Pierce looks for better game, less foul trouble
Basketball Betting Lines
06/09/2010 - BOSTON (AP) -Paul Pierce knows he has to improve his play in Game 4 of the NBA finals. First, he must stay out of foul trouble. The Boston Celtics' leading scorer in the regular season picked up his fifth foul in the first minute of the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' 91-84 win Tuesday night that gave them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Pierce finished with 15 points, and that included a meaningless layup with 5.1 seconds left, after a rough second game when he missed nine of 11 shots and scored 10 points. The Celtics still won 103-94. Game 4 is Thursday night. Pierce said Wednesday he hasn't been shooting particularly well but that foul trouble has kept him from establishing a consistent rhythm on offense by sending him to the bench.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< 2 BCS schools could lose basketball scholarships
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The NCAA's big boys have figured out how to beat up the little guys in the classroom, too.Spend more money.The newest Academic Progress Rate, released Wednesday, showed seven of the 137 teams facing penalties come from BCS confer
<< Report: Nets eyeing Johnson for coaching job
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Post is reporting that the New
Jersey Nets have entered into discussions with Avery Johnson about the team's
head coaching vacancy.
Johnson was fired after the Dallas Mavericks' ouster from
<< Nadal, Djokovic win second-rounders in London
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - French Open champion Rafael Nadal and
second-seeded Novak Djokovic highlighted Wednesday's second-round winners at
the Aegon Championships, a grass-court Wimbledon tune-up.
Making a smooth transit
<< NFLPA issues challenge to structure of NFL television deals
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National Football League Player's
Association has initiated a legal challenge to the NFL's agreement with
television networks, which allows the league to reap payments even if no games
are pla
<< NCAA bans Portland State men's basketball from postseason
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The men's basketball team at Portland State
has been banned from competing in the NCAA Tournament for the 2010-11 campaign
after the school fell too low on the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) score
list th
Rain pushes back Sharapova, again >>
Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the second time in two days,
rain wreaked havoc on the $220,000 Aegon Classic, as former champion Maria
Sharapova had her second-round match pushed back yet again.
The second-seeded form
Oregon QB Masoli dismissed from team >>
Eugene, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oregon Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was
dismissed from the football program on Wednesday for failing to adhere to
obligations outlined by head coach Chip Kelly which stemmed from Masoli's
guilty
Rangers sign two first round picks >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers have signed outfielder Jake
Skole and catcher Kellin Deglan, their two first round selections in the 2010
Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Skole was the 15th overall pick out
Former Liberty standout becomes assistant >>
Lynchburg, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Liberty University football star
linebacker Manny Rojas has joined the Flames' coaching staff as both a
defensive and special teams assistant.
Rojas ranks third in Big South Conference history with 348
Chargers sign OT Tra Thomas >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Chargers added depth to their
offensive line on Wednesday by agreeing to terms with veteran left tackle Tra
Thomas on a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 35-year-old
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Bet on NFL
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
Bet on NFL
Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard
MySportsbook is considered one of the finest football betting sportsbooks according to several surveys performed by independent industry analysts considering such factors as payout accuracy and timeliness, overall quality of website, and bettor satisfaction.
MySportsbook is a large company with strong financial backing. Considered the best sportsbook for betting football online You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs.
|