12/27/2006 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers open a brief two-game homestand when they host the injury-riddled New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets tonight at the Rose Garden.
This is the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 10th, Zach Randolph scored 31 points, pulled in 12 rebounds and sank the winning free throw with 2.4 seconds left to lead the Trail Blazers to a 92-91 victory over the Hornets at the Rose Garden.
The Hornets have dropped two of their last three at Portland. These teams have split the last six contests in this series.
New Orleans/Oklahoma City is scheduled to host the Trail Blazers on January 29, 2007 at the Ford Center in the third and final meeting of the campaign between the squads.
Portland has lost two in a row. On Tuesday, Shawn Marion scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Leandro Barbosa poured in 22 points off of the bench as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Trail Blazers, 110-87, at US Airways Center.
Zach Randolph scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Jarrett Jack netted 18 in the loss to the Suns for Portland. Juan Dixon ended with 13 points for the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers are 6-7 at home this season. The will host the new-look Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
New Orleans/Oklahoma City wraps up a short two-game road trip this evening. On Tuesday, the Hornets may have suffered a bigger loss during the game than at its conclusion, as Chris Paul's ankle injury overshadowed Luke Ridnour's 27- point, nine-assist performance in Seattle's 102-94 victory over the Hornets at KeyArena.
Paul collapsed to the floor in agony about midway through the second period and could not put any weight on the ankle. He was carried off the floor and did not return after scoring six points with seven assists in just under 11 minutes.
X-rays on Paul's ankle were negative, but the star point guard is listed as out indefinitely. Paul leads the team in scoring (18.4 ppg) and assists (9.0 apg).
Jannero Pargo finished with 23 points on 10-of-21 from the field in the loss to Portland for the Hornets. Desmond Mason scored 21 points and grabbed seven boards for the Hornets, who have lost two straight and six of their last seven games overall.
The Hornets continue to play without Peja Stojakovic (lower back) and David West (right forearm/elbow). Stojakovic, who is averaging 17.8 points per game and last played on November 24th, is expected to miss at least two months, while West, who is averaging 17.4 points and 8.3 rebounds, has not played since November 12th and is out indefinitely.
New Orleans/Oklahoma City is 5-10 on the road this season. The Hornets return home to host Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets on Friday at the Ford Center.
<< Rockets travel to New Jersey
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Rockets wrap up a two-game road trip, as they
visit the New Jersey Nets tonight at Continental Airlines Arena.
On Tuesday, Luther Head's three-pointer drew iron with three seconds left as
the Indiana Pacers h
<< Bucks try to extend season-best winning streak at Memphis
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The streaking Milwaukee Bucks play the middle contest of a
three-game road trip when they stop off in Memphis to battle the Grizzlies at
FedExForum.
Michael Redd scored 36 points to lead the Bucks to a 114-107 victory ove
<< Heat go for third straight win in Windy City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The defending world champion Miami Heat go for their third
straight victory when they square off with the Chicago Bulls tonight at the
United Center.
All-Star Dwyane Wade had a spectacular Christmas afternoon, scoring 40 p
<< Heading South: Flyers take long slide into Florida
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers will once again try to end the
longest losing streak in franchise history, as they visit the Florida Panthers
tonight at BankAtlantic Center.
The Flyers have dropped nine straight contests t
Longhorns and Hawkeyes square off in Alamo Bowl >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With losses in their final two regular
season games, the 18th-ranked Texas Longhorns were eliminated from any shot of
repeating as national champions. Instead, they must settle for an
appe
Navy and Boston College meet in Meineke Car Care Bowl >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In the fifth annual Meineke Car Care Bowl,
the 23rd ranked Boston College Eagles will try to post their seventh
consecutive bowl victory when they battle the Navy Midshipmen at Bank of
Amer
Cat Fight in Music City >>
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Clemson Tigers of the ACC and Kentucky
Wildcats of the SEC will meet in Nashville on December 29th in the Gaylord
Hotels Music City Bowl. Clemson is 8-4 entering this bowl season, and Tommy
Bowd
Beavers and Tigers to bask in the Sun >>
El Paso, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Friday, December 29th from El Paso, Texas,
the Oregon State Beavers will clash with the Missouri Tigers in the 73rd
annual Sun Bowl.
The Beavers will participate in their fifth bowl game in
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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