Call of the wild: Wolves, Grizzlies clash in Memphis
Basketball Betting Lines
02/08/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The much-improved Timberwolves will aim to win for the second time in as many nights without All-Star Kevin Love when they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis tonight.
Love, who leads the Wolves in both scoring (25.0 ppg) and rebounding (13.7), missed Tuesday's 86-84 win over Sacramento after being suspended two games for stomping on Houston's Luis Scola during the third quarter of Saturday's 100-91 win.
Nikola Pekovic stepped up in Love's absence, recording a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead Minnesota as it defeated Sacramento, 86-84, at Target Center.
"Every time out there he brings out new moves," said Minnesota's Derrick Williams about Pekovic's game. "I think he's the strongest player in the NBA. He's quick off his feet, too. He's really agile and just quick. He's one of a kind with his strength."
Michael Beasley added his own double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Wolves, who have now won three straight overall. Williams, starting in place of Love, added 14 points and pulled down eight boards.
Minnesota hasn't won four consecutive contests since Jan. 29-Feb. 6, 2010.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have dropped three straight, including the opener of a five-game homestand to San Antonio on Monday.
Marc Gasol had 22 points and nine rebounds while Mike Conley finished with 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the 89-84 setback for Memphis, which is now 7-4 at FedEx Forum and will finish its residency with games against Indiana, Utah and Houston.
"We made some shots and got some stops. Then in the fourth quarter, we just couldn't make a shot anymore. They (Spurs) were hurting us in the pick-and- roll and just kept getting what they needed. It was a close game. We just couldn't get the stop and when we got the ball, we just couldn't finish on the offensive end," Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins said.
The Grizzlies have won four straight on Beale Street over Minnesota and eight of nine overall, including a 90-86 win in the Twin Cities back on Jan. 4. Memphis is unbeaten in its last five contests in this series.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Linsanity has officially hit New York. Tonight Jeremy Lin tries to continue his amazing play when the New York Knicks go after a third straight win against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center. After netting
<< Bulls hope to have Rose in New Orleans
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The best from the NBA's Eastern Conference meets the worst
from the West when the Chicago Bulls resume their grueling nine-game road trip
against the lowly Hornets in New Orleans.
The Bulls won their third straight con
<< Pistons and Nets kick off home-and-home set in Jersey
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Only one of Detroit's six wins this season has come on the
road and the Pistons would like to change that as early as tonight, when they
pay a visit to the New Jersey Nets in the opener of a home-and-home set.
The Pistons
<< Blue Jackets sign Prospal for another season
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets signed veteran
forward Vinny Prospal to a one-year contract extension on Wednesday.
Prospal, who turns 37 later this month, leads the team with 24 assists and
ranks second w
<< Heat and Magic battle for Sunshine State bragging rights
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Since their heart-to-heart meeting among players and
coaches following a loss at Milwaukee last week, the Miami Heat haven't
suffered defeat and hope to continue that trend tonight against the Orlando
Magic in the opener of a
Orangeburg, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - First-ever games at Arizona and Texas A&M are part of a rugged opening month of the 2012 South Carolina State football schedule announced Wednesday. Coach Buddy Pough's team will play only four home game
Portland tries to bounce back at home vs. Rockets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portland will seek to rebound from a rare loss in Rip City
when it hosts the Houston Rockets at the Rose Garden tonight.
Russell Westbrook blocked Nicolas Batum's drive to the hoop in the closing
seconds of regulatio
Pacers seek another road win in Atlanta >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Indiana Pacers target their fourth straight win on the
road when they take on the Atlanta Hawks tonight at Philips Arena.
Indiana is 10-5 as the visitor this season and will also visit Memphis on its
quick two-game roa
Isles reward Nielsen with 4-year extension >>
Uniondale, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Islanders offically signed
center Frans Nielsen to a four-year contract extension on Wednesday.
No financial terms were disclosed, but multiple outlets reported it is worth
$11 million.
Dartmouth going prime time again >>
Hanover, NH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dartmouth College football is drawing off the
success of the first night game at Memorial Field last season with its 2012
opener against Butler.
The Big Green will host the Bulldogs from the Pioneer Football Le
Elite 8 NCAA Tournament Betting at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
In what should be an outstanding Saturday of March Madness betting action, the top four teams in the South and West Regions square off in what should be extremely close match-ups. Three of the four teams are coming off extremely close games on Thursday evening, only UCLA won semi comfortably over Pitt 64-55.
Ohio State is coming off their second game in a row where in all reality they should have lost. Of course that doesn’t matter now since the name of the game is “survive and advance” but as the tournament continues, they can’t afford to keep getting down to their opponents early. Kansas also avoided a scare by holding off a scrappy Southern Illinois squad. In the third thrilling game of the evening Memphis pulled off the minor upset (+3.5) despite being the higher seed to Texas A&M.
Although the spreads are fairly small for Saturday’s games, MySportsbook.com continue to bet against the underdogs. Despite OSU’s two scares, 86% of the “betting public” feels the Buckeyes (-1.5) have what it takes to make the Final Four. In fact, so much of the early money is on OSU that the line has already moved from -1 to -1.5. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas and their high-powered offense are 2 point favorites as they take on UCLA and their effective defense. About 63% of the early money thus far is once again backing the favorites. If those percentages stay that high, don’t be surprised if this line moves as well. If you like Kansas (-2) you might want to jump on it early.
Memphis vs. Ohio State
Both squads were involved in thrillers on Thursday evening and should come out fired up. OSU can ill afford to get behind early like they did versus their previous two opponents (Xavier, Tennessee). Greg Oden needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Buckeyes are a completely different team when he is on the court. Memphis definitely has the athleticism and length to match-up with OSU. Of Memphis’ five leading minute earners, the shortest of the bunch is 6’5”. Each team has a very effective defense; Memphis surrenders 62.3 PPG whereas the Buckeyes give up only 61 PPG. With those type of numbers, it isn’t surprising that Memphis covered the UNDER almost 69% of the time this season. As a favorite, OSU has covered the UNDER almost 66% of the time over the last three seasons. The major concern for Memphis which is magnifies this time of the year is their brutal foul shooting (62%). This season, OSU is 17-11 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in all tournament games. Memphis has been an extremely reliable cover in tournament play in recent years with a 23-8 ATS record over the last three seasons.
UCLA vs. Kansas
In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, UCLA will play in a role which they are very unfamiliar with that of the underdog. Only twice this season have they been getting points from the handicappers and both times they covered. Over the last three seasons UCLA is a reliable 23-7 ATS in this unfamiliar role. UCLA has not fared well against Big 12 opponents recently going 1-7 ATS since 1997. Giving up only 59.6 PPG, UCLA will definitely look to do what they do best: keep this game as low scoring as possible. Their defense has been especially tough during the tournament. UCLA opponents have been able to muster up only 48.7 PPG while shooting a combined 34.5% from the field. UCLA definitely has a challenge at hand with a Kansas team that is capable of putting points on the board in bunches. As a team, they average 79 PPG and shoot an impressive 49.6% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. During the tournament Kansas has been “lights out” from the field having shot 56.2%.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards