Durant powers Thunder over Warriors

Basketball Betting Lines

01/28/2012 - Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Durant's double-double of a season-high 37 points and 14 rebounds powered the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors Friday night.

Russell Westbrook had a terrific all-around game with 28 points, 11 assists and seven steals for the Thunder, who own an NBA-best 16-3 record. Serge Ibaka also posted a double-double with a season-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, while James Harden contributed 19 points off the bench.

"Serge was big, the offensive rebounds and his baskets around the paint," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "He can guard small guys. That's the advantage that we do have. When we want to go with our big lineup, Serge can step out and guard smaller players because of his athletic ability and length he can cover three-point shooters."

Dorell Wright drained six shots from beyond the arc en route to a season-high 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Golden State, which has dropped four of its last five games. David Lee scored 19 points in defeat.

With 8:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Klay Thompson's turnaround jumper trimmed the Warriors' deficit to 88-85. But Oklahoma City responded with a 12-1 surge, and Nick Collison completed a three-point play at the foul line to put the visitors up 111-96 with just over two minutes left.

"[The Thunder] scored 28 points in the last 5 1/2 minutes basically," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. "They have a different motor. They're a different animal. We have to learn how to do that. We don't have the luxury to be able to turn it on when we want to. It's a good lesson for us."

Oklahoma City led by as many as 10 in the first quarter, but Golden State pulled even at 50 on a Monta Ellis free throw with 1:57 to play in the opening half. However, the Thunder closed out the second stanza on a 7-2 run, giving them the same five-point lead they owned after 12 minutes.

In the third quarter, Ellis hit a driving layup to draw the Warriors within one at 65-64. Oklahoma City, though, carried an 85-77 lead into the final frame.

Game Notes

Oklahoma City notched a season-high in points...Durant and Westbrook each committed seven of the Thunder's 22 turnovers...Stephen Curry had 15 points and six assists for Golden State, while Ellis added 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting...The Thunder snapped a two-game losing streak in Oakland...Oklahoma City held a 53-34 rebounding advantage and made 32 free throws to Golden State's 15...The Warriors shot 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from three-point range.

Casino-online-wagering Basketball Betting News

<< Aldridge shines as Trail Blazers dominate Suns
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points, and Portland dominated the middle two quarters in a 109-71 rout of the Phoenix Suns. Gerald Wallace tallied 17 points, Wesley Matthews 16 and Nicolas Batum 14 fo

<< Fernandez leads Nuggets over Raptors
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rudy Fernandez poured in 23 points to lead four teammates in double-figures as the Denver Nuggets topped the Toronto Raptors, 96-81 at Pepsi Center. Danilo Gallinari dropped in 21 points and pulled down sev

<< No. 5 Duke routs Clemson
Clemson, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tricia Liston had 16 points. leading No. 5 Duke to a dominant 81-37 win over Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum. Elizabeth Williams added 14 points, five rebounds, and five blocks and Richa Jackson scored 13 poin

<< Pierce powers Celtics to 4th straight win
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Temporarily, the Celtics may not have Rajon Rondo or Ray Allen in the lineup, but they still have Paul Pierce. As the Pacers cut Boston's lead to two in the third quarter, Pierce put the team on his ba

<< Love, T'Wolves top Spurs
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Suddenly, Kevin Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves have the San Antonio Spurs' number. Love had 18 points and 16 rebounds Friday night and the Timberwolves scored the final 10 points of the game

Azarenka wins Australian Open women's title >>
Melbourne, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Victoria Azarenka became a first-time Grand Slam titlist Saturday with a convincing straight-set victory over Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open women's final. The third-seeded Azarenka downed Shar

Coastal Carolina's Norman playing in Senior Bowl >>
Mobile, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coastal Carolina cornerback Josh Norman will play in Saturday's Senior Bowl - the fifth FCS player named to the college football all-star game. Coming off a recent appearance in the East-West Shrine Game, Norman

UC Davis set for first Big Sky season >>
Davis, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - UC Davis football is set to enter a new era in 2012 with eight Big Sky Conference games as well as a visit to San Jose State as part of an 11-game schedule. The Aggies are joining the Big Sky from the Great West

Historical games part of Maine's 2012 schedule >>
Orono, ME (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Maine football's 2012 schedule includes the 100th game against rival New Hampshire and a trip to Boston College for the 1,000th official game in program history. Coach Jack Cosgrove's Black Bears are coming off a

Bryans dethroned in Aussie doubles final >>
Melbourne, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek ended the three-year Australian Open reign of Bob and Mike Bryan on Saturday, beating the top-ranked twin brothers in the men's doubles final. Paes and Stepanek

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.