Coming off of a powerful – but losing – playoff effort last year against the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to commence the 2011-2012 year. The team is going through its greatest early record in the previous 8 years, but are still struggling against the more skillful teams in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 thus far, only 4 of those victories are against teams with records above .500.
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With the Orlando Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a better challenge on their hands, and they are going to need the home court edge tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this year and will look to prolong their record to 6-0. If they’re able to get a win, it will be the first time the team has opened up a year with six straight home victories since the 2002-2003 year.
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However the Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the year thus far. And recent history is most on Orlando’s side. The Magic have defeated the Pacers in Indiana in each of the previous three matchups between the two. Actually, Orlando has won these games on the road in Indianapolis by an average of 13 points. The latest contest between the two was January 26, 2011.
The Pacers will also need to find a method to deal with Magic superstar Dwight Howard. Howard has led the team to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each one of these matches. Despite the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sportsbook posts them as the -3 favorites to eliminate the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.
Both teams come into this game with a 7-3 record over their last 10 matches. The Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, whereas the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Look for Orlando to make a astoundingly powerful showing after their disastrous 87-56 loss to the Boston Celtics a couple of days ago.
Number one rated Kentucky against the NCAA competition hopefuls Georgia? Appears like a recipe for a crushing defeat, especially as Kentucky barely regained that desired No. 1 location on the standings for the 1st time in the earlier two months. Whereas the Kentucky Wildcats are ahead of the standings and experiencing an eleven game win streak, the Bulldogs can best be called inconsistent thus far in the year.
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Kentucky is 19-1 and 5-0 in the SEC. They are coming off of a especially unsightly game at home against Alabama, where they earned their previous 15 points at the foul line. Thankfully, the squad is fairly good from the free-throw line, where they made 23-of-29 to hold onto the win, 77-71. That win, combined with Syracuse dropping their 1st game of the year, put Kentucky back ahead. Their recent eleven game win streak is furthermore their greatest since going 19-0 throughout the 2009-2010 year.
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Georgia is going to have its hands full dealing with the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday, January 24. The Bulldogs earned an invite to the NCAA competition for the 1st time in the last three years in 2011, but two of their principal players graduated to the NBA. Since losing them, Georgia has lost most of their offensive touch, scoring simply 61.9 ppg with a pathetic 39.9 percent field-goal ratio. The Bulldogs are presently 10-9 total and 1-4 in the SEC.
With the Kentucky Wildcats averaging 79.5 ppg, and the Bulldogs at 61.9, it’s no surprise the sports book is favoring Kentucky by 12 points. It might be a bargain taking the Wildcats, as the game could wind up pretty easily as a 15- or 20-point blowout. The total is established at 129, but and I would expect this game to go under the total. If Kentucky plays even a little bit of defense, the Dogs’ offense could be successfully shut down all evening.
The Kings are facing an uphill battle when they battle against the Rockets in Houston on January 13th. This is a situation of both squads restructuring for the long run as both squads look nothing like their early 2000′s heydays. The Kings look to get back to their past prominence in the west with stellar play from their young stalwarts. The Rockets are still coping with the after effects from the retirement of Yao Ming. The Rockets are liked by 3 points by the oddsmakers and this wants to be a hard game to call.
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Sacramento is paced by G Marcus Thornton and PG Tyreke Evans, which supply a young core for the Kings to develop on. The frontcourt is boosted by PF DeMarcus Cousins and his steady play. The Kings are furthermore helped by the expert presence of SG John Salmons coming off the sideline as a deep menace. Former Indiana Hoosier great Keith Smart coaches the Kings.
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The Rockets look significantly different from the times of Yao Ming and Steve Francis running the show. Young PG Kyle Lowry runs the offense with the help of PF Luis Scola and PG Goran Dragic. Veterans help the Houston offense with fellow SG’s Courtney Lee and Kevin Martin contributing when they are able to. Former Celtics great Kevin McHale leads the Rockets at head coach.
Only not too long ago, this contest might have been all over tv with competitors such as Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, Chris Webber, and Bobby Jackson pacing the Kings. The Rockets had Yao Ming, Steve Francis, Robert Horry, and also Tracy McGrady behind them. The times have definitely transformed things for both squads as the day of free agency and salary caps have made long-term dynasties practically obsolete.
This should be an amazing contest between these two once-mighty teams with the game itself too tight to call.
The AT&T Center could get some long distance action on Jan 13th as the Trailblazers head over to San Antonio to take on the San Antonio Spurs. Portland is a young team seeking to build up as the quick but electric Brandon Roy era formally ended with his retirement in December. Former #1 pick Greg Oden has furthermore had continued concerns with his knees as Portland seemingly cannot shake the specter of Sam Bowie. The San Antonio Spurs look to defend their court with spectacular plays from their regular constant roster. The San Antonio Spurs are liked by 8 points and this looks to be an excellent bet.
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Portland is headed by SF LeMarcus Aldridge who has performed well even without the Greg Oden. Veteran SF Gerald Wallace provides defense at a high-caliber for the Trailblazers with the backcourt rounded out by Raymond Felton along with Wesley Matthews. Superstar G Jamal Crawford provides some scoring and a deep menace for the Trailblazers. It’s a time of adjustment for the Portland Trailblazers and this season they want to make a run at the playoffs.
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San Antonio looks to stay in the upper-tier of the west with Gregg Popovich again heading the team on the sideline. The San Antonio Spurs are headed by their usual three-man foundation of PF Tim Duncan, SG Manu Ginobili, as well as PG Tony Parker. Veteran SF Richard Jefferson provides an excellent alternate to Duncan’s inside prowess. C DeJuan Blair completes the starting roster for the San Antonio Spurs. Parker is backed by veteran PG T.J. Ford who can supply points and assists on limited minutes off of the sideline.
This looks to be an excellent game between these 2 squads with the San Antonio Spurs looking for their fans to raise the noise levels up. Portland is a young team of alter seeking to right the ship in a shortened season that looks to have a lot of worries about their future.
On January 12th, things get hot when the Cavaliers come into Phoenix to take on the Suns. Two years ago, this might have been an amazing contest with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head to head in a collision course. In the age of free agency however, times certainly have evolved as this contest appears significantly different. Phoenix is favored by 6 points over the Cleveland Cavaliers and this seems to be a safe wager.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have gone through quite a sea change in the last three years as a squad. With the departure of LeBron James still wreaking havoc on the squad all this time later, the Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled mightily to produce an outstanding basketball squad to put on the court. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost a record 23 straight competitions last year with the only bright spot coming by means of Baron Davis who helped the squad with a few late year victories. Baron Davis departed for New York just after the lockout concluded and the Cleveland Cavaliers again are confronted with the prospect of a difficult year. The Cleveland Cavaliers are paced by veterans PF Antawn Jamison and fan favorite PF Anderson Varejao. SG Daniel Gibson and PG Kyrie Irving full the backcourt for the stressed Cleveland Cavaliers.
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The Phoenix Suns furthermore are coping with changing times in this current NBA landscape. Star PG Steve Nash is regularly questioned about his future as Nash is in his final year under contract. The rumor is that the Suns might maybe deal him to a contender before the year ends. Although both Nash and the Suns front office reject those rumors, it’s sure to be a slight diversion to the squad. Ageless SF 39-year old Grant Hill has experienced a revival of sorts in Phoenix. This resurgence has persuaded former all-star SG Michael Redd to sign with the Suns at the nba minimum contract to stage an incredible comeback after two devastating knee injuries over the past three seasons in Milwaukee. C Marcin Gortat and SF Jared Dudley are doing their best to make up for the loss in frontcourt production due to Amare Stoudemire’s defection to the NY Knicks.
Saturday night on January 14th, the New York Knicks come into Oklahoma City to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in this big contest between these two teams. It’s a tale of two teams as the Oklahoma City Thunder come into play with a steady team of young guns vs the NY Knicks who it looks from year to year always enters into play with lots of adjustments going on. The NY Knicks are liked by 4 points and this might hold unless Durant has one of his typical killer matches.
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The NY Knicks have had a soap opera in the previous 15 years or more in the nba. From almost winning everything with Patrick Ewing and Allan Houston to Allan Houston’s popular 100 Million-Dollar deal and his subsequent knee injury and that only covers the tail end of the 1990′s. The Isiah Thomas era of the NY Knicks will go down in nba history as among the most catastrophic campaigns in recent memory. With these setbacks in past years, the NY Knicks appeared to make some noise in the offseason and they did when they secured Amare Stoudemire from the Phoenix Suns. The NY Knicks are paced by superstar SF Carmelo Anthony and the previously mentioned Amare Stoudemire at power forward. C Tyson Chandler brings presence as well as veteran leadership at center whilst young guns G Iman Shumpert and PG Toney Douglas complete the team.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have had fantastic promise in the last couple of seasons with superstar SF Kevin Durant breaking out and dominating enemy squads with his play. Oklahoma City is composed of a young team behind Durant with G James Harden, PG Russell Westbrook, and PF Serge Ibaka carrying the slack. PG Nick Collison is the only anchor from the old Supersonics team, which moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently on top of in the standings in this young season with fantastic promise to finish out the season ahead.
The United Center in Chicago will be on edge as the Wizards come into town to face the Bulls. In years past, this competition might have been the toughest ticket to get as the second comeback by Michael Jordan turned the Washington Wizards into press darlings throughout the nba. Jordan is now long retired nevertheless and the Washington Wizards have become a great youthful team with vast volumes of possible waiting to be utilized. The sports book has the Chicago Bulls favored by 8 points which sounds correct and sounds like a good bet with Chicago being cheered on at home.
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The Wizards enter into this year with an all new logo design and a new uniform to show a change of perspective and perhaps a change of fortune. The Washington Wizards are a great distance from the times of Gilbert Arenas hitting game-winning shots every other week. Young breakout stars SG Nick Young and PG John Wall who steady the Washington Wizards backcourt with stellar play lead Washington. The Washington Wizards are rounded out by their frontcourt composed of PF Andray Blatche, C JaVale McGee, and veteran SF Rashard Lewis. Look for the Washington Wizards to put up a good bout vs the Chicago Bulls in this one.
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The Bulls have desired returning to the glory days of the 1990′s. They have had fantastic youthful stars come through the organization such as Tyson Chandler, Ben Gordon, Jamal Crawford, and Kirk Hinrich. The Chicago Bulls this year are led by celebrity PG and 2010-11 Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose who’s helped the Chicago Bulls conspicuously since being drafted in 2008. Veterans SF Luol Deng and PF Carlos Boozer provide some power on the inside game. C Joakim Noah continues to be the most skilled center that the Chicago Bulls have experienced in years. Veteran SG Rip Hamilton covers the 2 location very well for Chicago in its’ quest to pursue farther into the playoffs.
The Staples Center is going to come alive on Jan 11th when the Miami Heat competes with the Clippers. The Heat comes in with one of the better records in the NBA boosted by an awesome roster of stars. The Heat lead the NBA as a team in points obtained and assists. The sportsbook has the Heat liked by 8 points and with the backcourt they include, it is apparently a sure bet. Let’s have a closer look at the Heat this season and what they offer.
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With star SF LeBron James guiding the way, Miami brings non-stop scoring. SG Dwyane Wade additionally brings potent scoring at the 2 slot with PF Chris Bosh’s regular play at the 3. Bolstering the Heat attack are PF Udonis Haslem and PG Mario Chalmers who bring up the rear with a regular flow of assists and rebounds. The Heat look to go deep in the playoffs this season after practically winning it all last year.
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The Clippers have a long history of mediocrity under the ownership of Donald Sterling. But with large stars such as Blake Griffin altering the landscape for Los Angeles’ “other team”, things have adjusted in the last couple of seasons. The Clips appear to be content for a playoff berth this season in the always-challenging Pacific Division. Los Angeles is led by celebrity PF Blake Griffin who has continued to be a menace to the basket and the boards. Free Agent developments SG Chauncey Billups and celebrity PF Chris Paul offers veteran leadership which was sorely missing with the departures of Baron Davis and Chris Kaman. The Clippers are additionally helped by the outstanding play of SF Caron Butler and C DeAndre Jordan. Watch for this to be an awesome matchup between the proved stars of Miami vs the young guns of the Clippers Staples Center will be electrified for this matchup.
Both these squads have been doing relatively well this season. This shouldn’t be a surprise to any person as both of these colleges are well known for their share of triumphs in basketball for plenty of years. When Western Virginia visits Connecticut both these squads will be at it out on the court on January 9.
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The Western Virginia Mountaineers is arriving off an extraordinary 21 point win vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights, in which the senior Darryl Bryant took the Scarlet Knights to task by dropping 29 points on them, as well as Kevin Jones who had a great game with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Connecticut on the flip side lost their previous game vs the Seton Hall Pirates by 12 points. Jeremy Lamb was still extraordinary nevertheless with 19 points.
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Comparison between these 2 squads is that West Virginia is only a better team than Connecticut offensively. Defensively, Connecticut is the better team, but you have Kevin Jones who averages a double-double for the season and Darryl Bryant who’s only a monster offensively, which helps West Virginia get the edge over Connecticut. Kevin Jones will leap over folks to get that rebound as he’s one of the better rebounders in the league this year. The Connecticut Huskies do not have any person that can box this kid out. I would not say that this match up in the clash of the titans or anything of that sort, but it ought to be a fascinating game to watch.
If I were wagering on this match, I would wager for the Western Virginia Mountaineers winning vs the Connecticut Huskies considering the Connecticut Huskies do not have any person on the team that can guard both Kevin Jones and Darryl Bryant. Both of them can make you pay if you leave them undefended. One of these will definitely have a huge game on Monday January 9.
The Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own kind of anticipation, despite the fact that this particular contest might not have the same intensity that its football version does. With the conference basketball season just arrived, both the Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys will try to set the tone for the remainder of their season with this game. In Oklahoma’s case, they are going to be seeking to continue what has been a quality start as they finished the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.
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Oklahoma State, alternatively has struggled mightily against their out of conference schedule, posting a meager 7-6 record to date. Just due to the fact the Sooners appear to be rather a tad a lot better than the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the moment does not mean their victory is a foregone conclusion. When you check out this game through a gambler’s eye, predicting who will win and by what amount becomes even harder. Neither Oklahoma nor Oklahoma State has exactly set the world on fire with regards to playing against the spread. In fact, when you examine the 2 team’s records against the spread, the one factor that is apparent is that neither team will probably play as well as those laying money on the game would hope.
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Offensively, the Sooners have depended heavily on junior guard Steven Pledger. Pledger is shooting a tremendous 48.4 percent from three-point land and has averaged 18.8 points per game to date this year. It’s not astonishing that in Oklahoma’s 2 non-conference losses, Pledger had trouble, shooting 33 percent, and averaging just 11 points in those matches.
For the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the offensive attack has depended on several competitors, with Keiton Page being the primary go-to guy. Page has average 13.6 points per game in the non-conference slate. Oklahoma State’s number 2 scorer, Le’Bryan Nash is scoring an average of 11.7 points per contest. Both competitors will must step up in order to have a shot at the Sooners.