O'Neal, Heat top shorthanded Wizards

Basketball Betting Lines

03/01/2007 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shaquille O'Neal scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Miami Heat held off the Washington Wizards, 92-83, at the Verizon Center.

Jason Williams added 23 points for Miami, which has won two of its last three games. Udonis Haslem chipped in with 12 points and 16 boards for the Heat, who are 2-2 since Dwyane Wade's injury.

DeShawn Stevenson deposited 19 points for Washington, which has lost four straight games. Gilbert Arenas shot just 3-of-18 for 15 points for the Wizards, who were again without Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison due to injury.

O'Neal scored all 10 of Miami's points in the fourth until Eddie Jones drilled a triple to put Miami ahead 82-73 with 1:12 left to play. The Heat then hit all eight of their free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

Washington shot just 7-of-26 in the fourth quarter.

Leading 9-8 Miami went on a 15-0 run to open up a 24-8 advantage with 3:51 left in the first stanza. The Wizards responded by scoring 12 of the final 15 points in the session to close within 27-20 after one period.

A Jones triple sparked a 7-0 run to start the second and the Heat took a 34-20 lead. Again, the Wizards fought back as a 16-6 run, capped by a Roger Mason Jr. trey pulled Washington within four, 40-36 midway through the quarter.

Miami held a 46-45 edge at the half.

Andray Blatche's dunk to start the third put the Wizards ahead, but the Heat immediately re-gained the lead with a Williams three and Haslem layup putting the Heat up for good 51-47 with 10:36 remaining in the third.

Miami led 69-65 heading into the final quarter.

Game Notes

Washington shot just 35.8 percent while Miami connected on 41.8 percent from the field...Miami outrebounded Washington 49-43...Miami has won 13 of its last 14 meetings with Washington.

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.