Reeling Raptors finish road trip in Portland

Basketball Betting Lines

03/14/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The reeling Toronto Raptors haven't been playing like a team headed toward the postseason and will try and salvage the finale of a four-game road trip Sunday night against the surging Portland Trail Blazers.

The Raptors fell to 0-3 on their trek last night in Oakland when rookie Stephen Curry finished with 35 points and Monta Ellis had 31, as the guards helped the Golden State Warriors end a six-game slide with a 124-112 win over Toronto.

Chris Bosh had 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Jose Calderon ended with 24 points and 12 assists for the Raptors, who have lost four in a row and eight of nine.

Toronto still hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, however, but is just 1 1/2 games in front of Chicago.

The Blazers, meanwhile, won their third straight against Sacramento on Friday. Brandon Roy poured in 28 points and finished 10-of-13 from the field in that one, leading Portland to a 110-94 rout of the Kings.

"I feel like I'm in a really good rhythm, especially in my in-between game," Roy said. "My pull-up jumper feels good. I feel I'm getting more explosive off the bounce where it's tougher for guys to stay in front of me."

LaMarcus Aldridge tacked on 18 points as the Trail Blazers remained in the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race, one game behind both San Antonio and Phoenix and a comfortable 4 1/2 games in front of Memphis.

Andre Miller recorded 15 points in the win, Portland's sixth in seven games. Nicolas Batum had 11 points, while Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless each scored 10.

Portland, which has won six of seven at the Rose Garden against the Raptors, will be trying to sweep the home-and-home season series against Toronto for a second straight season tonight.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.