Clippers resume road trip in Orlando
Basketball Betting Lines
02/06/2012 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A possible trade destination for Dwight Howard is Los
Angeles with the revamped Clippers. For now, however, Howard is still property
of the Orlando Magic, who will open a three-game homestand tonight versus
the Clippers at Amway Center.
Howard, the subject of trade rumors during this compressed season, and the
Magic will also host the Southeast Division-rival Heat and Hawks on the
homestand and are slated to play six of the next seven games in central
Florida. Orlando is 8-4 as the host and is coming off of Saturday's 85-81 win
in Indiana behind Howard's 27 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two
blocks. Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson had 17 and 12 points, respectively,
for the Magic, who are unbeaten (3-0) since losing four straight.
"Both teams played really, really hard. When you have these kinds of schedules
in the league you're going to have some games like that," Magic coach Stan Van
Gundy said. "It was our ninth game in 13 days and their ninth in 14. Basically
nobody could make a shot and there were 41 turnovers in the game."
The Magic played without Jameer Nelson for the fifth straight game. He is
listed day-to-day with concussion-like symptoms and hasn't played since a loss
at New Orleans on Jan. 27. Orlando forward Glen Davis is eligible to return
from a two-game suspension Monday because of conduct detrimental to the team.
Magic forward Quentin Richardson was ejected from Saturday's game following an
altercation in the third quarter. Richardson, who had eight points in less
than 14 minutes, came face-to-face with, and then shoved Pacers forward Danny
Granger in front of the Orlando bench during a stoppage in play.
Orlando made 9-of-25 three-pointers against the Pacers and is shooting .386
(226-586) from beyond the arc this season.
Los Angeles will continue its 11-day, six-game road trip tonight and opened
the trek with Saturday's 107-81 blasting of the Washington Wizards.
Blake Griffin recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while DeAndre
Jordan added 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Clippers, who are
1 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers for the Pacific Division lead and won for the
fifth time in six games. Chris Paul had two points and seven assists, and has
been clicking with Griffin and the rest of the Clippers.
"It's getting better and better," Griffin said of his chemistry with Paul. "No
one ever comes in an just clicks like that right away. We knew it was going to
take time. We weathered the storm, so to speak. I think now we're starting to
pick it up a little bit."
Mo Williams had 17 points and eight assists, Caron Butler scored 14 and
Chauncey Billups added 12 points in a winning effort. Butler was facing his
former Wizards teams since he was traded to Dallas in 2010. Los Angeles will
also visit the Cavs, Sixers, Bobcats and Mavs on the trek and is 4-4 on the
road as opposed to a 10-3 home ledger.
The Clippers are 5-1 against the East this season and could unveil new
addition Kenyon Martin tonight. Martin was signed on Friday and played for the
Xinjiang Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout.
He was contractually obligated to wait until the end of the Tigers' season
before returning to the NBA. Martin was cleared to play by FIBA, basketball's
international governing body, on Thursday and averaged 8.6 points and 6.2
rebounds in 48 games last season with the Denver Nuggets.
"Kenyon is the ultimate competitor and a key acquisition," stated club vice
president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. "We expect that he will
provide additional experience, passion and professionalism, as well as some
important depth to our front court."
Los Angeles lost both meetings with Orlando a season ago and is winless in the
last nine matchups between the two teams. The Clippers have lost five straight
at Orlando. Howard is averaging 18.4 points and 13.1 rebounds in 14 career
games against the Clippers. Paul has faced the Magic eight times in his
career, posting 18.0 points and 8.5 assists in that time.
<< Pachuca erases three-goal deficit to stun Toluca
Toluca, Mexico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mauro Cejas converted a penalty kick in the
90th minute as Pachuca rallied from three goals behind to stun Toluca, 4-3, on
Sunday in Mexico's Clausura.
Toluca built a three-goal lead after 17 minutes on an
<< Howard-less Red Wings aim for win in Phoenix
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Not having their starting goaltender over the weekend did
little to help Detroit shake off its road issues. However, a trip to Phoenix
just might do the trick.
The Red Wings look to record a sweep of their season series wi
<< Flames try for rare win in Anaheim
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Calgary Flames took care of business at home on Friday
before hitting the road for a few games. The task gets a little daunting right
off the bat tonight as they aim for their first victory against the Ducks at
Anaheim in
<< Thunder invade Portland's Rose Garden
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The West's best faces a tough test tonight as Oklahoma City
resumes a five-game road trip against a Portland team that has been dominant
in Rip City.
The Thunder are an NBA-best 18-5 despite losing the opener of their
<< Nuggets target a win vs. visiting Rockets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The suddenly shaky Denver Nuggets will try to avoid a
season-high third straight loss tonight when they welcome the Houston Rockets
to Pepsi Center.
The Nuggets, who are opening up a three-game homestand, have dro
Kobe leads Lakers into Philadelphia >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The superstars keep rolling into South Philly and Los
Angeles Lakers stud Kobe Bryant is next on the A-list when he leads his team
against the 76ers tonight from Wells Fargo Center.
Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, LeBron Jame
Bulls continue lengthy road trip vs. Nets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of a nine-game road trip
and will continue the lengthy trek tonight against the New Jersey Nets.
Chicago improved to 3-2 thus far on the road swing following Saturday's 113-90
victory at
Hawks hope to get healthy vs. Suns >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Known to be a formidable foe on their own court, the
Atlanta Hawks have stumbled a bit during a four-game homestand and look to
restore order at Philips Arena tonight versus the Phoenix Suns.
The Hawks have lost the first
Stoudemire deals with tragedy as Knicks host Jazz >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Utah Jazz haven't fared so well lately in the Big Apple
and hope to reverse those fortunes tonight against a shorthanded New York
Knicks team at historic Madison Square Garden.
Amare Stoudemire will miss tonight's game
Raptors seek another win over Wizards >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards meet for the
second time in four nights this evening, as the two teams do battle at the
Verizon Center this evening.
These two bottom feeders met on Friday in Toronto and Leandro
Big East Conference odds
Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence
Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.
Work left to do:
Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.
Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.
DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...
West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.
Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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