Lakers take losing streak to Orlando

Basketball Betting Lines

03/07/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant and the suddenly-slumping Los Angeles Lakers have dropped two straight games and hope to get back on track Sunday afternoon against Eastern Conference power Orlando at Amway Arena.

In a rematch of last year's NBA Finals won by LA in five games, the Lakers handed the Magic a 98-92 setback on January 18 at Staples Center behind a career-high 22 points from Shannon Brown. Bryant was held to just 11 points in that one for the Lakers, who won their 15th NBA title in franchise history at Orlando's expense last summer.

The Lakers have won 17 of the last 22 matchups with the Magic. Orlando is 11-31 all-time versus Los Angeles (7-14 home, 4-17 road) during the regular season.

Los Angeles is 0-2 so far on a three-game road trip and is coming off Friday's 98-83 loss against the Charlotte Bobcats. Bryant had 26 points and Andrew Bynum added 14 points and 10 boards for the top-seeded Lakers, who got 11 points and 13 boards out of Pau Gasol.

"You have those periods during the seasons where you hit stretches where you're kind of stagnant," Bryant said. "The important thing is when you hit those stretches, you don't go backwards. You just kind of weather the storm, and you come out of it a better ball club."

LA is 17-12 away from Staples Center this season and hasn't lost three in a row since January 23-27, 2007.

Orlando will open a three-game homestand Sunday versus the Lakers, Clippers and Bulls and has won three in a row in central Florida. The Magic are unbeaten in their last four games and posted its sixth win in seven tries with Friday's 97-87 triumph at New Jersey.

Dwight Howard posted his league-leading 49th double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds, while Matt Barnes added 16 points and Jameer Nelson 15 in a winning effort. Jason Williams and Vince Carter each had 13 points for Southeast Division-leading Orlando, which is second in the Eastern Conference standings behind top-seeded Cleveland.

"It was a tough game. It's a win. There is no need to be sad. We got the job done and that's all that matters," Howard said after the game.

Howard and the Magic are 24-6 as the host this season.

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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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