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Celtics take advantage of Lakers' shooting woes for halftime leadBasketball Betting Lines06/17/2010 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Paul Pierce led a balanced scoring attack with 11 points and six rebounds, and the Boston Celtics, despite being badly outrebounded, used their trademark defense to grab a 40-34 halftime lead over the Los Angeles Lakers in the deciding Game 7 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center. Four other players, including Kevin Garnett and starting center Rasheed Wallace, contributed six points apiece for the Celtics, who made two more field goals (15-13) despite giving up 15 more field goal attempts (34-49). In addition, Boston gave up 13 more offensive rebounds (2-15). The Celtics, who are 7-0 all time in championship Game 7s, are looking to become the first road team to win such a contest since the Washington Bullets in 1978. Boston is looking to add to its record 17 championships, and nine of those have already come at the expense of the arch-rival Lakers. Lakers star and reigning Finals MVP Kobe Bryant was a near non-factor in the opening 24 minutes, going a dismal 3-of-14 from the field for eight points. Los Angeles shot 13-of-49 as a team from the field, including 2-of-11 from three-point range and 6-of-12 from the free throw line. The leading scorer for the hosts was Ron Artest with 12 points, although he was just 4-of-9 from the floor. The story in the early moments was Boston's shooting prowess versus Los Angeles' rebounding ability. Without Kendrick Perkins (knee) manning the middle, the Lakers were able to outrebound the Celtics, 10-3, in the first few minutes, but shot a dismal 3-of-15 from the field. Meanwhile, the Celtics made five of their first six shots, including two baskets apiece from starting center Wallace and Rajon Rondo, en route to a 10-7 edge after 4 1/2 minutes of play. Boston went nearly the next three minutes without a point, allowing the Lakers to grab an 11-10 lead on a Derek Fisher jumper, but Ray Allen's first three- point attempt was on the mark, and Garnett followed with a jumper for a 15-11 margin with just under four minutes to go. While Los Angeles continued to struggle from the field, the Celtics slowly increased their lead with help from Glen Davis. Davis, who had no points in 40 combined minutes over Games 5 and 6, added six points in the opening period -- the most of any player -- to help the visitors take a 23-14 advantage to the second quarter. The Lakers, despite 10 more field goal chances in the first 12 minutes, made four fewer shots than the Celtics. In addition, Boston outrebounded Los Angeles, 7-5, for the last 7 1/2 minutes of the quarter. Bryant was a non- factor for the hosts to start, going 1-of-7 from the field for three total points. LA, though, got back into the game quickly in the second quarter, beginning the frame on a 11-0 burst to move in front. Bryant's jumper from the lane began the spurt on the Lakers' first possession, and Artest's layup off an offensive rebound -- Los Angeles' 13th of the game to that point -- gave the Lakers a 25-23 advantage with 7 1/2 minutes until halftime. The Celtics, who missed their first seven shots of the second quarter, finally cracked the scoreboard with a Rondo layup with 7:14 to go, and Garnett put Boston back ahead, 27-25, with a layup just past the midway point. The Lakers continued to hang around due to their rebounding prowess, and an Artest three with just under four minutes left drew the hosts even, 29-29. Boston, as they did in the first quarter, finished strong, scoring nine of the next 11 points. Pierce had five, including a three-pointer from the corner with 1:42 left to give the Celtics a seven-point advantage, 38-31. Tempers got a bit testy shortly thereafter, with Artest and Pierce meeting under the basket after a personal foul on Pierce. Double technicals were issued with 1:22 to go, and Artest made both of his shots from the line to bring the Lakers to within five. LA didn't get closer than four in the final moments, and Pierce's two free throws in the final minute pushed the Boston lead to six at halftime.
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Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship (September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. One of the largest sportsbook sites on the Internet, MySportsbook.com currently lists the top two drivers in the point standings as the early favorites to win the Nextel Cup. Entering the Chase for the Cup with a slim five-point lead in the point standings, 2003 NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth has been made a slight favorite to win his second Cup at 7/2 betting odds. 2001 Cup Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick has betting odds listed at 5/2 and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is listed at 6/1 to capture the Nextel Cup this year. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father who won six NASCAR titles, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands at 8/1 to breakthrough with his first Cup victory. Staying with the family theme, MySportsbook.com lists 2005 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch at 14/1 to succeed big brother Kurt’s 2004 NASCAR title. While Kasey Kahne was the final driver to qualify for the Chase with a third place finish last week, the oddsmakers give him a fighting chance at 10/1 mainly due to several mile-and-a-half tracks remaining on the schedule. Despite going winless on the NASCAR circuit this season, Jeff Burton enters the Chase at 5/1 to capture the Cup title. Meanwhile, rookie Denny Hamlin is 4/1 to win the championship, while veteran driver Mark Martin enters the Chase for the Cup as a 15/1 long shot to win his first NASCAR title in his 24th and final season. MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts US credit cards needs. |
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