Here are sports betting news and notes for opening night of the NBA

Blazers-Spurs

Portland head coach Nate McMillan said he will not announce his starting five until tipoff claiming the media attention would make it a distraction for the players. They brought in Steve Blake to compete with incumbent Jarrett Jack. Most importantly, Martell Webster has a tremendous preseason averaging 17.7 points per game while shooting 58 percent from the field.

Sportsbooks has the Spurs as a 13.5 point favorite with a total ranging from 189 to 189.5. With injuries to Jacque Vaughn and Beno Udrih, rookie Darius Washington will be the only point guard on the Spurs bench.

The Spurs are 19-7 ATS in the head-to-head meeting, with the home team covering 6-of-8.

Jazz-Warriors

Golden State is a 3.5 point favorite at BetUs Sportsbook with a total of 214.5. Jazz backup small forward Matt Harpring is a game time decision. Because of the California wildfires causing cancellation of the preseason game to the Lakers, Golden State has played once in the last 11 days.

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Rockets-Lakers

The Lakers are without second leader scorer from last year Lamar Odom.

NewBodog has Houston as a five point road favorite with a total of 195.5. The Lakers Kobe Bryant is probable with a sprained right wrist. Houston has a new coach, the much more offensive minded Rick Adelman. The series has been close, last year each team won twice, each winning in overtime in Tinsel Town.

The Lakers have covered 9-of-13 in the series.

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