Mr. Lin goes to Washington

Basketball Betting Lines

02/08/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Linsanity has officially hit New York.

Tonight Jeremy Lin tries to continue his amazing play when the New York Knicks go after a third straight win against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center.

After netting 25 points and seven assists on Saturday, Lin again dazzled in his first start on Monday, scoring 28 points with eight assists - both career- highs - to lead the undermanned Knicks past the Utah Jazz, 99-88.

"I just have nothing but gratitude and thankfulness right now," said Lin. "This one was ugly and we lost a couple of players, but this team has a lot of will."

Lin's heroics were unexpected but necessary, as Amare Stoudemire missed the game following the tragic death of his brother, while Carmelo Anthony left the game just minutes into the contest with a strained groin.

Stoudemire will again miss tonight's contest, while Anthony was re-evaluated on Tuesday and will miss 1-to-2 weeks.

"We're going to have to create our own energy, and with Amare and Melo out we're going to have to play together and we're going to have rough stretches," Lin said. "But we're going to have to play gutsy and ugly at times to get the win.

"You can't replace [Anthony]. We're going to have to have people step up, and it's going to have to be everyone. It's not going to be one person scoring 20 points. It's going to be two points here and two points there. Everyone's going to have to do a little bit extra. Obviously we don't have that same star power right now."

Lin, the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, may have been the one bringing Madison Square Garden to its feet, but he wasn't the only unheralded contributor on Monday. Seldom used Steve Novak totaled 19 points in a reserve role, while Jared Jeffries added 13 points and Bill Walker had 11.

"You never know who can step up. It only takes one guy to step up and all of a sudden everything turns and I think that's the way we're feeling around here now," center Tyson Chandler said. "Jeremy stepped up and put guys back in their natural positions and all of a sudden our offense is flowing."

An undrafted point guard from Harvard, Lin spent some time with Golden State last year before being released by the Warriors this summer. He was also cut loose by the Houston Rockets prior to the start of the year before catching on with the Knicks.

"I'm riding him like freakin' Secretariat," head coach Mike D'Antoni said of his new point guard.

The Knicks, though, are still just 10-15 on the year and a mere 4-8 on the road. New York returns home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday before hitting the road again to face both Minnesota and Toronto.

Washington, meanwhile, enters on a rare winning note after topping the Raptors in overtime on Monday. John Wall scored a game-high 31 points and the Wizards held on for a 111-108 win.

"We just kind of fell in line behind him," said Wizards head coach Randy Wittman about Wall's play. "That is as good a game that I've had with him that he's played on both ends of the floor."

Washington got season-high point totals from Nick Young (29) and Trevor Booker (19) as the Wizards snapped a four-game skid and got revenge for a 106-89 loss to Toronto on Friday.

The victory was the first in five games for the Wizards, who lost to the Knicks back in early January in D.C. In fact New York has won seven straight and 11 of the last 13 in the series.

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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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