Hot Hawks kick off homestand vs. Grizzlies

Basketball Betting Lines

02/02/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks are back home after an impressive road trip and will kick off a four-game residency this evening versus the Memphis Grizzlies.

Hidden in all the hype by the likes of Miami, Chicago and Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks have taken care of business to the tune of a 16-6 record and a first-place tag atop the Southeast Division. The Heat are also 16-6 and share division bragging rights as well.

Atlanta went 4-1 on its recent road trip and return to Philips Arena riding a three-game winning streak and with wins in nine of the last 11 games. The Hawks have also ripped off six straight victories as the host and haven't lost in Atlanta since Jan. 5 versus Miami. They are 8-1 on their own court this season.

In Tuesday's 100-77 victory in Toronto, Joe Johnson tied a season-high with 30 points and Tracy McGrady scored 15 off the bench.

"Joe is the head of the snake with us and our guys understand their roles as far as what their jobs and responsibilities are, they have the open shots, they take their shots," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said about his team's offensive outburst.

Marvin Williams, Zaza Pachulia, and Jeff Teague all netted 10 points for the Hawks, who shot 51 percent for the game and improved to 11-0 when shooting better than 45 percent. The Hawks are 11-1 when Johnson scored 20-plus points.

The Hawks will also take on the 76ers, Suns and Pacers on the homestand.

Memphis will begin a three-game road trip tonight against Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Boston, and is 4-7 away from Beale Street this season. It has dropped three in a row as the visitor.

The Grizzlies put the brakes on a four-game losing streak that followed a season-high seven straight wins with a 100-97 overtime triumph versus Denver on Tuesday.

O.J. Mayo nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with 35.1 seconds remaining in overtime and finished with 18 points, while Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol both recorded double-doubles with 20 points and 13 rebounds to help erase a 12- point hole in the fourth quarter.

"The fact we were able to confront ourselves as a team, and person to person, allowed us to look at the game like, 'Hey, it's only 12 points. We can come back,' said Memphis guard Mike Conley, who had 11 points and six assists.

Memphis is only two games off the pace in the Southwest Division.

The Grizzlies and Hawks are meeting for the only time this season, and Atlanta swept a two-game set from a year ago. The Hawks have won four straight and nine of 10 matchups with Memphis, losers in five straight trips to Philips Arena.

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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.