Suns host Pacers in the desert
Basketball Betting Lines
03/02/2007 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Suns try to get back on the winning track, as
they host the slumping Indiana Pacers tonight at US Airways Center.
Phoenix, which returns home after going 3-1 on a four-game road trip, opens a
five-game homestand. On Wednesday, Andre Iguodala finished with 24 points,
seven rebounds and seven assists as the Philadelphia 76ers kept Phoenix from a
historic feat with a 99-94 win at the Wachovia Center.
All-Star Amare Stoudemire had 31 points and 13 boards for the Suns, who were
looking to become the first team ever to sweep its interconference road
schedule (14-1). Regardless, Phoenix finished interconference road play with
the highest winning percentage all-time. Reigning MVP Steve Nash ended with 23
points and nine assists, while Raja Bell scored 13 against his former team in
defeat.
On the injury front for Phoenix, forwards Boris Diaw (back spasms) and Shawn
Marion (bruised right hand/bruised left quadriceps) are questionable for
tonight's contest. Marion, who leads the Suns in rebounding (10.2 rpg), and
Diaw did not play against Philadelphia.
The Suns are an impressive 21-6 at home this season. They will also host the
Lakers, Bobcats, Hornets and Rockets on the current homestand.
Indiana has dropped three in a row and begins a four-game road trip. The
Pacers' last loss was on Tuesday against the Suns.
Nash had 25 points and 11 assists as the Suns came back from an 18-point,
third-quarter deficit for a 103-92 victory over the Pacers at Conseco
Fieldhouse.
Jermaine O'Neal finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and six
blocked shots, but couldn't prevent the third straight setback for the Pacers.
Darrell Armstrong scored 17 points for Indiana, while Mike Dunleavy added 16
points in defeat.
The Pacers are 11-15 on the road this season. They will also visit the
Clippers, Kings and Jazz on the swing.
Indiana has lost two straight and six of its last seven games at Phoenix. The
Suns have won three in a row in the series.
This is the final meeting of the season between the squads.
<< Pistons, Heat set for South Beach battle
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An Eastern Conference Finals rematch is on tap tonight at
AmericanAirlines Arena, as the defending world champion Miami Heat welcome the
Detroit Pistons.
Detroit has won five of six and seven of its last nine at Miami.
<< Red Wings begin homestand against hapless Blackhawks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings open a five-game homestand this
evening, when they welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to Joe Louis Arena.
The Red Wings last played Tuesday evening against the Blackhawks and posted a
4-1 road vic
<< Surging Senators, struggling Thrashers set to face off
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The red-hot Ottawa Senators will try for their ninth win in
10 games this evening, when they visit the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena.
The Senators have gained a point in nine straight games (8-0-1) and are fourth
in
<< Magic pay a visit to San Antonio
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Having temporarily fallen out of the playoff picture, the
Orlando Magic will try to rebound tonight when they visit the San Antonio
Spurs at AT&T Center.
The Magic have lost five of their last six and are now one
<< Hawks, Wizards square off in D.C.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Wizards will try and stop a four-game losing
streak tonight when they resume their homestand against the division-rival
Atlanta Hawks at the Verizon Center.
Washington, which owns a 3 1/2-game lead
Knicks host Warriors at MSG >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Golden State Warriors aim to stop a four-game
losing streak this evening when they battle the New York Knicks at Madison
Square Garden.
Golden State has lost the first two games of its current five-game r
Rockets aim to burn Nuggets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets attempt to extend their winning streak
to three games when they welcome the Houston Rockets tonight to the Pepsi
Center.
Denver plays the middle contest of a three-game homestand. All-Star gu
Salukis begin defense of MVC Tournament title >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top-seeded and 11th-ranked Southern
Illinois Salukis begin defense of their Missouri Valley Conference
Tournament title today, as they take on the ninth-seeded Drake Bulldogs in the
quar
Big West: Lakers, Kings to battle in LA >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pacific Division rivals battle tonight, as the streaking
Los Angeles Lakers welcome the Sacramento Kings to the Staples Center.
This is the second of four meetings between the clubs this season. On January
4th, supers
Roma attempt to keep focus against Ascoli >>
Ascoli, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roma's chances of challenging Inter Milan
for the Serie A title all but vanished on Wednesday as the club failed to take
advantage of a rare Inter draw. Roma was held 2-2 on Wednesday by a bottom-
half Ch
Elite 8 NCAA Tournament Betting at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
In what should be an outstanding Saturday of March Madness betting action, the top four teams in the South and West Regions square off in what should be extremely close match-ups. Three of the four teams are coming off extremely close games on Thursday evening, only UCLA won semi comfortably over Pitt 64-55.
Ohio State is coming off their second game in a row where in all reality they should have lost. Of course that doesn’t matter now since the name of the game is “survive and advance” but as the tournament continues, they can’t afford to keep getting down to their opponents early. Kansas also avoided a scare by holding off a scrappy Southern Illinois squad. In the third thrilling game of the evening Memphis pulled off the minor upset (+3.5) despite being the higher seed to Texas A&M.
Although the spreads are fairly small for Saturday’s games, MySportsbook.com continue to bet against the underdogs. Despite OSU’s two scares, 86% of the “betting public” feels the Buckeyes (-1.5) have what it takes to make the Final Four. In fact, so much of the early money is on OSU that the line has already moved from -1 to -1.5. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas and their high-powered offense are 2 point favorites as they take on UCLA and their effective defense. About 63% of the early money thus far is once again backing the favorites. If those percentages stay that high, don’t be surprised if this line moves as well. If you like Kansas (-2) you might want to jump on it early.
Memphis vs. Ohio State
Both squads were involved in thrillers on Thursday evening and should come out fired up. OSU can ill afford to get behind early like they did versus their previous two opponents (Xavier, Tennessee). Greg Oden needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Buckeyes are a completely different team when he is on the court. Memphis definitely has the athleticism and length to match-up with OSU. Of Memphis’ five leading minute earners, the shortest of the bunch is 6’5”. Each team has a very effective defense; Memphis surrenders 62.3 PPG whereas the Buckeyes give up only 61 PPG. With those type of numbers, it isn’t surprising that Memphis covered the UNDER almost 69% of the time this season. As a favorite, OSU has covered the UNDER almost 66% of the time over the last three seasons. The major concern for Memphis which is magnifies this time of the year is their brutal foul shooting (62%). This season, OSU is 17-11 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in all tournament games. Memphis has been an extremely reliable cover in tournament play in recent years with a 23-8 ATS record over the last three seasons.
UCLA vs. Kansas
In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, UCLA will play in a role which they are very unfamiliar with that of the underdog. Only twice this season have they been getting points from the handicappers and both times they covered. Over the last three seasons UCLA is a reliable 23-7 ATS in this unfamiliar role. UCLA has not fared well against Big 12 opponents recently going 1-7 ATS since 1997. Giving up only 59.6 PPG, UCLA will definitely look to do what they do best: keep this game as low scoring as possible. Their defense has been especially tough during the tournament. UCLA opponents have been able to muster up only 48.7 PPG while shooting a combined 34.5% from the field. UCLA definitely has a challenge at hand with a Kansas team that is capable of putting points on the board in bunches. As a team, they average 79 PPG and shoot an impressive 49.6% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. During the tournament Kansas has been “lights out” from the field having shot 56.2%.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards
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