Will LeBron James Ever Win an NBA Title?

Posted January 18, 2012 – 10:55 pm in: NBA

LeBron James was beloved early in his career. He was the talk of Ohio when he dominated the high school basketball scene and later he was loved just as much as the Akron Hammer playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James played the hometown hero in Cleveland but did not see eye to eye with his owner Dan Gilbert when it came to building a team. James shined in Cleveland despite being on a small market team.

James NBA career began at the tender age of 18 as the No. 1 pick by the Cavaliers in 2003. LeBron was named the NBA MVP in his first season and later scored 5,000 points faster than any other player in NBA history.

In 2008-2009 LeBron won his first NBA MVP Award. The honor was well deserved. LeBron and Cavaliers struggled but individually James dominated on the floor against the best in the NBA.

Before the 2010-2011 NBA season James elected to “take his talents to South Beach” as he joined up with Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade and Toronto star Chris Bosh. The three stars underwent plenty of scrutiny but they did make their way to NBA Finals, only to lose to the Dallas Mavericks.

James is averaging an amazing 27.7 points per game in his career and he is showing no signs of slowing down. When LeBron came to Miami he predicted the team would win multiple championships and falling just short in 2011 has inspired him to double down and focus in the 2011-2012 strike-shortened season.

You want to get in on this action? Check out the prop odds for all of the NBA betting this season.

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A Review of the NHL Eastern Conference First Quarter

Posted November 17, 2011 – 8:17 am in: NHL

The Southeast Division and the Northeast Division are in some great battles at the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference and things are wide open in this conference.

In the Southeast Division the favourites, the Washington Capitals and the long shot, the Florida Panthers are even up with both teams are cutting their way through the competition. Expectations were high for Washington going into the season but Florida is surprising everyone as both teams have 21 points.

In the Northeast Division things are going pretty much the same way. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres are neighbours just across the border from one another and the Niagara Falls but are also neighbours in the standings. While it is true that the two teams are similar, the exception is that the Maple Leafs has given up 19 more goals than the Sabres.

Leading the NHL in points the Pittsburgh Penguins are tied with the Western Conference leaders, the Chicago Blackhawks, with the 25 points. The Penguins, despite their star player Sidney Crosby, being out with concussion issues, are keeping pace in this race.

Long before we ever get to the month of December there are several teams that are already eliminated from the NHL playoffs. The New York Islanders are so far gone that they already seem to be the only candidate for the No.1 draft pick.

Is Pittsburgh the favourite to win the Eastern Conference? They could easily win the conference if No. 87 came back but they will still win the conference without their star player Sid the Kid Crosby.

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Clemson Tigers Looks to Continue Magical Season Against Virginia Tech Hokies

Posted September 28, 2011 – 12:37 pm in: Uncategorized

The Clemson Tigers look unstoppable early in the season. They have consecutive wins over ranked opponents, No. 21 Auburn and No. 11 Florida State. Now they take on their third ranked opponent, current No. 11, the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Clemson will face the toughest defense they have played this season. The Virginia Tech defense has allowed only ten points per game but the level of competition they have faced is less superior to the Clemson Tigers. The Hokies have handled Appalachian State, East Carolina and Marshall. The defending ACC champs need to step up and show they can repeat in this critical game.

Clemson can take the dominating position in the ACC with a win over last years conference champs. If Clemson does have a weakness it is defense. They are surrendering 25 points per game and they have won some close games against some of the best teams in the country.

Tajh Boyd has shown veteran qualities at times for the Tigers as the quarterback during this streak. Boyd made one of the most bone-headed plays of the year last week, literally giving Florida State seven points. Boyd shook off the mistake and led his team to victory 35-30.

Despite Clemson coming into this game with a 4-0 record, the Hokies are favored by seven points at home in college football betting. The Hokies defense is the key in this game and Clemson’s lack of defense could also come into play. Seven points is a lot of points to give up to Clemson but the Virginia Tech defense is capable of holding them down.

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Match Preview – Maria Sharapova vs. Caroline Garcia

Posted May 27, 2011 – 2:09 am in: tennis

Maria Sharapova And Caroline GarciaMaria Sharapova of Russia defeated Mirjana Lucic of Croatia and started her pursuit for French Open title in style, with a 6-3 6-0 in the first round match at Roland Garros. It was a one-sided affair.

Now, to secure her berth in the last 32 of the French Open 2011, she will take on seventeen-year old French qualifier Caroline Garcia. In the WTA Rankings, the French teen sensation is ranked 188th. After performing well at the ITF circuit, earlier this year in January, she earned a wild-card entry to Aussie Open and thump Varvara Lepchenko in the first round in her maiden appearance in the main draw of a WTA tournament. The Frenchwoman without doubt left an impression, even though she lost to Ayumi Morita in the second round.

Unexpectedly, Garcia dispatched her Czech opponent Zuzana Ondraskova in the first round match at the Roland Garros and made an astonishingly sturdy start to the 2011 French Open. She overwhelmed her Czech opponent with 6-3, 6-4 scoreline.

In this year’s Roland Garros, Sharapova is being talked off as a prospective champion as Kim Clijsters is looking ring-rusty, Williams sisters are absent in the tournament and world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki is still to crack a Grand Slam.

Sharapova said that no matter what her rankings are, be it 100 or be it 10, she believes that no matter whoever she faces, her opponents want to beat her because of what she had achieved in the past.

On 26 May 2011, Sharapova will be up against Caroline Garcia. Sharapova seems to be the obvious favorite to win the match. The betting odds are Sharapova (1/25), while Garcia (23).

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Los Angeles Galaxy Vs. New York Red Bulls – Match Preview

Posted May 7, 2011 – 1:48 am in: Soccer

On Saturday, the New York Red Bulls will take on the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer game and this game will be an electrifying one for several reasons. In any sport a clash between New York and Los Angeles always brings out a unique atmosphere. This weekend’s game will involve two of the best teams in the MLS, more specifically.

In MLS betting lines, the Galaxy are a +110 home favorite, New York is a +300 road underdog, and a Draw is at +240.

While the Galaxy dominates the standings in the Western Conference, the Red Bulls currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference. For most of the season so far, it is also worth mentioning that Los Angeles has held the number one spot in the league table.

A packed Home Depot Center will be an intimidating venue for the Red Bulls, on Saturday evening. With a tremendous amount of confidence and momentum gained from the last three games, New York will arrive in Los Angeles though. Taking out D.C. United 4-0 and enjoying a solid 1-0 victory over Kansas City, the Red Bulls overpowered the Earthquakes 3-0.

For the first time this season, it was in those games that Thierry Henry finally scored for New York. By scoring three goals this season, newcomer Englishman Luke Rodgers has surprised many fans. Rafael Marquez, New York’s other star player, has recently created goal scoring opportunities for his teammates as well as he has been doing his job in the back end of the pitch.

Los Angeles striker Juan Pablo Angel, who will play against his former New York teammates with whom he built strong bonds, this game will be particularly dramatic for him. Angel has yet to enjoy similar success that he’d had when wearing a Red Bull Jersey, having only 1 goal in eight games with Los Angeles this season.

Against New York, David Beckham and Landon Donovan will be providing the usual threats though. The Galaxy‘s recent loss to Dallas may be an unpleasant blow to the team’s morale, also, after avoiding losses in April.

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Game Preview: Nuggets vs. Thunder

Posted April 20, 2011 – 7:51 am in: NBA

Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder will be playing alongside each other on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 8:00 PM ET at Oklahoma City Arena, Oklahoma City, OK. A ton of action has been witnessed in these last few weeks at the sports betting websites. The Oklahoma City Thunder seems to be the favorite to win. The odds for Thunder are 1 / 2 and Nuggets 9/5.

In the 2011 NBA Payoffs, injuries are becoming a ubiquitous story and the Denver Nuggets are no exception to the rule.

In somewhat contentious fashion, the Game 1 was lost by Nuggets to the Oklahoma City Thunder. For Game 2 on Wednesday night, the Nuggets have already ruled out starting shooting guard Aaron Afflalo. He has been on and off throughout the last month or so because of a left hamstring injury. His absence from the squad at the most significant time of the season is obstructing him and his team badly. Afflalo had missed 13 of the final 18 regular-season games with an injury he originally suffered March 5 and worsened March 19, April 1 and April 11, aside from missing the team’s first playoff game on Sunday night.

The NBA’s highest scoring tandem other than Miami’s LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Durant and Westbrook were accountable for overcoming the Nuggets 107-103 in Game 1. In Game 1, Oklahoma City depended a great deal on Durant and Westbrook. In the same game, both had scored at least 30 points. In the regular season, this feat was accomplished by the duo only five times. Eric Maynor was the only one other player, who scored more than five in Game 1, with 12 points.

George Karl is one on whom, Denver’s opportunity hinges on. How far this basketball lifer can prod his Nuggets remains to be seen on Wednesday night.

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Sony Ericsson Open – Bhupathi/ Paes through to Finals

Posted April 2, 2011 – 2:40 am in: tennis

Paes & BhupathiThird seeds Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi booked a berth in the finals of the Sony Ericsson Open by saving a match point on the road to a hard-fought three-set triumph over Oliver Marach and Janko Tipsarevic.

To set up a clash with second seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor, the third-seeded Indian pair won 6-3, 5-7, 11-9. Mirnyi and Nestor, in their semifinal match overwhelmed fourth seeded Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner.

To even the match at one set all, Bhupathi and Paes led 6-3, 2-0 before Marach and Tipsarevic turned things around. Mirnyi was Bhupathi’s partner in 2010, which is quite ironical, when they went down to Paes and Lukas Dlouhy in the summit clash at this tournament. Paes and Bhupathi are again at the identical stage this year but will be paired together as they take on Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Daniel Nestor of Canada for the trophy clash, after playing against each other in the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open doubles final.

At the Sony Ericsson Open, Bhupathi and Paes are looking in a great touch. In the second round, they ousted Marc Lopez and David Marrero of Spain 7-6(5), 6-4. Bhupathi and Paes whipped Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in the opening round of the match.

The betting lines for the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open has seen a lot of action in the last few weeks. The betting odds for the doubles final are – Mahesh Bhupathi/Leander Paes (5/6) and Max Mirnyi/Daniel Nestor (5/6).

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2011 Sony Ericsson Open Will Take Place In Miami, Florida

Posted March 22, 2011 – 1:55 am in: tennis

The Sony Ericsson Open will once again attract the world’s top men to compete in Miami, Florida, which scheduled to begin on March 21. In one of the most exciting non Grand Slam events of the year, certainly the ladies will also participate.

Which has always been a good “thermometer” of the hotness of the players coming into the Sony Ericsson Open is the ongoing BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. The world’s top players are competing in both masters’ events which is the good news for tennis fans.

Making the tournament as competitive as in Grand Slams, all top ten players will play at Crandon Park. After winning both recent Davis Cup matches against Belgium, and advancing through the early rounds at Indian Wells, world number one Rafael Nadal is in great shape.

Once again, second seed Roger Federer is eager to get his hands on the trophy something he has last done in 2006. In the Dubai Finals in late February, Federer’s loss to Novak Djokovic is a reminder that winning Miami today is more challenging than before. In Tennis Odds, Federer is expected to be the favorite.

Djokovic hopes to relive the sweet Miami success which he tasted in 2007 when he won the tournament as the Australian Open champion comes in as the third seed.

By dropping out of the top 5 and 10 rankings, defending champion Andy Roddick has been under the radar since last season. With plenty of momentum from winning Memphis in February and giving the U.S.A. two Davis Cup wins against Chile in early March, he comes in as the eighth seed.

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Canada Beat Mexico in Davis Cup 2011

Posted March 9, 2011 – 8:36 am in: tennis

Milos Raonic received a wild-card entry into the Sony Ericsson Open. He is currently a Canadian tennis sensation. From March 23 to April 3, Raonic will be part of the 96-man main draw at the $3.645 million US event in Miami. This season on the ATP Tour, the 20-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., is 14-3 and with one tournament victory and he is ranked 37th in the world.

To lead the Canadians to a 4-1 triumph over a game Mexican squad, Raonic succeeded in three straight matches, which includes two singles and the doubles with Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C. Without his presence, Canada might have had difficulty against the Mexicans.

On Sunday, in the first reverse singles, Raonic overpowered Daniel Garza in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 singles to give Canada an unquestionable 3-1 lead. In the opening set, the Canadian faced strong opposition. He consolidated on it to clinch the first set 7-5 and he was able to break Garza’s serve once in the set. In the second set, Raonic played a hostile game and in the eighth game, the 20-year-old broke his rival to take a 5-3 lead. The Canadian held his serve and won the set 6-3. Raonic then broke his challenger twice in the third set, winning it 6-2.

At the SAP Open in February, Raonic won the first title of his career by overwhelming Fernando Verdasco in straight sets in the final. Of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championship, Raonic reached the final after his accomplishments at the SA Open. In a breathtaking three setter 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, he lost to Roddick.

In the next round of Davis Cup from 8-10 July 2011, Canada will face Ecuador in their own backyard. In the head-to-head record between the two countries, Ecuador leads Canada 5-1.

In various sportsbook, the odds for some of the teams in Davis Cup 2011 are Spain 2, Serbia 7/2, Argentina 11/2, France 6 and USA 13/2.

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Stoke City Will Battle Against Arsenal In English Premier League Match

Posted February 19, 2011 – 1:50 am in: Soccer

There is one team with a realistic chance to unseat Manchester United, with the English Premier League season entering the home stretch.  Sitting comfortably in second place, Arsenal has been one of the hottest teams in the EPL. Arsenal will face Stoke City after a Champion’s League and FA Cup match and it is a busy week for them. Currently Stoke City is in 9th place.

Wojciech Szczesny figures to be in goal again for Arsenal. For about a month he has been the regular starter.  Playing just one poor game, he has played well since taking over. Arsenal has been a force offensively. By giving them one of the strongest offenses around, they have 56 goals on the EPL season.  Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri have been the strongest performers.

Since October, Asmire Begovic has been the starting goalie for Stoke City. Allowing 19 goals in 17 matches, he has been solid. As Stoke City isn’t as dominant offensively as Arsenal, his strength will be needed. With more than 5 goals on the roster, Robert Huth is the only player. With 62 shots on goal Kenwyne Jones leads the team.

For most of the season Stoke City has been up and down.  Being shut out in each game, they have lost three of their last four matches and the struggles on offense have been obvious. If they have any hopes of beating Arsenal that will need to change. It is up to Stoke City to respond as Arsenal can score.  This season this is the first meeting between the two teams. Last season Arsenal swept both matches.

For Soccer betting odds, check out online sportsbooks closer to game time.

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