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Lakers hold edge after physical first half in Game 1 of NBA Finals

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06/03/2010 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant scored 12 points in a first half best summarized by physical play and foul trouble, as the Los Angeles Lakers hold a 50-41 halftime edge over Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

In a championship series matching the last two NBA champions, the defending- champion Lakers matched Boston's highly-publicized defensive intensity in the opening 24 minutes.

Lamar Odom was whistled for three fouls while three other Lakers have two fouls at the half. Tony Allen and Ray Allen each are saddled with three fouls for the Celtics.

The Lakers sprinted to a double-digit edge behind a late first-half surge. Holding a 37-35 advantage, the home team rattled off an 11-2 stretch capped by Derek Fisher's driving layup for a 48-37 lead with just under one minute to play.

Gasol added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Rajon Rondo led Boston with 10 points, including a jumper to beat the buzzer and cut the deficit to 50-41 at the half. Andrew Bynum started for the Lakers despite having fluid drained from his right knee earlier in the week, scoring seven points with five rebounds in 14 minutes.

The first quarter featured bodies flying and a physicality typical of this rivalry. Ron Artest and Paul Pierce, arms tangled under the basket, hit the hardwood simultaneously and were whistled for a double technical just 27 seconds in.

The Lakers held a 16-10 lead over halfway in on a Gasol putback off a Bryant miss. Boston cut the deficit to one late in the period but Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown each streaked through the lane for successive layups and a 26-21 edge after 12 minutes of game action.

The first quarter featured more personal fouls (18) than field goals (16), a combination of solid defense and first-quarter nerves.

The 2010 NBA Finals marks the Lakers' 31st trip to the championship series and Boston's 21st appearance with 12 of those overlapping in clashes between the NBA's two storied franchises.

<< Rookie Dillon captures Texas pole
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<< Three share Memorial lead; Woods seven back
Dublin, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Justin Rose carded a seven-under 65 early Thursday to grab a share of the lead after the opening round of The Memorial. Later in the day, Rose was joined atop the leaderboard at Muirfield Village Golf

Johnson continues to shine as Marlins slip past Brewers >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ronny Paulino paced the offense with two runs batted in, while Josh Johnson was solid in seven innings on the mound, as the Florida Marlins held off the Milwaukee Brewers, 3-2, in the finale of a four- game se

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Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Quentin atoned for a missed catch by clubbing the go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning, boosting the White Sox to a 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers to avert a three-game sweep. Quentin dropp

Jae An leads Canadian Tour event in Victoria >>
Victoria, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jae An fired an eight-under 62 Thursday to grab a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the Times Colonist Open. An, who is in his first full year on tour, matched the course record at Uplands

Celtics-Lakers, Box >>
BOSTON (89)Pierce 6-13 12-13 24, Garnett 7-16 2-2 16, Perkins 2-2 4-5 8, Rondo 6-14 1-4 13, R.Allen 3-8 6-6 12, T.Allen 1-4 2-2 4, Wallace 3-4 2-2 9, Davis 1-3 1-2 3, Finley 0-0 0-0 0, Robinson 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 29-67 30-36 89.L.A. LAKERS (102)Ar

Celtics' powerful defense missing in Game 1 >>
LOS ANGELES (AP) -The team that used to do the pushing turned into pushovers.The guys in green couldn't take nearly as well as they gave two years ago, and if they don't regain their toughness, the Boston Celtics might quickly be shoved right off th

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. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.