Bobcats, Trail Blazers try to halt losing streaks

Basketball Betting Lines

03/01/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Charlotte Bobcats play the third of a six-game road trip, as they visit the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at the Rose Garden.

This is the second and final meeting of the campaign between the clubs. On February 9th, Zach Randolph posted 40 points and nine rebounds, as the Trail Blazers picked up a 108-100 overtime victory against Charlotte at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

The Bobcats are 1-1 at Portland. The Trail Blazers have won four of the five contests between the clubs.

Charlotte enters tonight's game on a three-game losing streak. Kevin Martin scored 36 points to lead the Sacramento Kings over the Bobcats, 135-120, on Wednesday at ARCO Arena.

Gerald Wallace registered 31 points, six boards and nine assists in the loss to Sacramento for the Bobcats, who have lost seven of their last 11 games overall. Raymond Felton added 22 points, while Matt Carroll had 19 points in defeat.

Forward Emeka Okafor (strained left calf) is doubtful for tonight's game. He has missed Charlotte's last two contests. Okafor is averaging 14.9 points and a team-best 11.7 assists per game this season.

The Bobcats are 9-20 on the road this season. They will also visit Seattle, Utah and Phoenix on the current swing.

Portland tries to halt a two-game losing streak, as it opens a four-game homestand. On Monday, Rashard Lewis scored 29 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Seattle SuperSonics to a convincing 97-73 win over the Trail Blazers at KeyArena.

Travis Outlaw scored 14 points in the loss to Seattle for the Trail Blazers, while rookie LaMarcus Aldridge netted 12 for Portland, which has lost four of its last six games overall.

On the injury front for Portland, center Joel Przybilla (sore left knee) is doubtful for tonight's game. He has missed two straight games.

The Trail Blazers are 13-15 at home this season. Portland will also host Sacramento, San Antonio and Golden State on the homestand.

Wwwtreasuredome Basketball Betting News

<< Smyth set to make Isles debut as club hosts Blues
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Islanders' newest addition is set to take the ice for the first time when the playoff hopefuls entertain the St. Louis Blues tonight at Nassau Coliseum. The Isles pulled off one of the biggest and most shockin

<< Opening week in Arena Football
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The AFL on ESPN era kicks off this Sunday, March 4, with two marquee matchups at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC. ArenaBowl XX Champion Chicago Rush begin its first title defense after an improbable season-ending, six-ga

<< Kennedy tops crowded Johnnie Walker leaderboard
Phuket, Thailand (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Australian Brad Kennedy carded a seven- under-par 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Johnnie Walker Classic. There are 25 players within four shots of the Kennedy

<< Dumont's goal sends Predators past Sharks
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - J.P. Dumont netted the game-winner in the fourth round of the shootout to lift the Nashville Predators past the San Jose Sharks, 4-3. After Ryane Clowe missed wide on San Jose's first attempt, Alexander

<< Flames edge Wild in shootout
Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jarome Iginla scored the only goal of the shootout to lead the Calgary Flames over the Minnesota Wild, 2-1, at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Robyn Regehr scored for the Flames, winners of three straight

Nation's longest win streak on the line in El Paso >>
El Paso, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The sixth-ranked Memphis Tigers own the nation's longest winning streak at 17 games, and they are clearly favored in tonight's Conference USA clash with the Miners of Texas El- Paso.

Rangers host new-look Penguins in key Atlantic showdown >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will bring a few new faces to the rink this evening, when they head to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers. On Tuesday morning, the Pens convinced 40-year-old winger Gary R

Reeling Flyers resume road trip in Boston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Martin Biron is expected to make his debut in net for the Philadelphia Flyers when they visit the Boston Bruins tonight at TD Banknorth Garden. The Flyers, who have an NHL-low 42 points, have dropped five straight ga

Clippers, SuperSonics conclude home-and-home set >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Clippers and the Seattle SuperSonics play the finale of a home-and-home set tonight at KeyArena. This is the fourth and final meeting of the campaign between the clubs. The Clippers have won three strai

Stars shoot into Florida to battle the Panthers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Stars will conclude a brief excursion through the Sunshine State this evening, when the Pacific Division contenders visit the BankAtlantic Center to face the Florida Panthers. Dallas began the trip on a very goo

MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.