Carter leads Nets past Magic

Basketball Betting Lines

04/11/2009 - East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Vince Carter led the Nets with 27 points and nine assists, as New Jersey topped an uninspired Orlando Magic club, 103-93.

"I just kind of wanted to set the tone of how we wanted to play these last couple of games," Carter said. "We're bettering ourselves for next year, gaining confidence."

Brook Lopez added 13 points and 11 rebounds for New Jersey, which had lost eight of 10 coming in but shot a sizzling 54.3 percent from the floor. Keyon Dooling chipped in 12 points and 10 helpers for the victors.

Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 16 points but was helped off the court in the fourth quarter after rolling his left ankle. Mickael Pietrus and Tony Battie notched 14 points each in the setback.

Dwight Howard was held to seven points and eight rebounds in 26 minutes of action for Orlando, which dropped back-to-back games for just the third time this season. The Magic now sit 2 1/2 games back of Boston for the No. 2 seed in the East.

"I think the biggest thing is defense, we're not helping," Howard said. "We have to do something about this. We have to get it going before the playoffs start."

All Star's Devin Harris (shoulder) for New Jersey and Rashard Lewis (knee) for Orlando sat out due to their respective ailments.

The Nets jumped out to a 28-24 lead after 12 minutes of action. Midway through the second frame, consecutive three-pointers by Jarvis Hayes and Bobby Simmons sparked a 10-0 flurry for the hosts that resulted in a 47-30 advantage.

Orlando's Rafer Alston hit a jumper to beat the halftime buzzer, but the Magic were still looking at a 57-47 deficit at the break.

New Jersey continued to play frontrunner in the third, taking an 83-74 cushion into the final stanza. After Turkoglu scored six straight points for Orlando early in the fourth, Anthony Johnson made a jumper to pull the Magic within 87-82 at the eight-minute mark.

But Simmons nailed a three to spark an 8-0 stretch, during which time Turkoglu went down with an injury. Another Simmons trey a little later made it 100-86 with four minutes left and it was a double-digit game the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Orlando will next visit Milwaukee on Monday, while closing out its regular season Wednesday at home against Charlotte...New Jersey has games with Charlotte and New York to close out its schedule...The Magic won the season series, 2-1...Simmons and Josh Boone each had 11 points in the win.

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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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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.''

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