Western powers meet in LA as Lakers host Nuggets

Basketball Betting Lines

02/28/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The two top teams in the Western Conference clash Sunday when the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers host the Northwest Division-leading Denver Nuggets at Staples Center.

While it's still early, LA and Denver certainly look like the class of the West again and a rematch of last year's conference finals, which the Lakers won in six games en route to their 15th NBA championship, could be on the horizon.

The Nuggets came into this season with the intent of solving the Lakers puzzle and have done so thus far, taking their two contests against LA, including an emphatic 126-113 triumph at Staples Center earlier this month.

That win was just the third time in 24 tries that Denver has beaten the Lakers in LA since Kobe Bryant arrived on the scene in 1996-97.

Most recently, the Lakers rebounded from a 101-96 loss at Dallas when Pau Gasol posted 23 points and 11 rebounds and Andrew Bynum added 20 and 13, as LA pulled away late in the fourth quarter for a 99-90 victory over Philadelphia on Friday.

Bryant ended with 19 points and eight assists, while Lamar Odom scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

"I think we were looking past this game to the Denver game on Sunday," Lakers head coach Phil Jackson said. "Kobe played a lackluster game. He's still searching to find a rhythm in his game."

The Nuggets, meanwhile, won their third straight game on Friday when Chauncey Billups ended with 25 points and Carmelo Anthony chipped in 24, as Denver ended a seven-game losing streak to the Pistons with a 107-102 victory at the Pepsi Center.

J.R. Smith and Joey Graham came off the bench to score 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Nuggets. Arron Afflalo had 14 points for Denver, which outscored the Pistons, 29-14, at the foul line.

"I thought our bench did a great job of keeping us in the game," Denver head coach George Karl said. "Fortunately, 'Melo and Chauncey made some big plays down the stretch."

Power forward Kenyon Martin missed the win over the Pistons with a left knee contusion and is questionable for today's game.

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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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