12/03/2008 - Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One of the premier matchups of the early season takes place in Detroit this evening, as the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels meet up with the 13th-ranked Michigan State Spartans as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Roy Williams' Tar Heels have certainly looked worthy of their lofty ranking, having won all seven of their games thus far, despite missing National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough for several games. The team was without its star forward last time out, but he wasn't needed in a 116-48 thrashing of UNC- Asheville. The margin of victory was the largest for UNC in the Williams' era.
Michigan State has won two straight games since suffering its only loss of the season (80-62 against Maryland). Since then, Tom Izzo's team has responded with wins over Oklahoma State (94-79) and Wichita State (65-57) to close out play in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando last weekend.
This is the 11th all-time meeting between these two teams on the hardwood, with North Carolina holding a 7-3 series advantage. However, the Tar Heels are 0-2 against the Spartans in this event.
Hansbrough was held out of the UNC-Asheville game for precautionary reasons, as the long trip to the South Pacific and a couple of physical games for Hansbrough, made it necessary to keep him on the bench against the obviously undermanned Bulldogs. The decision was certainly a correct one, as UNC shot a sizzling 57.1 percent from the floor overall, including 51.9 percent from behind the arc (14-of-27) en route to the lopsided win. Ty Lawson led the way with 22 points and eight assists. All four of the other starters scored in double figures as well, with Danny Green netting 18 points, followed by Deon Thompson (17 pts), Ed Davis (13 pts) and Wayne Ellington (13 pts). Davis, a freshman, recorded a double-double in the win with 10 rebounds. Hansbrough is the leader of this team and despite having played in just three games thus far, is averaging 21.0 ppg. Lawson has been ultra-productive at the point, averaging 16.0 ppg, while doling out 6.4 apg. Thompson is next in the scoring column at 15.6 ppg, while pacing the team in rebounding (8.0 rpg). Green and Ellington finish off the top scoring threats at 14.6 and 13.4 ppg, respectively.
The Spartans will not shy away from running with the Tar Heels, as they have proven to be a strong offensive team, averaging almost 80 points per game thus far, on nearly 50 percent shooting (.496). The scoring depth however, is not as vast as UNC's, with Raymar Morgan (17.0 ppg) and Kalin Lucas (11.6 ppg) representing the only double-digit averages on the MSU roster. Still, there are three players averaging eight or more points per game in Chris Allen (8.4 ppg), Durrell Summers (8.4 ppg) and Travis Walton (8.0 ppg). The Spartans have shown the ability to win games at both ends of the floor this year. After netting 94 points in a shootout victory over Oklahoma State last Friday, the team posted a 65-47 decision over Wichita State, with the 47 points allowed, being a season-low for the Spartans. MSU, which trailed by four points at the half against the Shockers, connected on 54.2 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes to earn the victory. Marquise Gray led the way for the Spartans with 12 points and eight rebounds. Summers added 11 points and six boards, while Lucas chipped in with 10 points and five assists. The Spartans abused Wichita State on the glass (42-24), forcing the Shockers into 15 turnovers and holding their foe to a mere 38.0 percent shooting performance.
<< Dukes challenge Panthers in clash of Steel City rivals
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers seek
their eighth straight win to begin the 2008-09 season, when they welcome local
rival Duquesne to the Petersen Events Center this evening for non-conference
action.
<< Tigers standing in way of 7-0 start for Musketeers
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-ranked Xavier Musketeers resume
their three-game homestand tonight, as they welcome the Auburn Tigers to the
Cintas Center for a non-league affair.
The Musketeers kicked of their home swing on Satur
<< No. 10 Tennessee hosts UNC-Asheville
Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 10th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers are
heavy favorites in tonight's non-conference home clash with the UNC-Asheville
Bulldogs.
UNC-Asheville opened the season with three straight victories, all by double
f
<< Orange put perfect record on line versus Big Red
Syracuse, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 16th-ranked Syracuse Orange welcome the
Cornell Big Red to the Carrier Dome for a non-conference battle.
Cornell, a member of the Ivy League, carries a 4-3 overall record into this
tilt. The most recent ou
Clippers wrap up Texas two-step in Houston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angles Clippers finish a quick two-day swing of
Texas Wednesday when they face the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
The Clips lost a tough one in Dallas on Tuesday when Jose Barea's three-
pointer with
Suns pay a visit to New Orleans >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Suns open a short two-game road swing Wednesday
when they arrive in the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Hornets.
The Suns lost their second straight game Sunday when New Jersey's Devin Harris
poured in a c
Bulls head to Milwaukee to face Bucks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls aim to bounce back from a tough loss on
Tuesday when they make the short trip to Milwaukee to take on the reeling
Bucks at the Bradley Center.
Philadelphia's Andre Miller missed the game-wi
Pacers face another tough test in Boston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Indiana Pacers aim to complete am impressive back-to-
back sweep of the NBA's two best teams Wednesday when the club arrives in
Beantown to take on the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth
Garden.
Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back
With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.
"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."
Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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