Bulls, Pacers square off in Indy

Basketball Betting Lines

02/22/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls aim for their third straight win this afternoon on the road against the Central Division-rival Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Bulls recorded their second straight victory by handing the Denver Nuggets a 116-99 loss on Friday at the United Center. Ben Gordon led the charge with 37 points, while Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas scored 22 and 21 points, respectively, in a winning cause.

Joakim Noah ended with 13 points and seven rebounds for Chicago, which got 10 points, six rebounds and six assists from rookie Derrick Rose. The Bulls' new additions from Thursday's trade, forward Tim Thomas, center Jerome James and guard Anthony Roberson, did not play in the game. Center Brad Miller and forward John Salmons, acquired from Sacramento on Wednesday, also did not see action. James is out with an Achilles' injury, and Miller is questionable with an abdominal strain. Salmons (lower back) is listed as probable.

Indiana, meanwhile, is familiar with the injury bug as leading scorer Danny Granger is out with a torn tendon in the sole of his right foot. Granger is averaging 25.0 points per game this season for the Pacers, who have alternated wins and losses over the past eight games.

In Friday's 112-105 triumph at Minnesota, Marquis Daniels netted 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting to help the Pacers end a 10-game road losing streak. Jarrett Jack scored 18 points and handed out five assists, while Troy Murphy pumped in 16 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

T.J. Ford added 13 points and Brandon Rush 10 for Indiana, which is also toiling without sharp-shooting forward Mike Dunleavy, who is out indefinitely with a right knee injury. Dunleavy also missed the first 34 games of the season with the problem.

The Bulls defeated the Pacers, 104-91, on November 15 this season in the Windy City, and have won 10 of the past 16 meetings. Indiana, however, has won 17 of the previous 20 contests as the host in this series.

Chicago is 10-19 as the guest this season, while Indiana sports a 16-11 mark at Conseco Fieldhouse in 2008-09.

Wmarketwatch Basketball Betting News

<< Rangers return home to take on Maple Leafs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York's recent road woes have attributed to its fall in the Eastern Conference standings. The Rangers hope a return to Madison Square Garden can get them back on track, as they play host tonight to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

<< Blackhawks try to extend win streak to five in test with Wild
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try to stretch their winning streak to five games tonight in a battle with the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. The Blackhawks visited the Dallas Stars last night and left town with a 3-1 v

<< Sliding Bruins close out road trip in Tampa
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Bruins will bring to a close this evening what has been a very disappointing road trip, as they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Pete Times Forum. The Bruins kicked off this five-game trek with a 1-0 loss i

<< Avs hope to continue turnaround and extend dominance over 'Canes
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 2008-09 season has been an up-and-down one for the Colorado Avalanche, but the club has been doing its best to turn things around as of late. Colorado aims for its first four-game winning streak since October when it

<< Ovechkin-led Caps take on Crosby, playoff-hopeful Pens
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While Alexander Ovechkin has the Capitals sitting comfortably ahead in the Southeast Division, Sidney Crosby is trying to get his Penguins back into the playoff picture. Ovechkin and Crosby will write the latest chapter of

Big Ten battle pits Fighting Illini against Buckeyes >>
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Big Ten rivals collide in Columbus today, as the Ohio State Buckeyes play host to the 18th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini. Illinois coach Bruce Weber is hoping his team puts forth a much better offensive show

Surging Badgers come calling on sixth-ranked Spartans >>
East Lansing, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The sixth-ranked Michigan State Spartans continue their quest for the Big Ten regular-season title as they host the red-hot Wisconsin Badgers this afternoon at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Wisconsi

Wake Forest visits Duke in pivotal ACC showdown >>
Durham, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A battle of ACC heavyweights takes place in Durham tonight, as the ninth-ranked Duke Blue Devils host the eighth-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons. With back-to-back victories, Wake Forest has silenced some criti

No. 13 Clemson in Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are underdogs on their home court as the 13th-ranked Clemson Tigers are in town for an ACC clash. Clemson has won two of its last three games to improve to 21-4 overall and 7-4

Wildcats challenge Orange at Carrier Dome >>
Syracuse, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 24th-ranked Syracuse Orange will go for win number 20 today, as they host the 12th-ranked Villanova Wildcats in Big East play at the Carrier Dome. Under legendary head coach Jim Boeheim, Syracuse has poste

Super Bowl 2009 Betting

Super Bowl 2009 Betting propositions

Underdog bettors love the Super Bowl and, history suggests, the underdogs love them back. And the big dogs bite harder.

Even so, there is a warning in store for Super Bowl gamblers who must love dogs: The Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl betting lines might not be enough of a Cinderella to make it worth your while.

Although the Cardinals were widely panned as one of the worst division winners and least playoff-worthy teams in recent memory, their trip to Super Bowl XLIII Jan. 31 in Tampa against the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl betting lines comes with a little more respect from the oddsmakers than you might imagine. They are a 7-point underdog at most sports books.

If you count yourself among those who covet the big dog in the big game, this isn’t exactly great news. You should have been hoping for more points. This is because the facts show that the bigger the dog, the better the bet in the Super Bowl.

Case in point: Over the past 13 seasons, double-figure underdogs in the Super Bowl are 4-0-1 ATS and have won the past three outright. In fact, the last double-digit chalk to do the deed for bettors was the 1995 San Francisco 49ers, who managed to beat the astounding 19-point spot afforded backers of the San Diego Chargers in the 49-26 romp in Super Bowl XXIX.

By contrast, 7-point favorites are 2-1-1 ATS in the same span, the last such contest resulting a cover grinded out by the Colts in their 29-17 win over the Bears two seasons ago in Super Bowl XLI.

In 2004, the Patriots failed to cover the number in their 32-29 triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl props while the Rams and Titans gave everyone a refund in 2000 after the Rams posted a 23-16 win as a seven-point favorite.

So while Arizona’s run has included impressive upsets as a 10-point road underdog to the Carolina Panthers and Sunday’s 32-25 win in the NFC championship game to the 4-point favored Philadelphia Eagles, their long-shot story lacks a bit of the David vs. Goliath storyline of past Super Bowl underdogs.

While the seven-point spread represents a significant gap in the perception of strength between the two teams, it is far from monumental. For example, last season the Giants were the wild-card afterthought turned road-warrior buzzsaw, with stunning wins over the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers to earn their place in the Super Bowl.

There, they played spoiler to New England’s bid to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history and cemented their place in sports betting lore with a 17-14 win as a 12.5-point underdog.

In other words, the Cardinals appear to have their work cut out for them as a mid-range underdog. But in homage to the spread beaters who have come before them, here is a brief look back at recent colossal upsets in the Super Bowl:

SB XLII -- 2008 -- New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 (Giants +12.5) – Eli Manning’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute clinched the historic upset for the Giants, who used a masterful defensive plan to slow down Tom Brady and the previously undefeated New England Patriots.

XXXVI -- 2002 -- Patriots 20, Rams 17 (Patriots +14) – This was the coming out party for the aforementioned Brady, who went from obscure sixth-round draft pick to Super Bowl hero in one fell swoop. He led the game-winning drive in the final minute – eschewing analyst John Madden’s advice to take a knee and play for overtime – leading to Adam Vinatieri’s memorable 48-yard field goal that split the uprights as time expired.

XXXII 1998 Broncos 31, Packers 24 (Denver +12) – The first of John Elway’s two consecutive Super Bowl titles to put an end to his Hall of Fame career was an upset for the ages. The Broncos used the determination of Elway and a 157-yard, three-touchdown performance from Terrell Davis to turn back Brett Favre and the heavily favored Packers.

Get free 2009 Super Bowl Betting from top rated online sportsbook MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online Super Bowl betting VISA Mastercard

Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.