Hawks, Magic clash at Philips Arena

Basketball Betting Lines

02/23/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks have to be thrilled the All-Star break is right around the corner and they're one of the teams that could use the rest.

Heading into this weekend's break won't be easy, however, with the Southeast Division-rival Orlando Magic scheduled to invade Philips Arena tonight.

The Hawks are without leading scorer Joe Johnson through the All-Star break because of tendinitis in his left knee and he is averaging 7.6 points per game. Johnson was selected as a reserve for the East and was supposed to participate in the All-Star festivities. He was forced to leave Monday's loss at Chicago because of the injury.

Atlanta dropped its third straight game and eighth in 11 tries with last night's 99-82 setback to Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks in the finale of a five-game road trip (1-4) at Madison Square Garden. Jeff Teague scored a team- best 18 points, while Willie Green had 16 and Josh Smith added 13 for Atlanta, which shot 39.5 percent for the game and trailed 60-35 at halftime.

"I thought they did a good job of dictating the pace of the game early," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said about the Knicks. "We took a lot of ill-advised shots and we turned the basketball over, which you can't do on the road."

Marvin Williams had no points in 26:48 and returned from a one-game absence.

The Hawks will open a four-game homestand tonight that will carry them through the mid-season break. They will also host Golden State, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City and are 9-5 in the ATL this season.

In 31 of the 34 games this season for Orlando, All-Star center Dwight Howard has led the team in rebounding. Howard hopes to continue that lopsided trend against the rival Hawks and is coming off a 20-point, 17-rebound effort in last night's 108-91 victory in New Jersey.

Glen Davis scored 12 of his 16 points during a big run with Howard on the bench because of foul trouble and Ryan Anderson had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Magic, winners of two straight and 10 of 13 games.

"We're playing great basketball. We have to keep it up, stay humble, stay focused and continue to push," said Howard, who owns 27 double-doubles on the season

"We're in a good position and we don't want to lose that position. We have to come back the second half and have a better second half."

Magic swingman Jason Richardson missed his third straight game with chest and rib problems and could be out through the All-Star break. Richardson is averaging 12.2 points in 26 games this season.

The Magic are 10-6 away from home and will visit Washington after the break to close out a five-game road trip (2-1).

Orlando dropped an 89-87 overtime decision to Atlanta at Amway Center on Feb. 10 this season and has lost four straight and five of the last six meetings in this series. The Magic have also suffered defeat in three straight and nine of their previous 13 contests in the Peach State.

Wwwmoneyplays Basketball Betting News

<< Heat try to halt the Lin-sanity
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat have received plenty of attention thanks to a star-studded lineup. With a squad that tries to blow the opposition out of the building on any given day, the Heat look to deflate the recent surge the New Yor

<< Sharks aim to get on track versus Maple Leafs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of struggling clubs will try to get back in the win column tonight, as the San Jose Sharks visit the Toronto Maple Leafs for a clash at Air Canada Centre. The Sharks have been floundering on the road, posting a 1-4-

<< Flyers seek first victory at Edmonton in 11 years
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers hope that their latest victory can shake them out of their near month-long slump. They'll look to win at Edmonton for the first time in almost 11 years as they battle the Oilers. The Flyers kicked o

<< Coyotes try to keep up February run against Flames
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An excellent February has helped get Phoenix into a share of first place in the Pacific Division. The Coyotes try to keep that run going this evening against a team that just had a successful run of its own come to an end as

<< No Toews again as Blackhawks host Stars
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Blackhawks shook off the absence of captain Jonathan Toews on Tuesday to record a tight victory over the NHL's top team. No longer do they look like a team that nearly torpedoed their season at the start of the month.

Orantes elected to Tennis Hall of Fame >>
Newport, RI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Spanish star Manuel Orantes has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Orantes, who starred on the ATP World Tour in the 1970s and 1980s, defeated a top-seeded

Spurs close out Rodeo Road Trip in Denver >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle said it felt like the team hit every green light during the 1998 season until getting sideswiped in the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons. The S

Sizzling Thunder welcome Lakers to OKC >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Basketball fans will receive a nice treat before the NBA All-Star break with tonight's matchup between two of the league's best, as the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder play host to Kobe Bryant and the Los

Top-25 showdown on tap in Tallahassee >>
Tallahassee, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first place picture in the Atlantic Coast Conference will get a little clearer tonight as the fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devils head to the Donald L. Tucker Center to square off with the 15th- ranked Florida S

Hawkeyes and Badgers meet in Big Ten battle >>
Iowa City, IA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 16th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers will look to ground the Iowa Hawkeyes as they visit Carver-Hawkeye Arena for Big Ten Conference action. This will be the second encounter of this season and 155th in history

Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

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

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.