but a 104-99 loss the Cleveland Cavaliers? It’s time to panic in Los Angeles.
The Lakers lost their third in a row Wednesday night straight up and against the spread as 11.5-point favorites on the road. The only Laker who showed up was Pau Gasol, he had 30 points and 20 rebounds.
“It’s a painful, painful loss,” Gasol said. “It’s very disappointing. I don’t understand it.”
It is somewhat understandable that the Lakers are struggling, Wednesday marked their seventh straight game on the road. However, the Lakers have been hold and cold all season, sporting a disappointing 25-31-1 record ATS and struggling against playoff opponents.
The culprit seems to be consistency from its stars. Though Gasol had a good night Wednesday, he has struggled through most of the trip. Kobe Bryant was the star who came up short this time, scoring just 17 points off 8-24 shooting.
“It’s back to the drawing board,” Lamar Odom said. “Defense. Cohesiveness. Our chemistry on offense. I’m not that worried. I think it’s things we can fix.”
The good news is Lakers’ road trip has finally come to an end. They don’t play again until after the all-star break on Feb. 22 against Atlanta. Unfortunately, they’ll have a lot to think about over the break.
“I think they took the break before the game started,” head coach Phil Jackson said.
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The Lakers lost their third in a row Wednesday night straight up and against the spread as 11.5-point favorites on the road. The only Laker who showed up was Pau Gasol, he had 30 points and 20 rebounds.
“It’s a painful, painful loss,” Gasol said. “It’s very disappointing. I don’t understand it.”
It is somewhat understandable that the Lakers are struggling, Wednesday marked their seventh straight game on the road. However, the Lakers have been hold and cold all season, sporting a disappointing 25-31-1 record ATS and struggling against playoff opponents.
The culprit seems to be consistency from its stars. Though Gasol had a good night Wednesday, he has struggled through most of the trip. Kobe Bryant was the star who came up short this time, scoring just 17 points off 8-24 shooting.
“It’s back to the drawing board,” Lamar Odom said. “Defense. Cohesiveness. Our chemistry on offense. I’m not that worried. I think it’s things we can fix.”
The good news is Lakers’ road trip has finally come to an end. They don’t play again until after the all-star break on Feb. 22 against Atlanta. Unfortunately, they’ll have a lot to think about over the break.
“I think they took the break before the game started,” head coach Phil Jackson said.
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While many NBA fans and bettors would agree that the Slam Dunk Contest could use some changes to give it a bit of a jump start, this year’s contest might be the most anticipated in years because of one player: Los Angeles Clippers rookie Blake Griffin, arguably the most exciting dunker in the NBA since Vince Carter entered the Association.
Griffin opened as the overwhelming favorite to win tonight on Bodog’s NBA odds at -275. As if he wasn’t already the runaway favorite, he also will have the home-court and crowd advantage considering All-Star Weekend is at Staples Center in Los Angeles this year. Griffin is followed by Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, who replaces original selection Bucks guard Brandon Jennings. DeRozan, who opened at +300 to win this year, finished second to Nate Robinson in last year’s competition. Robinson is the only three-time winner of this event. Wizards center JaVale McGee at +600 and Thunder center Serge Ibaka at +750 round out the competitors.
Griffin and DeRozan faced off on the court when the Clips and Raptors played on Sunday. The two talked about this contest afterward.
“He tried to ask me what I was going to do and I tried to ask him the same thing,” DeRozan said. “Neither one of us wanted to tell the other what we were doing.”
Griffin, McGee and Ibaka are all big men and that used to be a kiss of death. Before Dwight Howard won in 2008, Larry Nance was the only true big man to win the dunk contest, that coming in the first one staged in 1984. It’s just hard for guys who are 6-foot-10 or taller to make a dunk look tough or spectacular – although Griffin seems to have accomplished that during games. McGee has an incredible vertical leap and possibly the biggest wingspan in the NBA so he is a definite threat to win this. DeRozan says he has lost only one dunk contest in his career – that coming last year. He won it at the McDonald’s All-American high school game. Ibaka also has monster hops but is really just know for power throw downs. A player from the Western Conference hasn’t won this event since the Warriors’ Jason Richardson in 2003.
This year the NBA is pairing each member of the contest with a dunk coach who will work with his player to create and practice some of the electrifying dunks that will take place during the event. Griffin will be paired with TNT analyst and two-time Slam Dunk participant Kenny Smith; DeRozan will practice with one of the NBA’s most thunderous dunkers in history, Darryl Dawkins; McGee will work with NBA TV/TNT analyst and five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber; and Ibaka will prepare with Thunder teammate Kevin Durant.
The two dunkers with the highest first-round scores will advance to the final round. Each player will have to complete two dunks in that round. In the final round, fan voting polls will open via text message and at NBA-com. The combined results from the text voting and NBA-com will determine the champion.
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Griffin opened as the overwhelming favorite to win tonight on Bodog’s NBA odds at -275. As if he wasn’t already the runaway favorite, he also will have the home-court and crowd advantage considering All-Star Weekend is at Staples Center in Los Angeles this year. Griffin is followed by Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, who replaces original selection Bucks guard Brandon Jennings. DeRozan, who opened at +300 to win this year, finished second to Nate Robinson in last year’s competition. Robinson is the only three-time winner of this event. Wizards center JaVale McGee at +600 and Thunder center Serge Ibaka at +750 round out the competitors.
Griffin and DeRozan faced off on the court when the Clips and Raptors played on Sunday. The two talked about this contest afterward.
“He tried to ask me what I was going to do and I tried to ask him the same thing,” DeRozan said. “Neither one of us wanted to tell the other what we were doing.”
Griffin, McGee and Ibaka are all big men and that used to be a kiss of death. Before Dwight Howard won in 2008, Larry Nance was the only true big man to win the dunk contest, that coming in the first one staged in 1984. It’s just hard for guys who are 6-foot-10 or taller to make a dunk look tough or spectacular – although Griffin seems to have accomplished that during games. McGee has an incredible vertical leap and possibly the biggest wingspan in the NBA so he is a definite threat to win this. DeRozan says he has lost only one dunk contest in his career – that coming last year. He won it at the McDonald’s All-American high school game. Ibaka also has monster hops but is really just know for power throw downs. A player from the Western Conference hasn’t won this event since the Warriors’ Jason Richardson in 2003.
This year the NBA is pairing each member of the contest with a dunk coach who will work with his player to create and practice some of the electrifying dunks that will take place during the event. Griffin will be paired with TNT analyst and two-time Slam Dunk participant Kenny Smith; DeRozan will practice with one of the NBA’s most thunderous dunkers in history, Darryl Dawkins; McGee will work with NBA TV/TNT analyst and five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber; and Ibaka will prepare with Thunder teammate Kevin Durant.
The two dunkers with the highest first-round scores will advance to the final round. Each player will have to complete two dunks in that round. In the final round, fan voting polls will open via text message and at NBA-com. The combined results from the text voting and NBA-com will determine the champion.
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This year’s 3-Point Contest could be the most interesting in years because it features two future Hall of Famers and 2011 All-Star Game participants in Boston teammates Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, as well as the reigning and current NBA scoring leader and probably the best young player in the game in Kevin Durant, who also will be playing in Sunday’s main game.
Cleveland’s Daniel Gibson, Miami’s James Jones and Golden State’s Dorell Wright round out the field, but those three are clearly nowhere near the level of the Big 3.
Pierce is the defending champion, having beaten out the Warriors’ Stephen Curry and the Nuggets’ Chauncey Billups in the finals with a 20-point round. Pierce is rather beaten up with a bad shooting hand and foot but he will defend the title. He was the first Celtic to win this contest since Larry Bird won his third consecutive 3-Point title in 1988. But Pierce isn’t the favorite at 18/5 on Bodog. Allen is the 21/10 favorite and many consider him the greatest 3-point shooter of all-time. The record book reflects that as last Thursday vs. the Lakers Allen made career 3-pointer No. 2, 561 to break Reggie Miller’s all-time record. Miller’s record had stood for 13 years, and Allen is poised to put it completely out of reach.
Allen is among the NBA leaders in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage this season. Golden State’s Wright (9/2) entered the break as the leader in 3-pointers made, while Gibson (6/1) was right behind Allen in 3-point percentage. Even the Heat’s Jones (5/1) would have to be considered a better pure 3-point shooter than both Pierce and Durant (3/1), who obviously are the two players with the best all-around games in this field. They don’t rely on 3-pointers as much. But you only need to be hot for one night to win this contest. Jason Kapono was the last player to repeat in this event, coming in 2008.
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Cleveland’s Daniel Gibson, Miami’s James Jones and Golden State’s Dorell Wright round out the field, but those three are clearly nowhere near the level of the Big 3.
Pierce is the defending champion, having beaten out the Warriors’ Stephen Curry and the Nuggets’ Chauncey Billups in the finals with a 20-point round. Pierce is rather beaten up with a bad shooting hand and foot but he will defend the title. He was the first Celtic to win this contest since Larry Bird won his third consecutive 3-Point title in 1988. But Pierce isn’t the favorite at 18/5 on Bodog. Allen is the 21/10 favorite and many consider him the greatest 3-point shooter of all-time. The record book reflects that as last Thursday vs. the Lakers Allen made career 3-pointer No. 2, 561 to break Reggie Miller’s all-time record. Miller’s record had stood for 13 years, and Allen is poised to put it completely out of reach.
Allen is among the NBA leaders in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage this season. Golden State’s Wright (9/2) entered the break as the leader in 3-pointers made, while Gibson (6/1) was right behind Allen in 3-point percentage. Even the Heat’s Jones (5/1) would have to be considered a better pure 3-point shooter than both Pierce and Durant (3/1), who obviously are the two players with the best all-around games in this field. They don’t rely on 3-pointers as much. But you only need to be hot for one night to win this contest. Jason Kapono was the last player to repeat in this event, coming in 2008.
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When looking for trends on betting on the NBA’s All-Star Game, well, there really aren’t any that stand out. The Eastern Conference and Western Conference have alternated wins in each of the past four years, with the East coming out on top last season at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, 141-139 with Miami’s Dwyane Wade being named the game’s MVP. Since 2000, the West has won this game six times and the East five. The longest winning streak for either side was the West taking three in a row from 2002-2004.
From a starting lineup perspective, it would seem the East would have an advantage, as it starts the two NBA MVP leaders in Derrick Rose of the Bulls and LeBron James of the Heat, along with Wade, the Knicks’ Amare Stoudemire and the Magic’s Dwight Howard. Rose is the first Bulls starter since Michael Jordan and Stoudemire is the first Knicks starter since Patrick Ewing. The East is coached by Boston’s Doc Rivers, who says he may play his four Celtics All-Stars at once.
Not that the West starting five is exactly a slouch. Kobe Bryant, who looks for his record-tying fourth NBA All-Star Game MVP Award, leads the group. It’s Kobe’s 13th All-Star selection, which is one shy of the record held by Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone. Kobe is joined in the starting five by the Hornets’ Chris Paul, the Thunder’s Kevin Durant, the Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony – who might not be a Nugget by game-time – and the Spurs’ Tim Duncan. If there’s one “undeserving” starter of that group it would probably be Duncan. He was picked by Gregg Popovich, the coach of the West and San Antonio – to replace Yao Ming, who was voted into the starting five but is out for the year with an injury. Yao was replaced on the roster by the Timberwolves’ Kevin Love. The Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Love, Lakers’ Pau Gasol and Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki all have better numbers than Duncan, who is averaging a career-low 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds. But Duncan also plays on the team with the NBA’s best record. It’s his 12th consecutive All-Star start.
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From a starting lineup perspective, it would seem the East would have an advantage, as it starts the two NBA MVP leaders in Derrick Rose of the Bulls and LeBron James of the Heat, along with Wade, the Knicks’ Amare Stoudemire and the Magic’s Dwight Howard. Rose is the first Bulls starter since Michael Jordan and Stoudemire is the first Knicks starter since Patrick Ewing. The East is coached by Boston’s Doc Rivers, who says he may play his four Celtics All-Stars at once.
Not that the West starting five is exactly a slouch. Kobe Bryant, who looks for his record-tying fourth NBA All-Star Game MVP Award, leads the group. It’s Kobe’s 13th All-Star selection, which is one shy of the record held by Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone. Kobe is joined in the starting five by the Hornets’ Chris Paul, the Thunder’s Kevin Durant, the Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony – who might not be a Nugget by game-time – and the Spurs’ Tim Duncan. If there’s one “undeserving” starter of that group it would probably be Duncan. He was picked by Gregg Popovich, the coach of the West and San Antonio – to replace Yao Ming, who was voted into the starting five but is out for the year with an injury. Yao was replaced on the roster by the Timberwolves’ Kevin Love. The Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Love, Lakers’ Pau Gasol and Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki all have better numbers than Duncan, who is averaging a career-low 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds. But Duncan also plays on the team with the NBA’s best record. It’s his 12th consecutive All-Star start.
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If you aren’t a future Hall of Fame player, then don’t expect to be named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA’s All-Star Game. At least that’s what history tells us, so consider that when betting on the All-Star Game MVP on Bodog’s basketball odds.
Let’s start our look back at All-Star Game MVPs since 1988, which is the year after Seattle’s Tom Chambers took home the award – Chambers was a fine player but obviously nowhere near a Hall of Famer. I would argue that since 1988, when Michael Jordan won his first ASG MVP award, that only two non-Hall of Famers have won the award: Mitch Richmond and Glen Rice. And both those guys were very good players, just probably not Hall-worthy. Here is the list of players who have won the award: Jordan, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and, last year, Dwyane Wade.
Kobe can make history if he wins this year as he would tie Hall of Famer Bob Petit for the most ASG MVP awards with four. Currently Kobe is tied with Jordan, Shaq and Oscar Robertson for the second-most with three. Being as the game is in Los Angeles, Bryant would seem to have a great chance because hometown players often win the award. Kobe won his first one in 2002 and then again in 2007 and 2009 so if he keeps the recent two-year trend up he’s as good as gold. Kobe is tied with LeBron as the 13/2 favorites to win the award on Bodog. LeBron won his in 2006 and 2008, obviously while with the Cavs.
The Thunder’s Kevin Durant, who last year became the NBA’s youngest-ever scoring champion and is leading the league by a wide margin this year, is the third-favorite at Bodog at 15/2. The Clippers’ Blake Griffin, the only rookie in this game, is at 10/1, and he obviously will get the hometown boost just like Kobe. Chicago’s Derrick Rose, who is probably the NBA MVP favorite with LeBron, opened at 17/2 to win ASG MVP in his first start in this game.
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Let’s start our look back at All-Star Game MVPs since 1988, which is the year after Seattle’s Tom Chambers took home the award – Chambers was a fine player but obviously nowhere near a Hall of Famer. I would argue that since 1988, when Michael Jordan won his first ASG MVP award, that only two non-Hall of Famers have won the award: Mitch Richmond and Glen Rice. And both those guys were very good players, just probably not Hall-worthy. Here is the list of players who have won the award: Jordan, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and, last year, Dwyane Wade.
Kobe can make history if he wins this year as he would tie Hall of Famer Bob Petit for the most ASG MVP awards with four. Currently Kobe is tied with Jordan, Shaq and Oscar Robertson for the second-most with three. Being as the game is in Los Angeles, Bryant would seem to have a great chance because hometown players often win the award. Kobe won his first one in 2002 and then again in 2007 and 2009 so if he keeps the recent two-year trend up he’s as good as gold. Kobe is tied with LeBron as the 13/2 favorites to win the award on Bodog. LeBron won his in 2006 and 2008, obviously while with the Cavs.
The Thunder’s Kevin Durant, who last year became the NBA’s youngest-ever scoring champion and is leading the league by a wide margin this year, is the third-favorite at Bodog at 15/2. The Clippers’ Blake Griffin, the only rookie in this game, is at 10/1, and he obviously will get the hometown boost just like Kobe. Chicago’s Derrick Rose, who is probably the NBA MVP favorite with LeBron, opened at 17/2 to win ASG MVP in his first start in this game.
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Now the world can move on to something else because we won’t have to speculate about all those Carmelo Anthony trade rumors any longer because the All-Star is headed to the New York Knicks in a three-team trade.
The Knicks had to gut their team to do it, however. Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors' 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors' 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash. Anthony will go to New York, along with Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.
The Knicks will send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota as part of the deal for a first-round pick. The Timberwolves’ Corey Brewer could be headed to Denver.
Does this make the Knicks that much better this season after losing three starters? I would argue no, but the Knicks do think Billups is an upgrade over Felton and New York officials believe they have a shot at either Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 2012 to join Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire on another super-team like the Heat created.
This move should open the floodgates in terms of trades. The Nets, who previously had a deal in place for Anthony but couldn’t get him to sign a three-year $65 million extension, reportedly might try to get a few of those Knicks from Denver for two first-round picks. New Jersey wants to ship out point guard Devin Harris, with rumors of him landing in Dallas as part of a three-team trade. The Nuggets likely will now deal guard J.R. Smith and probably will flip Felton somewhere else. The Houston Rockets have been taking calls on Shane Battier. Cleveland’s Anthony Parker is wanted by the Bulls and Celtics.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.
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The Knicks had to gut their team to do it, however. Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors' 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors' 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash. Anthony will go to New York, along with Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.
The Knicks will send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota as part of the deal for a first-round pick. The Timberwolves’ Corey Brewer could be headed to Denver.
Does this make the Knicks that much better this season after losing three starters? I would argue no, but the Knicks do think Billups is an upgrade over Felton and New York officials believe they have a shot at either Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 2012 to join Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire on another super-team like the Heat created.
This move should open the floodgates in terms of trades. The Nets, who previously had a deal in place for Anthony but couldn’t get him to sign a three-year $65 million extension, reportedly might try to get a few of those Knicks from Denver for two first-round picks. New Jersey wants to ship out point guard Devin Harris, with rumors of him landing in Dallas as part of a three-team trade. The Nuggets likely will now deal guard J.R. Smith and probably will flip Felton somewhere else. The Houston Rockets have been taking calls on Shane Battier. Cleveland’s Anthony Parker is wanted by the Bulls and Celtics.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.
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Maybe life after Carmelo Anthony won’t be so bad after all.
None of the new Nuggets got minutes but Denver still put on a scoring clinic, outscoring the Memphis Grizzlies 120-107 as one-point favorites at home.
With ‘Melo and point guard Chauncey Billups both gone in a trade to New York, J.R. Smith, Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson all dropped 20 plus, giving Nuggets fans and bettors a glimpse of what the offense is capable of without its all star.
"I've been told by a lot of owners that I coach better when I have a shorter bench," Karl said. "I think everybody knows I enjoy these type of games where you have to mix and match some situations and circumstances and find some success."
Denver led the game by as much as 26 points, but Memphis was able to score 31 points and hold Denver to 18 to make things interesting. Apparently with or without Anthony the Nuggets still won’t be playing much defense.
The new Nuggets were in attendance. Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgoz watched the Nuggets from the stadium’s luxury suite, garnering a standing ovation after being introduced to the crowd.
The question remains how Felton will fit in with the new roster, as he and Lawson both play the same position. Another trade may be on the horizon for Denver.
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None of the new Nuggets got minutes but Denver still put on a scoring clinic, outscoring the Memphis Grizzlies 120-107 as one-point favorites at home.
With ‘Melo and point guard Chauncey Billups both gone in a trade to New York, J.R. Smith, Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson all dropped 20 plus, giving Nuggets fans and bettors a glimpse of what the offense is capable of without its all star.
"I've been told by a lot of owners that I coach better when I have a shorter bench," Karl said. "I think everybody knows I enjoy these type of games where you have to mix and match some situations and circumstances and find some success."
Denver led the game by as much as 26 points, but Memphis was able to score 31 points and hold Denver to 18 to make things interesting. Apparently with or without Anthony the Nuggets still won’t be playing much defense.
The new Nuggets were in attendance. Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgoz watched the Nuggets from the stadium’s luxury suite, garnering a standing ovation after being introduced to the crowd.
The question remains how Felton will fit in with the new roster, as he and Lawson both play the same position. Another trade may be on the horizon for Denver.
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Big names like Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Kendrick Perkins and Jeff Green already shifted teams, but there were also a ton of mini moves in one of the busiest NBA trade deadlines in recent history.
We’ll start with Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats. The versatile forward is on the way to Portland for Joel Pryzbilla, Dante Cunningham and two first-round picks. Already a strong defensive squad Wallace should make them even better with his athletic ability to rebound and block shots.
Houston Rockets guard Aaron Brooks was traded to Phoenix for Goran Dragic and a first round draft pick. Brooks will likely spell Steve Nash while giving a scoring punch Dragic couldn’t deliver.
The Rockets also moved defensive specialist Shane Battier. Battier is going back to Memphis along with guard Ishmael Smith for center Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carrol and a first-round pick. It’s a perplexing move for Memphis as they now have a log jam on the perimeter. The Grizz also planned to move O.J. Mayo to the Indiana Pacers but that move fell through.
With only two games in the NBA tonight (Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics at Denver Nuggets) most of these players should be on their roster come gameday. That said, we doubt Green will be ready to play for Boston tonight, which means the Celtics will be shorthanded when they play tonight at 7:35 p.m. ET.
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We’ll start with Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats. The versatile forward is on the way to Portland for Joel Pryzbilla, Dante Cunningham and two first-round picks. Already a strong defensive squad Wallace should make them even better with his athletic ability to rebound and block shots.
Houston Rockets guard Aaron Brooks was traded to Phoenix for Goran Dragic and a first round draft pick. Brooks will likely spell Steve Nash while giving a scoring punch Dragic couldn’t deliver.
The Rockets also moved defensive specialist Shane Battier. Battier is going back to Memphis along with guard Ishmael Smith for center Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carrol and a first-round pick. It’s a perplexing move for Memphis as they now have a log jam on the perimeter. The Grizz also planned to move O.J. Mayo to the Indiana Pacers but that move fell through.
With only two games in the NBA tonight (Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics at Denver Nuggets) most of these players should be on their roster come gameday. That said, we doubt Green will be ready to play for Boston tonight, which means the Celtics will be shorthanded when they play tonight at 7:35 p.m. ET.
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Though anything after the Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams trades seem like an afterthought, Boston center Kendrick Perkins going to Oklahoma City for forward Jeff Green deserves attention.
The complete trade has Perkins and guard Nate Robinson on the move for Green and center Nenad Kristic. This is somewhat of a surprising decision for the Celtics, as size and toughness, two of Perkins’ strengths, are what gave the Celtics an advantage in the East. Boston also gave up rookie center Semih Erden and forward Like Harangody to Cleveland for a second-round pick.
NBA TV’s David Aldridge speculated that the Celtics sudden decision to abandon their depth at center could be because of the return of retired center/forward Rasheed Wallace. We’ll see. Regardless the addition of such a young forward means the Celtics could be already thinking about the future over their present aging all-stars.
Oklahoma City has been looking for rebounds and toughness at center as their interior was exposed in the playoffs last year against the L.A. Lakers. They’ll have that in spades now with Perkins starting at center, Serge Ibaka moving moving from center to his natural position at forward, and center Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison coming off the bench. Unfortunately, it cost their third-best scorer in Green, he averaged 15..2 and 5.6 rebounds.
Another plus in this move for OKC is Robinson. The fifth-year guard should bring a spark off the bench when all-star Russell Westbrook needs a breather.
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The complete trade has Perkins and guard Nate Robinson on the move for Green and center Nenad Kristic. This is somewhat of a surprising decision for the Celtics, as size and toughness, two of Perkins’ strengths, are what gave the Celtics an advantage in the East. Boston also gave up rookie center Semih Erden and forward Like Harangody to Cleveland for a second-round pick.
NBA TV’s David Aldridge speculated that the Celtics sudden decision to abandon their depth at center could be because of the return of retired center/forward Rasheed Wallace. We’ll see. Regardless the addition of such a young forward means the Celtics could be already thinking about the future over their present aging all-stars.
Oklahoma City has been looking for rebounds and toughness at center as their interior was exposed in the playoffs last year against the L.A. Lakers. They’ll have that in spades now with Perkins starting at center, Serge Ibaka moving moving from center to his natural position at forward, and center Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison coming off the bench. Unfortunately, it cost their third-best scorer in Green, he averaged 15..2 and 5.6 rebounds.
Another plus in this move for OKC is Robinson. The fifth-year guard should bring a spark off the bench when all-star Russell Westbrook needs a breather.
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You know those games that get much more hype than they deserve and then fail to live up to the billing? That probably will describe Sunday night’s ESPN game between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat – bet on the game with Bodog’s NBA odds.
Of course New York is all abuzz after the Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony this week. And Melo started strong with 27 points on Wednesday as the Knicks beat the Bucks. But then reality hit on Friday night as New York inexplicably lost at Cleveland, 115-109. It was the NBA-worst Cavs’ second win over the Knicks this year. Carmelo, who played the final quarter with numbness in his right elbow, had 27 points again but missed a foul shot with 25 seconds left that would have brought New York within two. Afterward, he said he banged his elbow in the second half and that it has been bothering him for some time. He won’t miss any time, however. Amare Stoudemire had 31 points and Chauncey Billups 26 against the Cavs, but that’s the problem with these new-look Knicks after the trade: there’s no one else really other than those three and maybe Landry Fields.
Miami bounced back from a loss at Chicago on Thursday night with a 121-113 win over Washington on Friday. Dwyane Wade led the way with 41 points, his fourth 40-point game of the season. He has now scored at least 40 in 32 games in his career. Only two players have had more 40-plus point games since 2004-05 than Wade: Kobe Bryant (76) and teammate LeBron James (44). It was Miami’s 12th win in the past 14 games overall.
The Heat are 2-1 against the Knicks this season, but that was obviously pre-Carmelo. Former Knick Danilo Gallinari was a huge part of that New York victory. But the Heat also were without an injured Chris Bosh in that one. This will be the final meeting between the teams in the regular season.
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Of course New York is all abuzz after the Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony this week. And Melo started strong with 27 points on Wednesday as the Knicks beat the Bucks. But then reality hit on Friday night as New York inexplicably lost at Cleveland, 115-109. It was the NBA-worst Cavs’ second win over the Knicks this year. Carmelo, who played the final quarter with numbness in his right elbow, had 27 points again but missed a foul shot with 25 seconds left that would have brought New York within two. Afterward, he said he banged his elbow in the second half and that it has been bothering him for some time. He won’t miss any time, however. Amare Stoudemire had 31 points and Chauncey Billups 26 against the Cavs, but that’s the problem with these new-look Knicks after the trade: there’s no one else really other than those three and maybe Landry Fields.
Miami bounced back from a loss at Chicago on Thursday night with a 121-113 win over Washington on Friday. Dwyane Wade led the way with 41 points, his fourth 40-point game of the season. He has now scored at least 40 in 32 games in his career. Only two players have had more 40-plus point games since 2004-05 than Wade: Kobe Bryant (76) and teammate LeBron James (44). It was Miami’s 12th win in the past 14 games overall.
The Heat are 2-1 against the Knicks this season, but that was obviously pre-Carmelo. Former Knick Danilo Gallinari was a huge part of that New York victory. But the Heat also were without an injured Chris Bosh in that one. This will be the final meeting between the teams in the regular season.
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The L.A. Lakers have come off the all-star break determined to prove the talk of their demise has been greatly exaggerated. And they kept rolling against the Oklahoma City Thunder, winning 90-87 as 2-point favorites on the road.
OKC came into this game having lost 13 out of 14 to the Lakers, and missed a couple of late 3-pointers to post number 14 to the defending champions. Recently acquired center Kendrick Perkins can’t come soon enough to help the Thunder deal with L.A.’s big front line.
"Kendrick will obviously provide great muscle inside, and he's the best low-post defender we have in the game, so it's a welcome addition for them, I'm sure," Kobe Bryant said.
Unfortunately, Perkins will be out 2-3 weeks with an MCL sprain, and OKC will have to deal with big men dominating inside until then. The Thunder have lost three games in a row, and it’s clear interior defense has been the problem. L.A.’s starting front line combined for 34 points 21 rebounds and five blocks Sunday.
"These last couple games, it's felt like nothing has gone our way,” forward Kevin Durant said. “But we've got to keep pushing, keep fighting and stay positive."
The Thunder had a chance to tie the game late, but both Durant and James Harden missed 3-pointers from the top of the key with less than 10 seconds left.
Things get easier for the Thunder as they get two days off before facing Indiana on March 2.
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OKC came into this game having lost 13 out of 14 to the Lakers, and missed a couple of late 3-pointers to post number 14 to the defending champions. Recently acquired center Kendrick Perkins can’t come soon enough to help the Thunder deal with L.A.’s big front line.
"Kendrick will obviously provide great muscle inside, and he's the best low-post defender we have in the game, so it's a welcome addition for them, I'm sure," Kobe Bryant said.
Unfortunately, Perkins will be out 2-3 weeks with an MCL sprain, and OKC will have to deal with big men dominating inside until then. The Thunder have lost three games in a row, and it’s clear interior defense has been the problem. L.A.’s starting front line combined for 34 points 21 rebounds and five blocks Sunday.
"These last couple games, it's felt like nothing has gone our way,” forward Kevin Durant said. “But we've got to keep pushing, keep fighting and stay positive."
The Thunder had a chance to tie the game late, but both Durant and James Harden missed 3-pointers from the top of the key with less than 10 seconds left.
Things get easier for the Thunder as they get two days off before facing Indiana on March 2.
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Though Deron Williams’ debut as a New Jersey Net didn’t bring them a win or cover over the Houston Rockets there were some promising signs for Williams and the team.
First, Williams dropped 17 assists, which a monster line considering the talent he has surrounding him in New Jersey. Second because of his playmaking ability the Nets topped 100 points, something that has been rare for the team all season. New Jersey averages just 92.7 points per game and cleared the century mark for just the second time in 10 games.
All this and Williams hasn’t even learned the offense yet. He also didn’t do well offensively hitting only 3-12 shots from the field. Considering his career thus far that will definitely change.
“It’s just a different language here than it was in Utah,” Williams said. “I’m still trying to learn the calls and coverages and the things like that.”
The better he gets the more the Nets’ record against the spread should improve. Currently they sit at 27-32 overall ATS. The Net that has the most to gain from the move seems to be Brook Lopez. Already averaging 19.3 points per game his totals should improve with such a gifted passer in the offense.
The good news is the sked gets easier for the Nets for the next five games. They play Phoenix on Monday, a team that will always let you score 100-plus. Then they get Toronto twice at home then Golden State and the Clippers.
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First, Williams dropped 17 assists, which a monster line considering the talent he has surrounding him in New Jersey. Second because of his playmaking ability the Nets topped 100 points, something that has been rare for the team all season. New Jersey averages just 92.7 points per game and cleared the century mark for just the second time in 10 games.
All this and Williams hasn’t even learned the offense yet. He also didn’t do well offensively hitting only 3-12 shots from the field. Considering his career thus far that will definitely change.
“It’s just a different language here than it was in Utah,” Williams said. “I’m still trying to learn the calls and coverages and the things like that.”
The better he gets the more the Nets’ record against the spread should improve. Currently they sit at 27-32 overall ATS. The Net that has the most to gain from the move seems to be Brook Lopez. Already averaging 19.3 points per game his totals should improve with such a gifted passer in the offense.
The good news is the sked gets easier for the Nets for the next five games. They play Phoenix on Monday, a team that will always let you score 100-plus. Then they get Toronto twice at home then Golden State and the Clippers.
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It’s a possible playoff preview on Tuesday night that highlights the NBA action on the schedule as the New York Knicks look for a Florida sweep when they visit Orlando. Bet on the game with Bodog’s NBA odds.
On Sunday night, the Knicks played one of their best games of the season in winning at Miami 91-86. Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and Amare Stoudemire added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Chauncey Billups had 16 points for the Knicks, who rallied from a 15-point, first-half deficit and improved to 2-1 since the big trade with Denver that dramatically changed their roster. Melo joined Dominique Wilkins as the only players to score at least 27 points in their first three games with a team they joined midseason. The Knicks aren’t exactly known for their defense but that’s what beat Miami. New York allowed Miami just 52 points in the last three quarters, 35 in the second half.
This game starts a telling week for Orlando, as the Magic face the Bulls and Heat following New York. The Magic enter off a 100-86 victory over Charlotte on Sunday as Dwight Howard had 20 points and 10 rebounds. In the month of February, Howard shot 66.7 percent, and averaged 26.6 points, a career high for a single month. He should dominate tonight against Ronny Turiaf and Stoudemire. A very good sign Sunday was Gilbert Arenas scoring 16 points on 5-of-7, including going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He had had just three of his past 38 shots from 3-point range. Orlando is currently two games ahead of Atlanta for fourth in the East and 6.5 games ahead of New York.
This is the second of four meetings this season, with the Magic winning back on Dec. 30 112-103 behind 24 points and 18 boards from Howard.
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On Sunday night, the Knicks played one of their best games of the season in winning at Miami 91-86. Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and Amare Stoudemire added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Chauncey Billups had 16 points for the Knicks, who rallied from a 15-point, first-half deficit and improved to 2-1 since the big trade with Denver that dramatically changed their roster. Melo joined Dominique Wilkins as the only players to score at least 27 points in their first three games with a team they joined midseason. The Knicks aren’t exactly known for their defense but that’s what beat Miami. New York allowed Miami just 52 points in the last three quarters, 35 in the second half.
This game starts a telling week for Orlando, as the Magic face the Bulls and Heat following New York. The Magic enter off a 100-86 victory over Charlotte on Sunday as Dwight Howard had 20 points and 10 rebounds. In the month of February, Howard shot 66.7 percent, and averaged 26.6 points, a career high for a single month. He should dominate tonight against Ronny Turiaf and Stoudemire. A very good sign Sunday was Gilbert Arenas scoring 16 points on 5-of-7, including going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He had had just three of his past 38 shots from 3-point range. Orlando is currently two games ahead of Atlanta for fourth in the East and 6.5 games ahead of New York.
This is the second of four meetings this season, with the Magic winning back on Dec. 30 112-103 behind 24 points and 18 boards from Howard.
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For gamblers it has been a tale of two seasons when betting on the Cavaliers. With LeBron James leading the way last season, Cleveland was a favorite of bettors. This year, gamblers have figured out that if the Cavaliers are involved in the game, it is usually a good bet to go with their opponent.
On Monday evening, it was Dallas' turn to spoil the night of the Cavaliers and their fans. Cleveland kept the game close, as they have done several times during the long losing streak, but Dallas prevailed when Cleveland failed to a shot off as time expired.
The loss to the Mavericks was the twenty-fifth straight loss for the Cavaliers, a new record in the league. For a team that was in the conference finals two seasons ago, and had the best record in the league last year during the regular season, these losses are starting to become a hard pill to swallow.
On the flip side, Dallas has regained their form from earlier in the season when they were one of the leagues best teams. The Mavericks have had an impressive couple of weeks and have taken over second place in the Western Conference from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavaliers chances of making the playoffs were almost eliminated the day James decided to take his talents to South Beach. Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert vowed that the Cavaliers would win a title before James, but with the Miami Heat currently in second place in the conference and Cleveland on a twenty-five game winning streak, it does not look like that prediction will come true this season.