Celtics, Lakers renew rivalry in Beantown

Basketball Betting Lines

02/09/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pro basketball's most storied rivalry resumes in Beantown on Thursday, when the streaking Boston Celtics aim to complete a perfect five- game homestand versus the despised Los Angeles Lakers.

The Celtics (17) and Lakers (16) have accounted for 33 of the 65 NBA championships. Boston, of course, won its last title in 2007-08, when it disposed of the Lakers in six games during the NBA Finals. LA rebounded from there to win two consecutive crowns, including the '09-10 title at the expense of the C's in seven games.

Neither team has played like a powerhouse so far this season, however, with Boston looking up at Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division and the Lakers playing second fiddle to the Clippers in the Pacific.

The Celtics, however, have come on recently and enter tonight's game on a five-game winning streak, including Tuesday's 94-84 triumph over Charlotte.

Paul Pierce passed Larry Bird for second all-time on Boston's scoring list in that one when he scored 15 points to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds. With 21,797 career points, Pierce now trails only John Havlicek (26,395) in Celtics' lore.

"It was a relief. So much was hanging over me the last couple of days. Just hearing about it and knowing that you've got a game to play," said Pierce about passing Bird. "Just to be mentioned with him, with this organization, is a great honor."

Kevin Garnett led the Celtics against Charlotte with 22 points and Ray Allen chipped in 17. Rajon Rondo added a double-double with 10 points and 14 assists for the Celtics, who have won nine of their last 10.

The Lakers, meanwhile, have fallen to 1-2 on their annual Grammy road trip after Monday's 95-90 setback to the Sixers in South Philly.

Kobe Bryant scored 24 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range in the first half of that one but struggled after intermission. The superstar ended with 28 points and surpassed former teammate Shaquille O'Neal for fifth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Bryant now has 28,601 career points. Wilt Chamberlain currently sits comfortably ahead in fourth place with 31,419 points.

"It's a huge honor," Bryant said of his latest accomplishment. "I've been very fortunate."

Andrew Bynum poured in 20 points and pulled down a game-best 20 rebounds as LA dropped its second straight contest.

"They just came after him immediately," assistant coach John Kuester, who was piloting the Lakers for the suspended Mike Brown, said, "and to Kobe's credit, what he did was try to get everyone involved. We had some great hits. When you are coming down to the end of the game, your margin of error is very small, and you have to take advantage of that. Things just didn't go our way."

Brown will be back on the bench tonight as LA tries to improve on its shaky 3-9 road mark.

LA has won three straight and five of its last six in Beantown during the regular season.

These two teams will meet again in Staples Center on March 11.

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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.