Thunder down Blazers in OT
Basketball Betting Lines
02/07/2012 -
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Russell Westbrook blocked Nicolas Batum's
drive to the hoop in the closing seconds of regulation, then hit the go-ahead
basket in overtime, as the Thunder handed the Trail Blazers their second home
loss of the season, 111-107.
Prior to Westbrook's block, LaMarcus Aldridge was whistled for a controversial
goaltending violation on Kevin Durant's layup attempt, tying the game with six
seconds remaining.
Portland shot just 1-of-9 from the field in the extra session to fall to 11-2
at Rose Garden this season.
Durant finished with 33 points, Westbrook added 28 points, 11 rebounds and
eight assists, and Serge Ibaka chipped in 12 points and 13 boards for Oklahoma
City, which was coming off Saturday's loss at San Antonio.
Aldridge led the Blazers with 39 points, but was called for goaltending
despite appearing to get a piece of Durant's scoop before it hit the
backboard.
Batum drove to the basket with time winding down, only to be met in the lane
by Westbrook, who was able to hang in the air long enough to get a piece of
the ball and send the game to overtime.
Westbrook opened the OT scoring with a pullup jumper, and Harden added a dunk
off a Jamal Crawford turnover with 2:53 on the clock.
A Crawford basket cut the deficit to two, but Batum and Crawford each missed
shots in the final minute, the latter getting blocked by Kendrick Perkins with
under 10 seconds to play.
Durant slammed the door with a dunk.
Reggie Jackson's three-pointer near the first-quarter buzzer pulled Oklahoma
City within 31-29, and the Thunder scored the final eight points of the half
to build a 60-52 advantage.
The difference moved to 12 early in the third, but Portland responded with the
next 13 points to continue a back-and-forth affair that featured 13 ties and
just as many lead changes.
Oklahoma City owned an 85-79 edge heading to the fourth, and it was a two-
possession game the entire final stanza.
Game Notes
The Thunder committed 20 turnovers, but scored 23 points off 13 Portland
giveaways...Wesley Matthews and Crawford totaled 18 and 17 points,
respectively in defeat...Oklahoma City had 20 fastbreak points to the Blazers'
seven in transition.
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Odyssey Sims had 14 points while Destiny Williams snat
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The injury came with 9:38 left in the third. From t
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The Los Angeles Times reported Billups
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top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats in a battle between the Southeastern Conference's
top two squ
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welcome the Purdue Boilermakers to Value City Arena for a league battle.
This will be the
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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
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