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Celtics host hapless NetsBasketball Betting Lines02/05/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Even without All-Star Paul Pierce the Boston Celtics have a decent shot at posting their 12th straight win over the Atlantic-Division rival New Jersey Nets when the two teams clash tonight at TD Garden. Pierce missed Wednesday's 107-102 win over Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in the opener of a three-game homestand because of a strained left foot suffered in the previous victory at Washington. Pierce is averaging 18.9 points per game this season and is expected to miss tonight's game. He is averaging 22.1 ppg against the Nets. "It's very tough, everybody has to deal with injuries in this league," said Boston All-Star center Kevin Garnett, whose missed plenty of time this season dealing with his own health issues. "We haven't had a lot of practice time, and on top of that we have guys that are injured. It messes with, or plays with the rhythm of your team." The Celtics have won the first two matchups of the season with New Jersey and 11 straight overall. They're riding the longest winning streak in this series since an 11-game run that combined the 1980-81 and 1981-82 campaigns. New Jersey is winless in its last four visits to Beantown. Ray Allen scored 11 of his team-high 23 points in the final quarter in the recent victory for the division-leading Celtics, who have won back-to-back contests after a three-game slide. Garnett tallied 14 points and nine rebounds, while Kendrick Perkins scored 13 points in a winning cause. Boston will also host Orlando and is 14-8 at home this season. Allen, meanwhile, is closing in on Mitch Richmond for 31st place on the all-time scoring list. New Jersey will resume its four-game road trip Friday and suffered its fourth straight defeat in the opener of the trek on Wednesday at Toronto. In the 108-99 decision, Yi Jianlian and Devin Harris paced six players in double- figures with 15 points apiece, although New Jersey fell to a dismal 4-44 on the season. The Nets are still equal after 48 games with the 1972-73 76ers, who hold the record for fewest wins in an 82-game season with nine. "Our second unit gave us a big lift," said Nets head coach Kiki Vandeweghe. "That has to be our energy group, and they gave us a good shot. They played well, and it's something to build on." Courtney Lee had 14 points and Kris Humphries tallied 13 and 11 rebounds, as the Nets dropped to a lowly 1-24 away from the Meadowlands this season. Humphries is averaging 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 10 games with the Nets after averaging 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 25 games with Dallas. Brook Lopez, the only player in the NBA to average at least 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks, netted 12 points against the Raptors. The Nets will also visit Detroit and Cleveland on the current road swing.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTINGNCAA Football BettingMany fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.) "To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good." Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida. Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October. USC Trojans - 10.5 wins A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention. Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2 "There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach." Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1 The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1 If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J. Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines . |
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