Thunder conclude road trip in Utah
Basketball Betting Lines
02/10/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oklahoma City will attempt to wrap up a five-game road trip on a winning note tonight when Kevin Durant and Company visit Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz.
The Western Conference-leading Thunder dropped to 2-2 on their trek Thursday in Sacramento, falling to the improving Kings 106-101.
Russell Westbrook, who was named a reserve on the West All-Star team earlier in the day, netted 33 points, Durant chipped in 27 to go with eight rebounds and Serge Ibaka blocked 10 shots, matching a career-high, for Oklahoma City, which fell to 11-5 as the visitor on the year.
The Kings scored 28 points off 23 turnovers to win for the fourth time in five games.
"We didn't do a good job of taking care of the basketball," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. "We have to clean that up."
The Jazz, meanwhile, lost for the fourth time in five games on Tuesday in Indiana, falling 104-99 to the Pacers.
Paul Millsap had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in that one and Al Jefferson added 16 points for the Jazz, who lost their fourth straight game away from EnergySolutions Arena and fell to 2-7 on the road.
"In the first half we didn't have very good energy," Millsap said. "We just weren't in sync in the first half, and against a good team like the Pacers you can't do that."
Utah is 11-4 in SLC this season but the Thunder have won their last two visits to EnergySolutions Arena.
These two clubs will turn it around quickly and meet again next Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two streaks will be on the line this evening at Time Warner Cable Arena, as the Chicago Bulls go after their fifth straight win, while the Charlotte Bobcats attempt to avoid matching the longest losing streak in franchise his
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Lake Charles, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - McNeese State's scheduled football game at
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers will close out a seven-game stretch that head coach Doug Collins dubbed as "Death Row" when they entertain the upstart Los Angeles Clippers tonight from Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers are 4-2 on the
Heat visit nation's capital to take on Wizards >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After getting their six-game road trip off to a poor start,
the Miami Heat will dust themselves off for tonight's showdown against the
lowly Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center.
The Heat had won three straight and 11
Cavs and Bucks clash at the 'Q' >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving probably won't play
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Nets and Pistons finish home-and-home set >>
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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