11/21/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers begin a quick two-game road trip Friday when they face the Sacramento Kings in Arco Arena.
Brandon Roy scored 20 points and Greg Oden had a successful regular season home debut, as the Blazers dominated the Chicago Bulls to the tune of 116-74 Wednesday at the Rose Garden.
The game marked the first meeting between the top pick in the 2008 and 2007 drafts. Oden, who was playing his first regular season home game one year and 144 days after he was picked in 2007, scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 17 1/2 minutes of action. Chicago's Derrick Rose was picked first in the most recent draft and shot just 1-of-8 for six points on the night.
Oden, who sat out his first season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee, received a standing ovation as he entered the game off the bench in the first quarter.
Joel Przybilla added 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots for the Blazers, who have won six of eight. LaMarcus Aldridge posted 11 points in the victory.
The Kings were also successful in their last game as John Salmons led five Sacramento players in double figures with 29 points and six assists in the team's 105-96 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in the Big Easy on Wednesday.
Salmons hit a solid 13-of-18 from the floor for the Kings, who snapped a three-game skid as they continue to play without star guard Kevin Martin. Donte Greene, in his first career start, notched 15 points, and Beno Udrih chipped in 14 points and seven assists in the impressive victory.
Brad Miller added 14 points and eight boards for Sacramento, while Bobby Jackson came off the bench to score all eight of his points in the critical fourth quarter.
Martin has missed the past six games for Sacramento with an ankle injury and will be sidelined again tonight. Also, forward Mikki Moore is questionable with a sprained right ankle.
The Kings have won three straight over Portland and four of the last five contests between the two teams.
<< Mavs try for first home win vs. Memphis
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Mavericks have shown a pulse on the road this season
and will now attempt to win for the first time in Dallas as they welcome the
Memphis Grizzlies to American Airlines Center.
Something has to give tonight as
<< Brand faces old mates as Clips visit Sixers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Elton Brand and the Philadelphia 76ers will try to shake
off a disappointing loss when they open a short two-game homestand tonight
versus the Los Angeles Clippers at the Wachovia Center.
Philadelphia entered Wednesday's g
<< Nets visit Raptors
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Raptors are back up north and will kick off a
four-game homestand tonight versus the Atlantic Division-rival New Jersey Nets
at Air Canada Centre.
Toronto will also welcome Boston, Charlotte and Atlanta to town
<< Streaking Magic meet Pacers in Indy
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Orlando Magic will shoot for a season high five
straight wins tonight, when they pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers at Conseco
Fieldhouse.
Orlando has won four in a row and eight of its last nine games, including
Tuesd
Trojans seek redemption in clash with Mocs >>
San Juan, PR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 19th-ranked USC Trojans and the
Chattanooga Mocs are set to collide in the second round of the Puerto Rico
Tip-Off in San Juan.
USC led Seton Hall by 15 points at intermission last night and appeared heade
Akron seeks upset of No. 6 Pittsburgh >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Upset-minded Akron has traveled to
Pittsburgh for a non-conference clash with the sixth-ranked Panthers in the
Legends Classic.
The Zips have reason to be confident, as they have opened the season with
back
Pirates hope to tame Tigers in Puerto Rico >>
San Juan, PR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 13th-ranked Memphis Tigers of Conference
USA and the Seton Hall Pirates of the Big East Conference are set to clash in
the second round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Memphis, which was the national runner-up
Irish head to Los Angeles to tame Lions >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The eighth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish
hit the road for the first time this season, as they take on the Loyola
Marymount Lions in the Gersten Pavilion this evening.
This will be Notre Dame's first trip
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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