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01/28/2012 - 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 seven rebounds, while Nene finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who extended their winning streak to six games. Andre Miller finished with 13 points and matched a season-high with 12 assists to go with six rebounds.
The Nuggets were also without point guard Ty Lawson, who sat out with a sprained ankle.
Leandro Barbosa paced the Raptors with 19 points, while Jerryd Bayless had 18 and James Johnson donated 16 points. Aaron Gray had a big night on the glass, grabbing 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost nine of their last 11.
Toronto also played its first game without forward Andrea Bargnani, who will be out indefinitely after re-aggrevating a calf strain in a double-overtime win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Denver came out on fire in the first quarter, ripping off a 16-2 run to start the game before a running jumper by Johnson finally stopped the run with 3:08 left in the opening 12 minutes.
The Nuggets continued to make shots, shooting 55 percent in the frame. Gallinari led the offensive outburst with three treys and nine points.
Miller capped the quarter by nailing a 60-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to put Denver ahead 28-12.
The Nuggets continued to hammer Toronto in the second quarter, shooting 57 percent from the floor and outscoring the Raptors, 26-20.
Fernandez finished with 10 points in the frame and the Nuggets took a 54-32 lead into the locker room.
Trailing, 67-47, with 5:47 to go in the third quarter, the Raptors stepped up their game, using an impressive 27-13 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters to get the deficit all the way down to 80-74 with 9:37 to play in regulation.
Gallinari stopped the run with a jumper and Fernandez nailed a trey on the Nuggets next touch to push the lead back to 85-74 with 6:10 left in regulation and they cruised the rest of the way.
Game Notes
Friday marked the first meeting of the season between the teams. Denver took both games last season...The Nuggets improved to 4-0 against the Atlantic Division this season...Toronto's 32 first-half points was a season- low...Denver shot 46 percent from the floor and 8-of-27 from beyond the arc, while the Raptors shot just 39 percent from the floor and 7-of-19 from three- point range...The Nuggets had the edge on the glass, outrebounding Toronto, 45-43...Denver converted 16 Raptors turnovers into 19 points.
<< 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
<< Rockets soar past Wizards
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With leading scorer Kevin Martin out due to
plantar fasciitis in his right foot, the Rockets still didn't have a problem
handling the lowly Wizards on Friday night.
Chase Budinger returned from a three
<< Nets hold off Cavs
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Deron Williams recorded a double-double with
27 points and 10 assists as the Nets held off the Cavaliers 99-96 at Quicken
Loans Arena.
Kris Humphries, who left Friday's shootaround with an illness, fought
Durant powers Thunder over Warriors >>
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 terr
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
NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.
Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.
There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.
Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.
The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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