Crawford, Knicks hand Jazz first loss

Basketball Betting Lines

11/09/2008 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jamal Crawford had a game-high 32 points and four assists to lead the New York Knicks in a comeback win over the previously unbeaten Utah Jazz, 107-99, at Madison Square Garden.

Zach Randolph added 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks, who have won three in a row. Nate Robinson ended with 10 points and four steals for New York. Chris Duhon chipped in 16 points and nine helpers in the win.

Carlos Boozer poured in 19 points and hauled in 17 boards for the Jazz, who fell to 5-1 on the year. Andrei Kirilenko tallied 18 points and Mehmet Okur 17 in defeat. Ronnie Brewer gave 12 points, seven steals and seven assists, but also turned the ball over four times.

New York trailed by as many as seven points in the third quarter, but found themselves within four with 4:31 left in the stanza. Two free throws each from Robinson and David Lee sparked an 11-0 run that ended the quarter.

"We're changing the culture around here," Crawford said. "Guys are really competing, we're playing together and coach believes in us. He's positive and upbeat all the time."

Crawford closed out the scoring via a three-pointer with 23.1 seconds left in the third to give the Knicks a 76-69 lead -- their biggest advantage to that point -- heading into the final quarter. Utah was held scoreless for the last 4:31 of the frame.

Consecutive baskets from Randolph and Duhon gave the Knicks a 94-83 lead with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

New York led by as many as 12 the rest of the way and never let Utah get within six to secure the win.

"They knocked down a lot of shots, tough shots, you have to take your hat off to them," Boozer said. "They did a good job of driving the ball and hitting threes."

The Knicks fell behind by seven late in the opening stanza, but a pair from the line by Randolph and a Robinson jumper to close the frame out gave the Jazz a 29-26 lead after 12 minutes.

Seven points from Crawford made it a one-possession game, 52-49, with less than 30 seconds left in the half. However, Boozer hit two at the charity stripe to close out the half and give the visitors a five-point cushion heading into the locker room.

Game Notes

The Knicks are two games over .500 for the first time since January 1, 2005...This is the first 4-2 start for New York since the 2000-2001 season...The Knicks are 4-0 when scoring 100-plus points...It was Randolph's fourth consecutive double-double and third straight 20-10 night...New York shot 41.9 percent (36-for-86) from the floor, while Utah hit 51.3 percent (40-for-78)...The last time Utah started 6-0 was the 1998-99 campaign...The Knicks have won seven of the previous nine encounters with the Jazz. Utah has lost five straight at Madison Square Garden.

Jinfeist Basketball Betting News

<< Pettitte files for free agency
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With a desire to pitch for a 15th season, Andy Pettitte filed for free agency and was the lone player to do so on Sunday. The veteran left-hander compiled 14 wins and lost a career-high 14 games with a 4.54

<< Admirals send Lawrence down to Augusta
Norfolk, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning reassigned forward Chris Lawrence from the Norfolk Admirals to the ECHL Augusta Lynx, the American Hockey League club announced on Saturday. Lawrence, 21, has appeared i

<< Richards leads Red Bulls to upset win over Houston
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dane Richards, who was a Major League Soccer rookie of the year finalist last season, had a forgettable, injury filled regular season. But in the biggest game of the New York Red Bulls' season, he came th

<< Fourth-quarter blitz propels Ravens to fourth straight win
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Willis McGahee and Todd Heap each registered a pair of touchdowns as Baltimore used a fourth-quarter blitz to crush Houston, 41-13, at Reliant Stadium. McGahee gained 112 yards on 25 carries while Heap haule

<< Alabama, Texas Tech maintain top spots in BCS, Penn State tumbles
Irving, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alabama and Texas Tech remained Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the latest Bowl Championship Series poll, while Penn State fell to eighth after its crushing upset loss at Iowa. The Crimson Tide (.9814) e

Villarreal, Valencia win to keep pace with Barca >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both Villarreal and Valencia earned wins in Spanish La Liga action on Sunday to keep pace with table leaders Barcelona, which earned an impressive 6-0 victory over Valladolid on Saturday. Early goals fr

Reasoner helps Thrashers win fourth straight >>
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marty Reasoner tallied twice and Ilya Kovalchuk picked up a goal and one assist as Atlanta topped Carolina, 5-2, at the RBC Center. Ron Hainsey and Jason Williams also lit the lamp for the Thrashers, who h

Bettencourt wins Nationwide Tour Championship and money title >>
McKinney, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Bettencourt birdied the 72nd hole Sunday to earn not just the victory at the Nationwide Tour Championship, but also the money title. Bettencourt shot a two-under 69 on Sunday and won the trophy with a

Clippers top Dallas for first victory >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baron Davis scored a team-high 22 points and added 10 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers earned their first win of the season by defeating the Dallas Mavericks, 103-92, at the Staples Center. Al Thornt

Vikings returner Gordon breaks leg in win over Packers >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Minnesota Vikings kick returner and backup defensive back Charles Gordon broke his left leg in Sunday's 28-27 win over the Green Bay Packers and is expected to be lost for the remainder of the season.

MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)		 5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.