Pacers, Bulls clash at Conseco Fieldhouse

Basketball Betting Lines

02/09/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A Chicago Bulls squad that's struggled on the road for much of this season will try to turn around its historic lack of success at Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse in tonight's Central Division clash with the Indiana Pacers.

Chicago is just 9-17 as the visitor thus far in 2009-10 and has dropped its last two tests away from home, although the club did string together five straight road wins from January 22-29. The Bulls have been worse when traveling to Indiana over the years, earning just three victories in its last 22 tries as the guest in this series.

Since Conseco Fieldhouse opened in 1999, Chicago has gone just 3-17 in road games against the Pacers, including defeats in both meetings between the teams held in Indianapolis last season.

The Bulls did deal Indiana a 104-95 setback in the Windy City back on December 29, though, and halted a three-game losing streak with Saturday's 95-91 home triumph over Miami.

"It was a big win," said forward Luol Deng, who led Chicago with 25 points. "Every time you have a losing streak you just want to put an end to it."

Chicago prevailed over the Heat by getting to the free throw line and hitting those shots. The Bulls had a season-high 35 attempts from the charity stripe and converted 28 of them.

Deng went 9-of-11 from the foul line and Derrick Rose, who scored 24 points in the win, made 6-of-8 free-throw shots.

John Salmons chipped in 15 points for Chicago and Brad Miller notched 13 points, eight rebounds and five steals to help off offset the absence of fellow bigs Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas. Noah is expected to remain sidelined until after the All-Star break with plantar fasciitis in his foot, while Thomas was suspended by the Bulls for Saturday's contest for conduct detrimental to the team.

Thomas, averaging 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in a reserve role this season, is expected to play tonight.

Indiana had posted back-to-back home wins over Toronto and Detroit to begin February, but couldn't keep up the momentum in Saturday's trip to rival Milwaukee. The Pacers dropped a 93-81 decision to the Bucks after being outrebounded by a 43-33 margin and committing 19 turnovers that led to 25 points by their opponent.

"They hurt us on the boards," remarked Pacers center Roy Hibbert. "That has to be my responsibility to keep the big guys off the offensive glass."

Hibbert collected just four rebounds in addition to scoring 10 points, while leading scorer Danny Granger managed 14 points -- eight under his season average -- on 5-of-14 shooting. T.J. Ford topped the Pacers with 20 points off the bench.

Ford saw the majority of minutes at point guard with regular starter Earl Watson missing a second straight game due to a personal matter. The well- traveled veteran will likely be back in the lineup for this evening's matchup, however.

Indiana has also played its last two tilts without reserve guard Luther Head, who remains day-to-day with a viral infection.

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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.