Rockets lose out on Artest but nab Ariza
Basketball Betting Lines
07/02/2009 -
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Just moments after losing out to the Lakers for
the services of forward Ron Artest, the Rockets have reportedly come to an
agreement with Trevor Ariza, who was a key part of Los Angeles' championship
run this season.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Ariza accepted the Rockets' offer of the
mid-level exception, which will probably end up being a yearly salary of just
under $6 million.
Ariza, who helped oust the Rockets in seven games in last season's thrilling
Western Conference semifinal matchup, averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds for
the Lakers last season but increased his scoring average to 11.3 points in 23
contests in the postseason, when LA won the title in five games over Orlando.
The 24-year-old Ariza will most likely serve the same role Artest did in his
lone season with Houston and brings career averages of 6.9 points and 3.8
rebounds to the Rockets after spending parts of five seasons with the Knicks,
Magic and Lakers.
<< Artest joining Lakers
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Free agent forward Ron Artest is
leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers and will provide
the team with more offensive firepower next season, as he'll join Kobe Bryant
and Pau
<< Buehrle, ChiSox stop Royals
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mark Buehrle took a shutout into the ninth
inning, as the Chicago White Sox extended their season-high win streak to six
games with a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Buehrle (8-2) allowed a run on
<< Lee homers twice as Cubs down Brewers
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Derrek Lee headlined a home run parade with two
long-balls -- a three-run shot and a grand slam -- for a career-high seven
RBI, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 9-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the
beginni
<< Stockton and Gates lead Edmonton Open
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brady Stockton and Robert Gates both fired
rounds of seven-under 65 on Thursday to share the first-round lead of the
Edmonton Open.
Liam Kendregan and Jon Turcott both shot 66s in round one and ar
<< Mayfield a no-show at Daytona
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sprint Cup Series driver and team owner
Jeremy Mayfield was not present at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday,
one day after a federal judge granted him a temporary injunction to race
again,
Kings reach agreement on four-year deal with Scuderi >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Kings have reached an
agreement on a four-year contract with former Penguins blueliner Rob Scuderi.
Scuderi was a key cog in helping Pittsburgh claim its third Stanley Cup title
in t
NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees announced >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - NASCAR on Thursday revealed the 25 nominees
for the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame induction class. Nominees included
pioneers, former champions and driver-turned-team owners of the sport.
A 21-member committe
Mariners end Yankees' seven-game win streak >>
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Russell Branyan belted a two-run homer and the
Mariners pounded CC Sabathia early on the way to an 8-4 win, ending New
York's winning streak at seven contests.
Franklin Gutierrez had three hits, inclu
Abreu homers twice in Angels' win over O's >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bobby Abreu hit a pair of homers, accounting
for four runs batted in, and John Lackey threw eight strong innings, as the
Angels beat Baltimore, 5-2, in the opener of a four-game series.
Chone Figgins had
Ray carries Eskimos over Bombers; Lumsden hurts shoulder >>
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ricky Ray went 29-for-41 passing for 318 yards
and a touchdown, as the Edmonton Eskimos edged the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,
19-17, in the teams' season-opener.
Edmonton took the win after Winnipeg kicker
MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.
Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.
According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).
Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.
Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.
''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''
Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.
”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.
For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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