Heat, Wizards clash in nation's capital
Basketball Betting Lines
01/22/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat will wrap up their season series with the
Southeast Division-rival Washington Wizards Friday from the Verizon Center.
Miami has taken two of the first three meetings between the teams, but had its
six-game winning streak in the series come to an end with a 94-84 setback on
November 27 at AmericanAirlines Arena. Miami has won three straight and 10 of
its last 13 contests in DC.
The Heat have lost two of three games overall and opened a quick road trip
with Wednesday's 104-65 loss at Charlotte. Dwyane Wade and Dorell Wright each
scored 16 points, while Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem both finished with
six in a losing cause.
"The way I look at it, the game and the flow and the stats and the score speak
for itself," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We can say what we want in terms
of being prepared mentally, physically for this game, [but] the way we start
out the game, we have no excuses about it."
Miami is 9-10 away from south Florida this season.
Washington will continue a six-game homestand tonight and had a two-game
winning streak stopped with Wednesday's tough 94-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Shawn Marion blocked Caron Butler's potential game-winning shot in
the final seconds, while Butler ended with 20 points and 10 boards in defeat.
Randy Foye led the Wizards with a season-high 26 points and Brendan Haywood
ended with 13 points and 18 boards for the Wizards, who are 2-1 so far on the
residency and 8-12 in the nation's capital this season.
"To be able to play them that tough -- they make shots, we make shots. Brendan
blocks Dirk's shot and then takes a charge on Dirk -- to fight that hard and
do that much to stay in the game and give ourselves a chance to win it, it
hurts to lose like that," Foye said.
The Wizards will also host the Clippers and Lakers on the homestand.
<< Kings hope to cure road woes in Orlando
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For a Sacramento Kings team that hasn't won away from home
in a month, a visit to Orlando's Amway Arena doesn't bode well for its chances
of ending its recent road woes.
The Magic aim for their second win this month over t
<< Mavs continue road swing in Philly vs. Sixers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks resume a week-long road trip against
Eastern Conference teams when the Southwest Division front-runners make a stop
at the Wachovia Center tonight to take on the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dallas has gone 2-1
<< Ageless Favre leads Vikings into New Orleans
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A long-awaited Super Bowl appearance will be at stake when
the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings, two teams that have endured
their share of heartaches over the years, square off in this Sunday's NFC
Championship Game.
<< NFL gaming: Which two teams will meet in Miami?
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both number one seeds remain in the NFL
playoffs, as Indianapolis hosts the upstart Jets in the AFC Championship Game
while Minnesota travels to New Orleans for the NFC title.
The Colts, who allowed a com
<< Phils finalize deal for Victorino
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies made it official
on Friday and signed outfielder Shane Victorino to a three-year, $22 million
contract extension through the 2012 season.
Victorino had been eligible for salar
K.G. set to return as Celtics host Blazers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The pending return of Kevin Garnett could help the
suddenly-slumping Boston Celtics get back into the win column, as they open a
short homestand tonight versus the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden.
Garnett has missed 10
Surging Bobcats visit Hawks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Unfortunately the Charlotte Bobcats must leave the friendly
confines of home and hit the road from time to time as per the NBA schedule
makers. They will try to keep their unbeaten streak intact tonight in a
showdown on the r
Defensive Devils host Canadiens >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fresh off a strong defensive performance, the New Jersey
Devils will aim for back-to-back wins when they welcome the sliding Montreal
Canadiens for tonight's battle at Prudential Center.
The Devils ended a three-game losin
Avs attempt to win fifth straight in clash with Preds >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche will aim for their first five-game
winning streak since early last season when they welcome the Nashville
Predators for tonight's clash at Pepsi Center.
The Avalanche have tied a season high with fou
Bucks shoot for home-and-home sweep of Raptors >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - This season hasn't gone as hoped for the Milwaukee Bucks so
far, but the club seems to have the Toronto Raptors' number.
Milwaukee will shoot for its third victory over the Raptors in 2009-10, as
well as a sweep of a home-
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
NFL Betting Lines
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
NFL Betting Lines
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
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