Sessions, Bucks snap slide against Rockets

Basketball Betting Lines

02/09/2009 - Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ramon Sessions led a balanced scoring attack with 26 points to go with seven assists, leading Milwaukee to a 124-112 victory over Houston and snapping the Bucks' eight-game losing streak against the Rockets.

Milwaukee, playing without guards Michael Redd (knee) and Luke Ridnour (thumb) as well as center Andrew Bogut (back), had lost its previous two games but shot 52.8 percent from the floor and forced 18 turnovers.

Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva each scored 25 points, while Charlie Bell added 21 points off the bench in the victory.

Aaron Brooks had 23 points, while Luis Scola and Ron Artest each logged 20 points for Houston, which had won three of four prior to its test in Brew City. Yao Ming grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds but was held to seven points.

Tracy McGrady was also shut down with a mere three points on 1-of-9 shooting.

A 12-2 Milwaukee run early in the first quarter set the tone for the game. The hosts led 32-25 after one period and clung to a 64-58 lead at the break.

A two-minute stretch midway through the third essentially sealed the bout, as Villanueva powered the Bucks on a 14-0 run. The UConn product started the rally with a pair of free throws, added a jumper and increased the margin to 87-65 with back-to-back three-pointers around the four-minute mark.

The lead stayed the same, 98-76, entering the fourth, and the Rockets didn't have the fire power to mount a miracle comeback.

Game Notes

Milwaukee signed guard Eddie Gill to a 10-day contract on Monday...Keith Bogans, who was making his home debut since being traded last week from Orlando, scored 13 points for the Bucks...Milwaukee committed just eight turnovers...Houston shot 12-for-26 from three-point range, while the Bucks made 10-of-20 from downtown.

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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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