Celtics, Knickerbockers square off in Beantown

Basketball Betting Lines

02/28/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics try to make it two straight wins this evening when they host the division-rival New York Knicks at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston hasn't won consecutive games since ripping off five straight wins from December 9 - 16 this season. The Celtics ended a four-game losing streak with Monday's 77-72 victory over the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

Paul Pierce recorded 28 points to help take advantage of a Tracy McGrady-less Houston squad. Pierce scored seven of his points during a 13-0 run late in the fourth quarter for the Celtics, who won for just the second time over their past 22 contests.

Delonte West added 16 points and Al Jefferson had 16 points and 17 rebounds for Boston, which will return home where it is just 5-21 this season. The Celtics are last in the Atlantic, while New York is 5 1/2 games off the lead.

New York has alternated wins and losses over its last nine games, and posted a 99-93 triumph over Miami on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Stephon Marbury scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Knicks to their second win in three games. Eddy Curry added 28 points and 11 rebounds for New York, which won for the third time in five outings since the All-Star break.

The Knicks, who are still alive for a playoff spot, have lost their last three games on the road and are 10-19 away from the Big Apple this season.

On the injury front for New York, forward David Lee (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game, while guard Steve Francis (knee) is doubtful against the Celtics.

Wednesday's showdown between Boston and New York is the fourth and final meeting of the regular season. The Celtics lead the 2006-07 series by a 2-1 count and have won five of seven and nine of the last 12 meetings.

New York has won two straight after losing its last three in Beantown.

Jinfeist Basketball Betting News

<< Sharks to unveil new look against Predators
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams that made significant acquisitions before the trade deadline meet tonight in San Jose, as the Sharks welcome the Nashville Predators to HP Pavilion. The Predators were early birds in the annual frenzy and w

<< Flames and Wild clash in Calgary
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild will battle each other for Western Conference playoff positioning tonight, when they face off at the Saddledome. The Flames and Wild are currently knotted at 75 points for the seventh

<< Sens and 'Canes cap home-and-home in Ottawa
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes and the Senators will complete a home-and-home series tonight, when they get together at Ottawa's Scotiabank Place. The Senators won the opener of this set in Raleigh on Tuesday evening, as Jason S

<< Top-25 foes meet in the Lone Star State
Austin, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-25 teams meet in a critical Big 12 tilt this evening, as the 15th-ranked Texas Longhorns welcome the seventh-ranked Texas A&M Aggies to the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. The Aggies are sitting

<< Vandy comes to Columbia seeking season sweep of Gamecocks
Columbia, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 19th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores own sole possession of second place in the SEC East, and they will attempt to knock off the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road this evening. Vanderbilt has won

76ers continue homestand vs. Suns >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers resume a six-game homestand this evening when they welcome the Phoenix Suns to the Wachovia Center. Philadelphia opened the homestand with an 89-82 win over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.

Jazz visit Grizzlies in Memphis >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Northwest Division-leading Utah Jazz open a three-game road trip this evening when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum. Utah, which owns a 9 1/2-game lead over Denver in the Northwest standin

Wizards try to turn down Heat in D.C. >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat close out a brief two-game road trip tonight when they take on the Southeast Division-rival Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center. Miami has dropped three of its last four games, including Monday's

Hornets aim to sting visiting Hawks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets will try for their sixth straight win at home this evening when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks to the Ford Center. The Hornets were on the road last night and fell to the Clevelan

Bulls welcome Warriors to Windy City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago is seeing its chances at a division title slipping away. The Bulls will try to rebound tonight when they host the Golden State Warriors at the United Center. Chicago has lost two straight, including Monday's

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.