Knicks square off with Nets at MSG

Basketball Betting Lines

02/04/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks will play their third game in as many nights when they entertain the local New Jersey Nets Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks have lost the first two of back-to-back-to-back contests and suffered a 91-89 loss in Boston last night. Carmelo Anthony ended with 26 points and six assists for the Knicks, who haven't won in Beantown since a 101-77 victory back on November 24, 2006. Tyson Chandler recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Amare Stoudemire added 16 points and 11 boards for New York, which has dropped 11 of its last 13 games to fall to 8-16 on the season.

"We need to find ways to be consistent all the way through the game. We're not there yet," Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni said.

New York will take a break after tonight's game and will get back to work Monday versus Utah in the Big Apple. The Knicks are 4-7 in front of their home crowd this season and are playing back-to-back-to-back games for the first time since Mar. 20-22, 1999, when they beat Boston and lost to both Toronto and Atlanta.

New Jersey has lost three of its last four games and dropped a 108-105 decision versus Minnesota last night. Wolves guard Luke Ridnour buried the go- ahead three-pointer with 1:23 remaining, while Anthony Morrow ended with a career-high 42 points and nailed eight three-pointers for the Nets, who went 1-1 on a two-game homestand and failed to build off a recent win over Detroit.

"He was just on fire. Our guys were finding him, setting great screens for him, he was letting it fly," Nets head coach Avery Johnson said of Morrow, who sat out Wednesdays win over the Pistons with a sore left ankle. "Every play that we drew up for him, he executed it perfectly. I think he was perfect and special tonight. It was a special performance."

The Nets shot 44.2 percent from the field and received 16 points and nine rebounds from Kris Humphries. Deron Williams tallied 12 points and matched a season-high with 14 assists in defeat, while Jordan Farmar added 14 points in a reserve role.

After visiting the Knicks, New Jersey will play two straight and four of five games in the Garden State. The Nets are 5-9 away from Newark.

New York won all four matchups with the Nets a season ago and is 11-5 in the past 16 meetings between the two Atlantic Division foes. The Nets have lost two straight and four of five trips to Madison Square Garden.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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