Argentina, which beat the U.S. at the 2004 Athens Olympics en route to winning the gold medal, is a +1000 underdog.
The game starts at 10:15 am ET Friday and can be seen on CBC and NBC.
The early semifinal matchup Friday (8 am ET) has Spain taking on Lithuania, with Spain a -300 favorite and Lithuania a +225 underdog.
Sportingbet.com also has lots of prop bets for both games, including first team to reach 10, 20 and 50 points, as well as individual player wagers.
In quarterfinal action Wednesday, the L.A. Lakers’ Kobe Bryant scored 25 points to pace the U.S. team to a 116-85 win over Australia. LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers added 16 points.
Argentina edged Greece 80-78, with the San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginóbili scoring 24 points and Carlos Delfino adding 23. Antonis Fotsis led Greece with 17 points, while Kostas Tsartsaris finished with 13.
Lakers’ center Pau Gasol scored 20 points to lead Spain to a 72-59 win against Croatia. Felipe Reyes added 13 points for Spain, while Toronto Raptors’ point guard Jose Calderon had 10.
And Lithuania beat host China 94-68. Sarunas Jasikevicius scored 23 points to lead Lithuania. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming had 19 points for China.
The semifinal winners meet in the gold medal game on Sunday, while the losers play for the bronze, also Sunday.
Check out this Dark Knight trailer featuring Kobe Bryant as Batman taking it to a crazed Kevin Garnett as the Joker. The spoof also features cameos by David Stern as the commissioner and Phil Jackson as Alfred. This funny finals preview highlights the historic rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers incorporating the iconic comic book characters from the Batman and the Dark Knight series in a new Rotohog.com sports spoof. Will the Dark Knight / Black Mamba prevail over the Jokers / KG’s antics… stay tuned. NEW Dark Knight – # 4?
We usually see the Heattake on the Lakers, at Christmas time, but since Kobe and Shaq are over their little tiff i guess the NBA decided to mix it up a bit.
The Miami Heat(7-19) bring their weak offense into Cleveland for a Christmas spanking. The Heat are an embarrassing 3-9 on the road and Shaq’s not getting any better with age. They average 94 PPG (#21) that’s with Dwayne Wade in the game, they’re even worse without him. On defense they’re average and they allow 98 PPG. You would think with all the big guys they have their defense would be the best part of their game. The Heat are dead last in the Southeast Standings.
The Cleveland Cavaliers(12-15) and LeBron James are going to give us a nice present on Christmas day. An all out slammin, jammin air attack on the Heat. LeBron knows everybody will have their TVs tuned in and he’ll be putting on a show. The Cavs are7-5 at home and their offense averages 96 PPG. The majority of their points come from LeBron in the paint and they are the ninth best team from the 3-point line. On defense they aren’t the greatest, but against the Heat offense this shouldn’t be a problem. The Cavs are 3rd in the Central Standings.
Bottom Line: It’s going to be the LeBron James Christmas Special with the Cavs sending the Heat back home with lumps of coal in their stockings.
By Scott Burgess
Tip Off: Tue, Dec 25, 2007 5:00 PM ET
Stay tuned to BodogLife for odds.
The L.A. Lakers play host to the Phoenix Suns, at the Staples Center, for some Xmas day B-Ball.
The Phoenix Suns(18-8) have seven wins in their last ten games after they recently lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 105-108, on the road. The Suns have the most powerful offense in the league which averages 109 PPG. They’re the best team in the paint and they have the eighth best 3-point percentage. They have a starting lineup that’s stacked and they’ve got a talented bunch coming off the bench. The Suns sit in 1st place in the Pacific Standings, with the Lakers close behind, and their 11-5 on the road..
The L.A. Lakers(15-10) lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 90-94, on the road giving them six wins in ten games. Kobe Bryant is still the main man in L.A who averages 26 PPG. The Lakers offense is ranked in the top ten in PPG and from inside the paint. On defense they allow a high 101 PPG but their field goal %, 3-point shooting and free throws are all ranked in the top ten. They can still bring the rock to the hole. The Lakers sit in 2nd place in the Pacific Standings and their 9-4 at home.
Bottom Line: The Lakers beat the Suns, at home, the last time these two teams met up. It’s always a good battle but the Lakers have had their numbers lately. The Lakers are 2-4 SU on Xmas Day since 2000.
By Scott Burgess
Tip Off: Tue, Dec 25, 2007 8:00 PM ET
Stay tuned to BodogLife for odds.
I’m not sure what the NBA was thinking when they matched this game up on Xmas Day. The Portland Trailblazers(14-12) play host to the hurting Seattle Sonics(7-19), at the Rose Garden, for a NBA Feast.
The Portland Trailblazers are one of the hottest and most surprising teams in the league right now. They have nine wins in ten games. Their offense and defense are clicking on all cylinders with no sign of slowing down. Brandon Roy is their go to guy who averages 19 PPG, 6 REB and he leads his team in steals. They are good for 95 PPG and they allow an average 97 PPG. They’re the fourth best team right now at sinking the 3-pointer and their the eighth best at stopping it. They are currently 11-3 at home and they sit in 2nd place in the Northwest Standings.
The Seattle Sonics are just plain AWFUL and they only have seven wins on the year, five in their last ten. Their offense pulls up lame in the paint and they can’t shoot the 3-pointer. They average 97 PPG (#15) and it’s very rare for any Sonics player to score over 20 PPG. They basically have no defense, which gives up a high 105 PPG. The Sonics are currently 4-10 on the road and they sit in 4th place in the Northwest Standings.
Bottom Line: It’s not going to be a Merry Christmas for the Sonics because the Trailblazers are going to humiliate them. Go Portland!
By Scott Burgess
Game Day: Thurs, Dec 13, 2007 10:30 PM ET
Stay tuned to BodogLife for odds.
The L.A. Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs, at the Staples Center, for some slammin NBA action.
The S.A. Spurs(17-4) will still be without Tim Duncan and his team mates are feeling it after their recent, 84-96, road loss to the Golden State Warriors. Tony Parker had a bad night with 11pts and the surprise for the Spurs was Chris Bonner’s 25pt, 17 REB night. The Spurs are golden in the paint and at the 3-pointer but without Duncan it’s not the same. On defense they allow their opponents too many points inside the paint and at the 3-point line. The Spurs are 5-4 on the road.
The L.A. Lakers(12-8) are riding a three game win streak, two on the road, and their most recent, 123-113, home win over the Golden State Warriors. Kobe Bryant had 28pts on the night and big man under the net Lamar Odem had 14pts and 10 REB. The Lakers put up the 3rd most points in the league and their 3-point shooting and field goal percentage are all ranked in the Top 10. Their defense is just as good stopping the 3-pointer and shutting down opponents inside the paint. Kobe Bryant is their go to guy averaging 27 PPG, 5 AST and 2 SPG.The Lakers are 7-4 at home.
Bottom Line: The Spurs are garbage without Duncan and they’ll be on the road, where their just above .500. At one point in the Spurs – Warriors game, the Warriors took a commanding 22pt lead. The Lakers will steal another win from the Spurs!
By Scott Burgess
Game Day: Tue, Dec 11, 2007 10:30 pm ET
Stay tuned to BodogLife for odds.
The Golden State Warriors (11-9) will host the San Antonio Spurs (17-3), at the AT&T Center, for some slammin NBA action. The last time these two met up in S.A., the Spurs walk away victorious 104-98
The Golden State Warriors are coming off , 113-123, road loss to the L.A. Lakers. Baron Davis led with 20pts and 8 REB. The Warriors are the highest scoring teams in the league averaging an amazing 110 PPG. They are shooting 45% from the field and their ranked 5th in the league at offensive rebounding. They could be one of the hottest teams if their defense wasn’t so bad. They give up a league high 108 PPG and they can’t slow down their opponents in the paint or at the 3-point line. The go to guy for the Warriors is Baron Davis averaging 23 PPG, 8 AST and 3 steals per game. The Warriors are 3rd in the Pacific Standings and their 5-5 at home.
The San Antonio Spurs are rolling along just fine winning 9 of 10. They recently beat the Utah Jazz, 104-98, at home. Manu Ginobili had 37pts, 6 AST and 8 REB on the night. The Spurs have been without Tim Duncan and their still cleaning house. They’re averaging 101 PPG and they rock in the paint and at the 3-pointer. One thing they don’t do well at is offensive rebounding. On defense their ranked 3rd in points allowed averaging a low 92 PPG but they struggle to defend in the field. The Spurs have incredible offense on and off the bench. They’re currently 4-4 on the road and their in 1st place in the Southwest Standings.
Bottom Line: The Spurs will be without their top performer Tim Duncan when they go up against the leagues highest scoring team. The Spurs won’t be able to keep the score up when the Warriors go up against their weak defense. Let’s go Warriors!
By Scott Burgess
Game Day: Thurs, Nov 29, 2007 10:30 PM ET
Odds provided by BodogLife
The Golden State Warriors (+2) will host the Houston Rockets (-2) tonight, at the Oracle Arena, for some NBA action.
The Golden State Warriors (7-7) are enjoying a four game win streak after their most recent, 103-96, road win over the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors have the highest scoring average in the NBA; they average 108PPG. They’re in the Top 10 for rebounds thanks to Andris Biedrins. They can be a top contender again this year if it wasn’t for their poor defense. They allow 108PPG and they give up to many points in the paint and from the 3-point line. Baron Davis leads his team with 24PPG, 6APG and 2 steals per game. Adris Biedrins leads in rebounds and blocks. The Warriors are 2-4 at home and they sit in 3rd place in the Pacific Standings.
The Houston Rockets (9-7) are riding a three game win streak after their most recent, 100-94, road win over the Phoenix Suns. Even winning three in a row can’t make up for their weak defense. Their good for a low 95PPG. In the paint they’re ranked 22nd and from the 3-point line their ranked 27th. What happened guys. Defense is where the Rockets make it up. They allow the second lowest 92PPG, they can shut opponents down in the paint and they’ve got the 8th best ranking at defensive rebounding. TheRockets are 5-4 on the road and they sit in 4th place in the Southwest Standings.
Bottom Line: The Warriors are riding high off their recent road win over the offensive power house Suns. With the Rockets great defense look for a lot of long bombs from the perimeter.
By Scott Burgess
Game Day: Mon, Nov 26, 2007 10:30 PM ET
Odds provided by BodogLife
The Phoenix Suns (-5) make their way into Cali to take on the Golden State Warriors (+5) tonight for some slammin NBA action, at the Oracle Arena.
The Phoenix Suns(11-2) have won 8 straight games after beating the L.A. Clippers, 113-94, at home. Nash, Marion, Stoudemire and Hill had 20pts on the day. The Suns are all about offense. They’re currently ranked 1st in PPG averaging 108pts and they excel with their sharpshooters in the paint. Steve Nash has been nailing the 3-pointers lately. Defensively they give up too many points, which is OK since they sink so many. Steve Nash leads his team in points and assists, while Stoudemire leads in steals and blocks. The Suns are currently 6-1 on the road and they sit in 1st place in the Pacific Standings.
The Golden State Warriors (5-7) are enjoying back to back road wins over the Wizards, and most recently, the 76ers, 100-98 (OT). Monte Ellis had a huge night, contributing 30pt. The Warriors are good for 107pts per game, with the majority of them coming from inside the paint. Unfortunately they don’t have any decent 3-point shooters or free throw shooters. Defensively is where the Warriors are hurting. They give up a league high 109 PPG, and they haven’t figured out how to stop their opponents in the paint or at the perimeter. The Warriors are currently 1-4 at home and they sit in 4th place in the Pacific Standings.
Bottom Line: Without a doubt, i think the Suns will beat the Warriors but i don’t think they’ll beat the O/U 229 posted by BodogLife. Bet the UNDER 229!
By Scott Burgess
Game Day: Tue, Nov 20, 2007 8:35 PM ET
Stay tuned to BodogLife for odds
The Dallas Mavericks(7-2) will host the Toronto Raptors (5-5), at the American Airlines Center, for some slammin NBA action.
The Dallas Mavericks are coming off three consecutive home wins. In their last win over the Memphis GrizzliesDevin Harris, Dirk Nowitski and Josh Howard each contributed over 20pts. The Mavs are averaging 103pts a game and their currently one of the best teams in the paint. They make 82% of their free throws but they struggle making offensive rebounds. Defensively they allow 95pts a game and they do very well at defensive rebounding. The top producer is Josh Howard who averages 22pts a game and DeSagana leads the Mavs in the paint, rebounds and blocks. The Mavs are currently 5-0 at home and they sit in 3rd place in the Southwest Standings.
The Toronto Raptors are coming off a, 100-106, home loss to the Golden State Warriors. T.J. Ford was the big producer last game banning down 29pts and Chris Bosh had an off night getting only 11pts. The Raptors are good for 99pts a game with their strengths coming at the 3-point line and at the free throw line. Defensively the Raptors are allowing 96pts a game and they struggle stopping their opponents in the paint. The top producer for the Raptors is Chris Bosh averaging 16pts a game and he leads in rebounds and blocks. The Raptors are currently 3-1 on the road and they sit in 2nd place in the Atlantic Standings.
Bottom Line: The Mavs are too strong playing at home. The Raptors are doing well, but they don’t have the defense to keep up with the Mavs offense. The Mavs will go a perfect 6-0 at home..
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