Bucks and Bulls clash in the Second City

Basketball Betting Lines

02/22/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose recently made his return to the hardwood following a five-game absence due to lower back spasms.

Rose and the Bulls will try to give the Central Division-rival Milwaukee Bucks a few spasms Wednesday, when the two teams collide tonight at the United Center. Rose had missed the previous five games (3-2) and delivered 23 points, six assists and five rebounds during Monday's 90-70 win over Atlanta.

"He brings a lot of confidence with him, he puts so much pressure on opposing teams and players that it opens up things for everybody," Bulls guard Ronnie Brewer said of Rose.

Carlos Boozer and Brewer scored 16 and 13 points, respectively, for the Bulls, who are 7-3 without Rose this season and have won eight of their last 10 games. Joakim Noah had five points and a game-high 16 rebounds, as Chicago improved to 3-1 on a six-game homestand and 12-2 in the Windy City. Mike James and John Lucas III combined for 17 points in 26 minutes of play.

The Bulls will close out the homestand after the All-Star break versus New Orleans on Feb. 28. Guard C.J. Watson left in the third quarter of Saturday's loss to New Jersey after taking a blow to the head and did not play versus the Hawks. Watson filled in nicely for Rose and is questionable for tonight.

Milwaukee will play four of its next five games on the road and is 6-11 away from the Bradley Center this season.

The Bucks have lost eight of their last 11 games overall, including Monday's 93-90 loss versus the Orlando Magic in Brew City. Ryan Anderson buried a three-pointer with 18.1 seconds left to give Orlando the lead for good, while Brandon Jennings led the Bucks with 22 points and committed a big turnover late in the game. Ersan Ilyasova notched 15 points with 15 rebounds in defeat.

Larry Sanders finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and missed an easy layup in the paint in the closing moments of the game.

"We were probably one rebound away from winning the game," said Bucks head coach Scott Skiles, whose team has dropped six in a row at home. "We just couldn't get the rebound and Anderson drilled the shot."

Bucks forward Drew Gooden missed his third straight game with a wrist/knee ailment and is doubtful for tonight. He is averaging 12/7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season.

Milwaukee has lost the first two meetings with Chicago this season and will host the Bulls again on March 7. The Bulls have won six straight and nine of the past 12 meetings with the Bucks, who have lost three straight and 11 of their last 12 trips to the Second City.

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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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