Pacers, Bucks square off in Milwaukee

Basketball Betting Lines

02/11/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams coming off uplifting victories will square off tonight at Milwaukee's Bradley Center, where the injury-plagued Bucks entertain the Indiana Pacers in a Central Division clash.

Despite being without three key players in shooting guard Michael Redd, center Andrew Bogut and point guard Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee still came through with a much-needed 124-112 win over the Houston Rockets Monday at the Bradley Center.

Ramon Sessions stepped up for the shorthanded Bucks with 26 points and seven assists, while Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva each netted 25 points to help Milwaukee halt a two-game losing streak.

Sessions has taken over the point with Ridnour sidelined indefinitely with a broken thumb and is averaging a stellar 27.3 points and 8.0 assists over the last four games, including a career-high 44 in an overtime loss to Detroit last Saturday.

Redd, Milwaukee's leading scorer with an average of 21.2 points per game, is out for the season with a torn ACL. Bogut has sat out 11 of the team's last 13 outings with a stress fracture in his lower back and isn't expected to return anytime soon.

Monday's victory vaulted the Bucks into eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, one half-game in front of New Jersey.

Although the Pacers lurk far behind in the playoff picture, they've posted wins over a pair of division leaders over a recent three-game span. On Tuesday, Indiana downed the powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers with a controversial 96-95 decision at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Danny Granger hit two free throws after being fouled by the Cavs' LeBron James with 0.1 seconds remaining for the winning points as the Pacers ended a string of nine straight losses to Cleveland.

Troy Murphy amassed 18 points and 15 rebounds for Indiana, which defeated Southeast Division leader Orlando this past Friday, while Granger ended with 16 points on the night.

The Pacers are 9-2 in their last 11 home games, but the club has dropped eight in a row away from Conseco Fieldhouse and is a poor 6-21 on the road this season. Indiana has not won as the visitor since a 113-110 victory at Phoenix on January 7.

Indiana has taken eight of its last 10 meetings with the Bucks, however, although Milwaukee defeated the Pacers at the Bradley Center by a 121-103 score back in December.

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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.