Piaad 3 Basketball

Archive for the ‘Butler Basketball’ Category

The Chicago Bulls are making the most of a favorable stretch of games following the All-Star break. A visit to Washington could help extend their recent run of success.

The Bulls look to match a season high with their fifth straight victory while trying for a third consecutive win over the new-look Wizards on Monday night.

Bet on NBA Basketball @ NBA Betting

Despite trading veteran John Salmons and former first-round pick Tyrus Thomas to free up salary cap space in the hopes of pursuing some of the game’s top free agents next season, Chicago (29-26) appears focused on succeeding in the present.

Rookie Taj Gibson tied a career high with 20 points and had 13 rebounds, while Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich each scored 17 as the Bulls won 122-90 at home over Philadelphia on Saturday to remain undefeated since the All-Star break.

Oddsmakers from Online Betting SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Bulls -2

for Monday’s game against the Wizards. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 58% of more the 234 bets for this game have been placed on the Bulls -2.



Hakim Warrick, acquired from Milwaukee in the Salmons’ trade, added 15 with nine boards for Chicago, which has won six of seven and is sixth in the Eastern Conference.

“We are confident and playing really good basketball,” Rose told the Bulls’ official Web site. “I’m really excited about the guys we have here right now.”

The Bulls’ schedule out of the break has helped contribute to their success. In the midst of playing seven of eight against teams with losing records, the Bulls are averaging 113.8 points and shooting 49.3 percent in two victories over New York, and wins against Minnesota and Philadelphia in their last four games.

Chicago held the 76ers to 38.4 percent shooting, while totaling a season high for points and committing a season-low four turnovers.

“If we play like that, we are a tough team to beat,” said Hinrich, who made three 3-pointers Saturday to give him a team-record 773 for his career.

Chicago figures to be a formidable opponent for Washington (19-34), which is without suspended star Gilbert Arenas and recently traded top players Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler.

Though the Wizards have won two in a row at home since the break, the Bulls have won three of their last four trips to Washington. Chicago also won 121-119 in double overtime at home in the teams’ last meeting Jan. 15.

Rose scored a career-high 37 points and had nine rebounds with six assists in that contest. Coming off his first All-Star game appearance and still nursing a sore hip, Rose is averaging 23.0 points on 55.7 percent shooting during the team’s four-game winning streak.

The Bulls last won five in a row Jan. 22-29.

Washington fell short in a bid for its first three-game winning streak of the season, losing 109-104 at Toronto on Saturday. Though the Wizards can no longer rely on the star trio of Arenas, Jamison and Butler, they appear to feel more comfortable on the floor as a group.

“We’re getting better,” said fifth-year forward Andray Blatche, who’s averaging 9.8 points on the season but 25.0 in his last three games since becoming a starter. “I like our attitude, I like our hustle. We’re going to be a great team.”

Blatche scored 24 points and former All-Star Josh Howard had 17 with seven rebounds Saturday in his third game since Dallas traded him for Butler and Brendan Haywood. Howard, who scored 20 points in the Wizards’ 107-97 win over Denver on Friday, is averaging 19.3 points and 7.2 boards in his last four games against the Bulls.

Randy Foye, who had 14 points Saturday for the Wizards, had 22 and seven assists at Chicago last month.

Check out Bulls Vs Wizards NBA Odds at SPORTSBETTING.com

Here are the teams that I see as having a legitimate shot to win the Western Conference title for the 2009-10 NBA season, as of March 2nd.

Los Angeles Lakers: They haven’t been as dominant as they were earlier in the season, but they’re still the favorite in the conference.  Kobe Bryant has experienced some injuries, but he’s not going to let anything cause him to miss much time unless it’s really serious.  Pau Gasol continues to fly under the radar for the most part as one of the best bigs in the game.  The best thing the Lakers have going for them is their size.  With guys like Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom all capable of being on the floor at one time, the Lakers are able to overwhelm other teams with their size.

They’ve got the best coach in the league, probably in the history if the game, and are going to be incredibly difficult to beat four times in seven games.  There’s a reason that NBA Playoff tickets to see them play are so difficult to come by.

Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs pulled off a pretty major deal at the trade deadline this year, acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood from Washington.  Both players have come in and started immediately for the Mavs.  Butler gives the team a legitimate go-to scoring option when Dirk Nowitzki is on the bench, and gives them another scoring option in general.

Haywood is definitely an underrated pickup.  The former Tar Heel is one of the best defensive centers in the league and focuses on rebounding and blocking shots.  The injury to Eric Dampier has only made his presence more valuable.  Dallas now has one of the most well-rounded starting fives in the game with Butler, Haywood, Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion.  With Jason Terry coming off the bench, this team could be really dangerous in the playoffs.

Utah Jazz: The Jazz are playing good basketball and are definitely in the mix for the conference finals.  The team decided not to part ways with Carlos Boozer at the trading deadline, as he’s having a really nice season.  Boozer gives the Jazz a great post scoring option, while Paul Millsap can come off the bench and still logs significant minutes as well.  Deron Williams is having a fantastic season at the point and is finally getting some of the recognition he deserves.

One reason for Utah’s success this season is the resurgence of Ander Kirilenko.  The Russian forward has returned to form and is finding ways to alter the game again.  He scores, rebounds, passes and defends, using his length and athleticism to create havoc on both ends of the floor.  They could use a defensive presence in the middle and potentially a shooter on the wing, but they’re a solid team nonetheless.

Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets definitely have the potential to unseat the Lakers as the conference champs, but the question is whether or not they will ever realize that potential.  While they’ve got a ton of talent, they don’t always play as a team and can be easily distracted.  If they can keep focused the sky is the limit, but I have serious questions about whether or not they can hold it together for an entire series against a quality opponent.

Largest city on Connecticut River, the Spring Field is one of Metropolitan Statistical Areas of U.S state of Massachusetts.Spring Field is well known for its national sport basketball as this is the place where basketball was first invented.This is one of the best tourist destinations of U.S.There are many things to do and see while on vacation here.The must visit attractions of this city are Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure, Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site, Camp Butler National Cemetery and Lincoln’s Family Pew.Your tour to this city will remain incomplete if you don’t visit these places of interest.People from all over the world not only come for vacation but also for business and education.

As far as lodging is concerned, the hospitality industry of this city never disappoints its visitors, whether coming for pleasure or for business.There are many hotels ranging from cheap to luxury in Spring Field to choose from.

Luxury Hotels

Luxury hotels can make you feel at heaven.If you are one those who can do anything to enrich their vacation then lodging into one of the luxury hotels would be the right choice for you while on tour to this city of Massachusetts.The list of luxury and super luxury hotels of this MA city include Walnut Street Inn, the Marriott, Sheraton at Monarch Place, Hampton Inn & Suites, Courtyard by and Residence Inn.Some of these are luxury and some are super luxury hotels offering international standard services.

Sheraton at Monarch Place

Located in downtown, Sheraton at Monarch Place is the largest hotel of the city offering easy access to major tourist attractions like Basketball Hall of Fame, Six Flags New England and Eastern States Exposition etc.You can find royal accommodation with excellent services in this super luxury hotel.Some of the most popular features of Sheraton at Monarch Place are health clubs and spas.

Cheap Hotels

Need not bother much, if you are with tight budget while on a tour.The best way to balance your budget is lodging into one of the cheap hotels.This way you can reduce your expenditures and can be away from all worries of tight budget.

If you are on trip to Spring Field then be rest assured because this beautiful city houses plenty of cheap hotels.Some of the best known include Extended Stay, Holiday Inn, Quality Inn, Days Inn Battlefie, Howard Johnson Express, the Hilton, Lamplighter Inn North and Super 8 Motel etc.

Quality Inn and Suites

Quality Inn and Suites is one the cheap lodging options located at 2745 N Glenstone Ave.This two star property is 100 percent non smoking offering great services and comfortable accommodation at the most affordable rates.Whether you are on vacation or for business this is the perfect place for both lodging types.If you can’t spend much and still wish for luxury accommodation then this two star property is the right place for you.If you are one of those who want to get away from the dust and hectic life of metro cities for some enjoyment and relaxation then there is no other place like Steamboat Springs.

Besides, Spring Field offers hotels of all categories too ranging from pet friendly hotels to spa, casino, kid friendly and boutique hotels.It does not matter, whether you want to stay in the center of the city or near airport, this beautiful city has hotels in its each corner.