Mavs hope to get back on track against reeling Hornets

Basketball Betting Lines

03/22/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks have been a model of consistency over the last decade and are likely headed to the playoffs for a 10th straight season. Tonight they'll try to keep their road skills sharp when they make a stop in the Big Easy for a showdown with the New Orleans Hornets.

The Southwest Division-leading Mavericks have won five in a row on the road, but have dropped two of three games since a 13-game winning streak. They are coming off Saturday's 102-93 setback versus the Boston Celtics in the finale of a four-game homestand, as Dirk Nowitzki tallied 28 points and Jason Terry posted 18 in defeat.

Shawn Marion registered 16 points and Jason Kidd contributed 11 points, nine assists and six rebounds for Dallas, which went 2-2 on the homestand and is seeded third in the Western Conference, just a half-game behind No. 2 Denver.

"With the exception of the period in the fourth, we were playing from behind for most of the night," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "That made it tough. We got a seven-point lead. You've got to be able to get some stops. We didn't get stops. That was our undoing."

Over his last eight games, Marion is averaging 16.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks, while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor. Kidd is recording 12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.9 steals in 16 contests since the All-Star break.

Dallas will put its 22-12 road mark to the test Monday night.

The chances of New Orleans reaching the postseason are dwindling by the wayside, as it sits nine games off the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. The Hornets have dropped three straight and 10 of 12 games, including Saturday's 106-86 loss at Utah in the finale of a five-game road trip.

Marcus Thornton had 22 points off the bench and Darren Collison finished with 19 points and six assists for the Hornets, who went 1-4 on the trek and got 14 points and 10 boards from Emeka Okafor.

"The Jazz came out and did what they needed to do to win," Thornton said. "They executed on offense and defense and their guys played good together."

New Orleans forward David West was ejected from the game late in the first quarter after committing a flagrant foul on Utah's Kyle Korver. West had four points before exiting the game.

The Hornets will begin a five-game homestand Monday versus the Mavericks, Cavs, Trail Blazers, Lakers and Wizards, and are 21-12 as the host. Collison has filled in admirably for injured All-Star Chris Paul, averaging 18.2 points, 9.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 33 games as a starter.

Dallas has won two of three meetings with New Orleans this season and is 26-6 over the last 32 meetings between the teams. The Hornets have won five in a row as the host in this series.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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