Jimmer returns to SLC when Kings visit Jazz
Basketball Betting Lines
01/28/2012 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jimmer Fredette will return to Utah Saturday as the
Sacramento Kings attempt to put the brakes on a three-game skid when they open
up a brief two-game road trip against the Jazz.
The Kings were blown out in their last encounter, a 122-93 setback at the
hands of Denver in California's capital.
Sacramento was led by Fredette's 19 points in that one while DeMarcus Cousins
finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds and Isaiah Thomas chipped in 16
points.
"Kind of an embarrassing moment for our fans to watch us play that way," said
Kings coach Keith Smart.
Fredette, the former BYU star, averaged just 6.9 points in his first 16 NBA
games but has picked it up recently, netting 17.3 over his last three
contests. The 10th overall pick in last June's draft, Fredette will be
returning to Utah for the first time since leave BYU as the school's all-time
leading scorer.
"It'll be fun to play in front of the hometown fans again that I played in
front of for my college career," Fredette told the Kings' website. "I'm
looking forward to it. It should be a fun atmosphere. The most important thing
is that we can go out and hopefully steal one on the road."
Sacramento could also get a boost with the possible return of big man Chuck
Hayes, who has missed the last 11 games with a dislocated left shoulder. The
team's leading scorer, Marcus Thornton, will remain sidelined with a bruised
left quadriceps, however.
The Jazz have taken a step back recently dropping two straight and three of
four after Friday's 116-101 setback in Dallas against a Dirk Nowitzki-less
Mavs team.
Paul Millsap scored 20 points for the Jazz in that one while Al Jefferson,
returning after sitting out a game with a balky right ankle, added 19.
"They shot the ball well from the three point line, better than they've been
shooting in the past especially with Dirk out," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said.
"Guys made shots tonight. But I thought we played hard. You've got to give
them credit, they made the shots when they needed to and we didn't."
Sacramento has dropped three straight and seven of eight overall to the Jazz
in Salt Lake City.
<< Knicks limp into Houston to face Rockets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A Carmelo Anthony-less New York team limps into South
Texas on Saturday to face off with the red-hot Houston Rockets.
The Knicks lost for the eighth time in nine games and fell to 1-2 on a four-
game road trip Saturday in
<< Sixers resume lengthy homestand against struggling Pistons
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers will resume a season-long seven-game
homestand tonight by welcoming the struggling Detroit Pistons to Wells Fargo
Center.
The Sixers improved to 2-1 on the residency Friday when Lou Williams scored 1
<< Tiger, Rock share lead in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods and Robert Rock
posted matching rounds of six-under 66 Saturday to move atop the leaderboard
after three rounds of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
The duo ended 54 holes at 11-und
<< Hornets trying to trade Kaman
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets are trying to trade
away center Chris Kaman, and will not play him as they go through that
process.
Kaman is not injured, but hasn't played in New Orleans' last two games. He
<< 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
Grizzlies finish road trip in the desert vs. Suns >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Memphis Grizzlies hope to finish a four-game road trip
on a winning note Saturday when they pay a visit to the struggling Phoenix
Suns.
The Grizzlies started their trek in a positive fashion, winning at Golden
State b
Lakers begin tough stretch in Milwaukee >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fresh off halting a three-game skid, the Los Angeles Lakers
will begin a tough stretch tonight in Milwaukee in which they will play eight
of nine games on the road.
Kobe Bryant netted 24 points to go with seven rebounds an
Wizards try to conjure up a road win in Charlotte >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Eastern Conference's worst two teams square off for the
second time this week Saturday when the Charlotte Bobcats play host to the
Washington Wizards.
The Bobcats are coming off an awful performance in Philadelphia on
Braves and Bluejays mix it up in MVC action >>
Omaha, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams at opposite ends of the Missouri Valley
Conference standings meet for the second time in three weeks tonight, as the
Bradley Braves have made the trip to Omaha to challenge the 15th-ranked
Creighton Blueja
Panthers come to Murray seeking upset of 11th-ranked Racers >>
Murray, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 11th-ranked Murray State Racers continue the
greatest season in school history when they entertain Ohio Valley Conference
foe Eastern Illinois tonight at CFSB Arena in Kentucky.
Eastern Illinois is hoping to
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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