Hawks-Heat Odds Preview

The Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat will meet on the court at AmericanAirlines Arena on Monday in a battle of division rivals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Heat listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Hawks lost to Phoenix 104-99 as a 4-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (210).
Josh Smith led the Hawks with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Marvin Williams netted 17 points.
Dwyane Wade went for a game-high 27 points, helping the Heat scorch the favored Magic 103-97 on Saturday. The Heat won the game as a 7.5-point underdog, while the combined 200 points made it OVER the posted total of 194.
Wade finished with eight rebounds and six assists. Mario Chalmers chipped in with 20 points and six assists in the win.
Team records:
Atlanta: 26-17 SU, 23-20 ATS
Miami: 23-19 SU, 20-21-1 ATS
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing New York are 4-6
After playing Phoenix are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5

Miami most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 2-8
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
Atlanta is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Atlanta’s last 15 games
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Miami is 21-3 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami’s last 9 games
Miami is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Miami is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
Atlanta at New York, Wednesday, January 28
Miami home to Washington, Wednesday, January 28

 

Suns-Wizards Lines Preview

The fans at Verizon Center will be treated to a game between the Phoenix Suns and the Washington Wizards when they take their seats on Monday.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Suns defeated Atlanta 104-99 as a 4-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (210).
Amar’e Stoudemire scored 23 points for Phoenix, while Shaquille O’Neal had 19 points and 11 rebounds.
The Wizards were defeated 100-87 by the Trail Blazers last time out, as 10-point road underdogs. The 187 points went UNDER the posted total of 193.
Caron Butler tossed in a game-high 31 points to go with his 10 rebounds and five assists in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 24-18 SU, 14-27-1 ATS
Washington: 9-34 SU, 17-26 ATS
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing San Antonio are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

Washington most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing Portland are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix’s last 6 games when playing Washington
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Phoenix’s last 14 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington’s last 6 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington’s last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Washington is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Washington is 6-17 SU in its last 23 games at home
Next up:
Phoenix home to San Antonio, Thursday, January 29
Washington at Miami, Wednesday, January 28

 

Sunday Sports Headlines and Handicapping Updates

It’s East vs. West in Montreal on Sunday night as the NHL stages its annual All-Star competition. Here’s a look at all of the action in your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Rest of the Schedule

There are plenty of stars in action around the NBA on Sunday as well, but they’ll be scattered around a bunch of different venues. Marquee matinees will take place in Boston and Los Angeles, with the Celtics hosting the Mavericks and the Lakers getting a visit from the Spurs. San Antonio slipped past Los Angeles in their last matchup, a 112-111 Spurs home win as 3-point favorites on January 14.

Also on the NBA’s Sunday schedule: Phoenix at Atlanta, Sacramento at Toronto, Houston at Detroit, Charlotte at Indiana, Chicago at Minnesota, and the Clippers at Golden State. As well, the Jazz will be right back in action on the road against the Nuggets; Utah had to face LeBron James and the Cavaliers Saturday night.

Finally, Big East rivals Louisville and Syracuse will meet at the Carrier Dome on Sunday afternoon; the No. 8 Orangemen fell 78-60 to Pittsburgh in their last game, while the No. 9 Cardinals beat Rutgers 78-59 last time out. No. 4 Pittsburgh takes on West Virginia on Sunday, while No. 7 Michigan State plays Ohio State, and No. 10 Clemson hosts Georgia Tech. As well, No. 12 Georgetown will try to snap a two-game skid when they head out to Seton Hall.

Sports Headlines

NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow passed away at age 66, succumbing to breast cancer…Sugar Shane Mosley defeated Antonio Margarito to win the WBA welterweight title…UCLA lost for the fifth straight time in Seattle, losing to Washington….Alex Ovechkin won the NHL skills breakaway title…Pat White leads the south to victory in the Senior Bowl.

Betting Headlines

The founder of forensic sports handicapping Stevie Vincent does it yet again. As is almost always the case, The Great One comes through easily with his NCAAB GAME of the YEAR. For those who chose to lose on their own, Wright State was laying four points. All they did was win by 26! Stevie says it pays to know the “Wright” people.

Today his less is more dictum comes into full swing. He has a huge, mega huge Level 5 collegiate basketball winner. Click now to purchase

The Gridiron Spotlight

Super Bowl prop bets are already out in full force. If you’re a fan of ageless wonder Kurt Warner you can wager on how many yards the Arizona QB will pass for in the contest; the OVER/UNDER line is at 225.5 at some sportsbooks. For Ben Roethlisberger that mark is lower, at 215.5 yards. As well, the Yes side is the -130 favorite on the prop bet ‘Will Roethlisberger throw at least one interception’, while for Warner both Yes and No are pegged at EVEN odds on that line. Rather wager on all-world Cards receiver Larry Fitzgerald? The OVER/UNDER on his receiving yards for the Super Bowl is listed at 90.5 versus the tough Steelers D. BetUs Sportsbook  and Bookmaker are among the top online casinos with odds posted.

Other Notable Events

The Eastern Conference has been pegged as the -145 favorite at ‘home’ in Montreal for the National Hockey League’s All-Star Game on Sunday (puck drop is 6:00pm ET), but that squad will have to make due without one of their top guns as Penguins forward Sidney Crosby will skip the game because of a sore knee.

Of course, the Western Conference will be missing two of its best players as well, as Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom will sit out due to nagging ailments. Oddsmakers still expect a lot of offense in the game, however, as the total for the night is sitting very high at the books at 16.5.

Voted as starters to the Western Conference team this year were forwards Patrick Kane, Ryan Getzlaf, and Jonathan Toews, along with defensemen Brian Campbell and Scott Niedermayer, and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. The fans elected Crosby, teammate Evgeni Malkin, and Alexei Kovalev as the starting forwards for the Eastern Conference roster, with Andrei Markov and Mike Komisarek the top vote-getters on defense, and Carey Price between the pipes.

A Peek at the Future

Monday night has seven NBA games on the schedule, including Atlanta at Miami, Philadelphia at New Orleans, and Houston at New York . . . Marquette will take on Notre Dame in South Bend in college hoops action on Monday, while Oklahoma State will host Oklahoma . . . the NHL resumes its regular schedule on Tuesday night with 11 games, including Washington on the road against Boston.

Michigan State-Ohio State Lines Preview

The Michigan State Spartans and the Ohio State Buckeyes will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Value City Arena.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Kalin Lucas led Michigan State with 20 points and six rebounds in its 70-63 loss to Northwestern on Wednesday night.
Northwestern won as 12.5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 129-point total set by oddsmakers.
B.J. Mullens led Ohio State with 14 points and seven boards in its 67-49 loss to Illinois on Tuesday night.
Illinois covered as 7-point home favorites as the game played under the 121-point total set by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Michigan State: 15-3 SU, 7-8
ATS
Ohio State
: 13-4 SU, 7-6 ATS
Michigan State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Iowa are 8-2
After playing Northwestern are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1

Ohio State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Michigan are 9-1
After playing Illinois are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Michigan State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Michigan State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Ohio State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Michigan State’s last 5 games when playing Ohio State
Ohio State is 17-1 SU in its last 18 games at home
Ohio State is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games
Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Michigan State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ohio State’s last 5 games when playing Michigan State
Next up:
Michigan State at Iowa, Thursday, January 29
Ohio State home to Michigan, Wednesday, January 28

 

Florida-Vanderbilt Odds Preview

The Florida Gators and the Vanderbilt Commodores will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Memorial Gymnasium.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Nick Calathes drained 20 points for Florida in its 70-69 loss to South Carolina on Wednesday night.
South Carolina won as a home pick ’em, as the teams played under the 152-point total set by oddsmakers.
George Drake had 16 points and six rebounds for Vanderbilt in its 76-63 loss to Tennessee on Tuesday night.
Tennessee covered as 1-point road favorites as the game played under the 146-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Vanderbilt has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 16-3 SU, 5-7 ATS
Vanderbilt: 12-6 SU, 6-8-1 ATS
Florida most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Georgia are 7-3
After playing South Carolina are 8-2
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Florida is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
Florida is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Vanderbilt
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vanderbilt’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vanderbilt’s last 5 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vanderbilt’s last 7 games when playing Florida
Next up:
Florida home to Georgia, Wednesday, January 28
Vanderbilt at South Carolina, Wednesday, January 28

 

Rockets-Pistons Odds Preview

The Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Rockets were outlasted 107-102 by the Pacers on Friday, as a pick’em. The combined score went as a PUSH against the posted total of 209.
Rafer Alston had 17 points with eight rebounds and eight assists in the loss.
The Pistons were upset 112-91 by the Mavericks on Friday, as 4-point favorites at home. That game’s 203 points made it OVER the posted total of 186.
Richard Hamilton had 17 points, and Tayshaun Prince added 12 in a losing effort.
Team records:
Houston: 27-17 SU, 20-24 ATS
Detroit: 24-18 SU, 18-24 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing New York are 7-3
After playing Indiana are 8-2
After a loss are 7-3

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Minnesota are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 9-1
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston’s last 10 games when playing Detroit
Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Houston’s last 18 games on the road
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Detroit is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Detroit’s last 10 games when playing Houston
Detroit is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Houston
Next up:
Houston at New York, Monday, January 26
Detroit at Minnesota, Wednesday, January 28

 

Spurs-Lakers Lines Preview

The San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at STAPLES Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Spurs, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Spurs were locked in a tight contest on Friday, but came away with a hard-fought 94-91 victory over the Nets. The 185 points went UNDER the posted total of 189.
Tim Duncan had a big game for the Spurs, tossing in a game-high 30 points to go with 15 rebounds in a double-double performance.
The Lakers put up 72 points in the first half on Thursday, as they crushed the Wizards 117-97. The Lakers covered the 14-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 208.5.
Andrew Bynum led the Lakers with a double-double, tossing in 23 points to go with 14 rebounds. Pau Gasol added 18 in the win.
Current streak:
San Antonio has won 4 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
San Antonio: 29-13 SU, 19-22-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 34-8 SU, 20-22 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 10-0
Before playing Utah are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 5-3
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Antonio’s last 9 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio’s last 5 games
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
LA Lakers are 19-2 SU in their last 21 games at home
LA Lakers are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Next up:
San Antonio at Utah, Tuesday, January 27
LA Lakers home to Charlotte, Tuesday, January 27

 

Mavericks-Celtics Lines Preview

The Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden.
Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 9-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Dirk Nowitzki dropped 26 points in leading the Mavericks to a 112-91 win over the Pistons on Friday, as 4-point road underdogs. The combined 203 points made it OVER the posted total of 186.
Josh Howard contributed with 22 points and five rebounds, while Brandon Bass chipped in with 18 points.
The Celtics won their seventh straight on Thursday, as they upset the Magic 90-80. The Celtics won that game as a 4.5-point underdog, while the 170 points went UNDER the posted total of 191.5.
Paul Pierce led the way with 27 points and nine rebounds, and Kevin Garnett added 16 in the win.
Current streak:
Boston has won 7 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 25-18 SU, 19-24 ATS
Boston: 36-9 SU, 25-20 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing Golden State are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

Boston most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Sacramento are 5-5
After playing Orlando are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas’s last 5 games
Dallas is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Boston
Dallas is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Boston is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games at home
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas home to Golden State, Wednesday, January 28
Boston home to Sacramento, Wednesday, January 28

 

2009 Super Bowl Proposition Odds For Steelers-Cardinals

Several fantasy football betting odds often known as Super Proposition Bets are already up for Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals.

Who will be the first Pittsburgh Steelers player to score a touchdown? Willie Parker heads the list at +250 followed by a pair of wide receivers. Hines Ward is +300 and Santonio Holmes is +375.

Don’t look for Ben Roethlisberger to score in a keeper. He is +900 to get into the endzone first. Vegas lines are also posted on Nate Washington, Heath Miller, Limas Sweed, Mewelde Moore, Gary Russell and even Troy Polamulu.

Larry Fitzgerald, who dominated the Eagles in the NFC Championship, is the favorite to score Arizona‘s first touchdown at +250. Fellow wideouts Anquan Boldin is +350, while Steve Breaston is +500. Running backs Edgerrin James is +375 and Tim Hightower +375. Both Jerheme Urban and J.J. Arrington are +750.

There are the usual proposition bets on which each QB Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner will do first: throw an interception or touchdown. Which quarterback throws more interceptions in the game or more yards?

BetUs Sportsbook, Bodog Life and Bookmaker are the sportsbooks with the best lists so far. The more eccentric odds that match players in the game against the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James will come out closer to game time.

2009 Academy Awards Las Vegas Odds

Though movie fans wait for most sportsbooks to post the Vegas odds for the 2009 Academy Awards in their entertainment and political betting odds section, we do have the betting lines for the 2009 Oscars courtesy of Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy.

For the most prestigious of the awards, Best Picture, Slumdog Millionaire is the overwhelming favorite at 1-3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is 7-2, followed by Milk at 9-1, Frost/Nixon at 12-1, and the Reader at 18-1.

Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) is likely to get the Oscar for Best Actor as the oddsmakers have him at 8-11. He’s followed by Sean Penn (Milk) at 13-8, Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) at 7-1, Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button) 14-1, and Richard Jenkins (The Visitor) at 20-1.

Other favorites in the major Academy Awards categories include Kate Winslet at 8-11 and Anne Hathaway at 7-4. Best Director Vegas lines has Danny Boyle at 2-5 and David Fincher at 7-2 leading the way.

The late Heath Ledger brings new meaning to overwhelming favorite. He is 1-14 to win Best Supporting Actor, odds not seen much since Michael Phelps in the Olympics. The Best Actress has Penelope Cruz at a 4-5 favorite.

American Idol 2009 odds will likely come out soon and OffshoreInsiders.com and the betting blog JoeDuffy.net will report them when posted.

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