11/19/2008 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jason Terry scored 31 points, and Dirk Nowitzki added 24 points and 12 rebounds to pace Dallas to a 96-86 victory over the injury-riddled Houston Rockets.
Jason Kidd contributed eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Mavericks, who won their third in a row following a five-game skid. The Mavs, who played without second-leading scorer Josh Howard (left ankle), also beat Houston for the 11th time in the last 14 meetings.
Rafer Alston and Tracy McGrady each scored 16 points, but the Rockets were without center Yao Ming (sore left foot). Forward Shane Battier practiced on Tuesday for the first time this season, but was in street clothes again as he continues be sidelined due to offseason foot surgery.
McGrady played despite leaving Monday's game against Oklahoma City with a knee injury, and Ron Artest put together a solid performance with 14 points and 13 rebounds despite playing on a gimpy ankle. But Houston shot just 37.2 percent from the field.
The Mavericks carried a 72-61 lead going to the fourth quarter, but Houston got three-balls from Aaron Brooks and Von Wafer to start the period. The Rockets, though, failed in their bid to play catch-up. McGrady's three-pointer had the hosts within 88-84 with 1:15 remaining, but Terry then knifed through the lane for a bucket with a minute left.
McGrady missed a three-pointer at the other end, and Nowitzki made four free throws down the stretch.
The Mavericks started the game on fire, scoring the first eight points, but Houston bounced back to tie the game at 16 on an Artest layup. The Mavs finished the quarter on a 9-2 spurt for a 31-25 lead and they were up 53-46 at the half. The visitors held a sizeable lead throughout the third stanza.
Game Notes
Dallas will play nine of its next 11 games at home, starting Friday against Memphis. The Mavericks are 0-4 at home for the first time since the 1993-94 season when they lost their first 19 at home. Dallas is the only team in the league to not win a game at home this season...The Rockets play Washington Friday in the opener of a three-game road trip...Scola and Brooks each had 15 points...The Rockets were 6-of-25 from three-point range.
<< Hawks' Horford misses game against the Wizards
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Atlanta Hawks center/forward Al Horford didn't
play in Wednesday's 91-87 win over the Washington Wizards due to a sprained
right ankle.
Horford hurt the ankle against the Pacers on Tuesday and is listed as day-
<< Ball State stays perfect with win over Central Michigan
Mount Pleasant, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nate Davis threw four touchdowns and
MiQuale Lewis rushed for 177 yards as the 14th-ranked Ball State Cardinals
stayed perfect on the season with a 31-24 decision over Central Michigan in an
excitin
<< Burrows scores twice as Canucks double up Rangers
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alex Burrows had two goals and Vancouver
doubled up the New York Rangers, 6-3, at Madison Square Garden.
Kyle Wellwood, Ryan Johnson, Pavol Demitra and Daniel Sedin also scored for
the Canucks, who
<< Salmons, Kings have big fourth quarter to beat Hornets
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - John Salmons led five Kings in double
figures with 29 points and six assists in Sacramento's 105-96 victory over the
New Orleans Hornets.
Salmons hit a solid 13-of-18 from the floor for the King
Raptors overcome Wade's 40-point night win in over Heat >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andrea Bargnani scored a season-high 25 points,
leading the Toronto Raptors over the Miami Heat, 101-95, in a tough road test
at American Airlines Arena.
Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal both posted double-doubl
Jazz top Bucks to extend home win streak; Boozer exits early >>
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - C.J. Miles scored 25 points to lead Utah
to a 105-94 comeback win over the Milwaukee Bucks, as the Jazz won their 14th
straight home game going back to last season.
Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 11
NCAA denies Stepheson's waiver petition >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NCAA has denied forward Alex
Stepheson's waiver petition for immediate eligibility to compete for Southern
California.
Stepheson, who transferred this fall from North Carolina, will not be e
Portland G Blake leaves game >>
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portland Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake left
Wednesday's 116-74 win over the Chicago Bulls after cutting his head on a
camera in the third quarter.
Blake dove for a loose ball out of bounds but
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds:
Saints +6 @ Colts -6
Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em)
Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em)
Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5
Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1
Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3
Patriots -5 @ Jets +5
Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5
Steelers -4 @ Browns +4
Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6
Bears +6 @ Chargers -6
Lions +3 @ Raiders -3
Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5
Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4
Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3
Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3
Super Bowl line (2008)
NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5
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