NBA's best meets worst as Cavs host Nets

Basketball Betting Lines

02/09/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The teams with the best and worst records in the NBA this season will go head-to-head at Quicken Loans Arena tonight, where the powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers put an 11-game win streak on the line against the downtrodden New Jersey Nets.

Cleveland's current surge, tied with Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers for the longest string of consecutive wins in the league in 2009-10, has given the championship hopefuls a 41-11 record for the season and a comfortable six-game advantage over Southeast Division leader Orlando for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs have a 1 1/2-game edge on the Lakers for the best mark in the NBA.

The Cavaliers kept up their winning ways with Saturday's 113-106 home verdict over the New York Knicks, with LeBron James once again leading the way. The reigning league MVP established a franchise-best with 35 first-half points to help Cleveland build a commanding 74-54 lead at intermission, and finished with 47 along with eight rebounds and eight assists.

"I was able to shoot the ball extremely well, but still get my teammates involved," said James, who was named the Eastern Conference's Player of the Week on Monday. "When I'm on fire, I can go for a lot of points, but getting my teammates involved is good for us in the long run."

Shaquille O'Neal chipped in 19 points and Anthony Parker scored 11 for the Cavaliers, who continue to win despite injuries to two key members in Mo Williams and Delonte West.

West, who missed the last eight games due to a broken ring finger, did practice without incident on Monday and could be back in the lineup for tonight's matchup. Williams, who's second to James among Cleveland players in scoring (16.9 ppg) and assists (5.1 apg), hasn't played since January 19 because of a sprained left shoulder and is sidelined indefinitely.

The Cavs will be shooting for a 10th straight home victory tonight and are an NBA-best 22-3 at Quicken Loans Arena this season. In contrast, New Jersey is a woeful 1-26 on the road and has dropped 14 in a row since its lone triumph as the visitor, a 103-101 decision over Chicago on December 8.

The 4-46 Nets have also lost six straight games overall and 17 of its last 18 contests following Saturday's 99-92 defeat at Detroit. The team's latest loss was further marred by an injury to top player Devin Harris, who had to be helped off the court after colliding with teammate Jarvis Hayes in the game's final minute.

Harris, who put up a team-best 21 points and seven assists in the loss, was diagnosed with a sprained left shoulder and will be a game-time decision this evening. The 26-year-old missed nearly two weeks with a similar ailment last season.

This is my third sprained AC joint, so I just know how to brace it to make it feel better," Harris said after the game. "It's not as bad as the one I had last year."

Hayes bruised his left shin as a result of the incident and is expected to play tonight.

The Nets will be attempting to stop a stretch of six straight losses to the Cavaliers, with three of those defeats having taken place in Cleveland. The Cavs topped New Jersey by a 99-89 score at Quicken Loans Arena back on December 15.

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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.