Dallas Sports Fan – Mavs Head Into Break In Good Shape, Stars Slipping, Young Looks To Stay
February 17, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
College basketball lines are getting some attention in the Dallas area, but our focus will be on the pro teams, such as the Mavericks, who play in the final game before the NBA All-Star break. The Stars are really starting to fall down the pecking order in the Western Conference, while the Rangers are looking to kick off spring training with one of their veterans still in tow.
The Mavericks are one of the league’s hottest teams heading into the All-Star as they had won 12 of their last 13 prior to their meeting in Phoenix with the Suns on Thursday night. In fact, their lone loss was a one-point loss in Denver last Thursday thanks to a last-second shot to by Aaron Afflalo, but they bounced back to win by four in Houston on Saturday, then they blew out Sacramento by 16 at home on Wednesday night. No matter what happens in Phoenix on Thursday, the Mavericks will be second in the Southwest behind San Antonio, as well in the conference standings. Dirk Nowitzki will make his 10th All-Star appearance in Los Angeles, and he’ll also take part in the Shooting Stars Competition on Saturday night with Roneeka Hodges of the WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars, as well as the retired Kenny Smith, formerly of the Houston Rockets.
Let the NHL trade rumors begin for the Stars, who are 2-7-1 in their last 10 and have dropped three straight ahead of a trip to Vancouver on Saturday. Their only win was a 4-3 victory in the shootout at home against Chicago last Friday, then they lost to Columbus at home on Sunday, followed by losses in Edmonton and Calgary on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Stars have scored four goals in those three losses, and Brad Richards was injured against the Blue Jackets, making him unavailable until Saturday at the earliest. Some say the vultures are starting to swirl around the Stars, and their fans would think that a trade of Richards would be a white flag on the season, so Dallas is in a tough spot. After the game in Vancouver, the Stars will host surging New Jersey on Tuesday before heading to Detroit on Thursday.
Most baseball betting players figured that Michael Young wouldn’t make it to training camp as he stated his unhappiness with the Rangers for turning him into a utility man or designated hitter. But Young is expected to be in camp on Saturday, although the Rangers are still looking at trade possibilities for the 34-year-old, who is being asked to move for the third time in his career by the Rangers. Florida has apparently moved into the conversation, although we all know how fiscal they are, and Young has $48 million over three years left on his deal. Still, Young is productive enough to help any team’s online sports betting odds.
Rangers Holding Onto Top Spot; Mavs, Stars Going Through Motions
May 24, 2010 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Take a break from those Champions League betting odds for a minute, and check out how Dallas’ teams are doing right now as only one is in season, while the other two are looking at their offseason options.
The Rangers rebounded from a sweep in Toronto to take both of their games at home against the Los Angeles Angels, and they took the first game of their two-game set with Baltimore on Wednesday. Nelson Cruz led the way with nine RBIs over the last week, while Vladdy Guerrero added a homer and six RBIs. Starters C.J. Wilson and Rich Harden struggled over the week, but Naftali Feliz converted both of his save opportunities.
The next week brings a visit from the Chicago Cubs, and MLB baseball betting odds should favor the Rangers at home, where they were 16-7 as of Thursday. Then, the Rangers will head to Kansas City for a two-game set with the lowly Royals.
The Mavericks are still trying to figure out if they have cap room this year, as Dirk Nowitzki has a player option for $21.5 million this year. It’s highly unlikely that the Mavericks will be parting ways with their star, who has spent all 12 of his NBA seasons in Dallas, but their major mission would be to get rid of Erick Dampier, who is slated to make $13.1 million next season, which is outlandish. Caron Butler’s contract is also expiring like Dampier’s after next year, but the thing with him is, he can be productive. The Mavericks may try and re-sign Brendan Haywood, who took Dampier’s job after he was traded from Washington with Butler. The Mavericks likely won’t be a major player in this year’s free-agent bonanza, but they should have plenty of cap space for 2011, when there will be an impressive list of players on the market.
NHL betting players saw Dallas decline to offer another contract to long-time goalie Marty Turco, who will be looking for a new team after eight years with the franchise, and the Stars instead signed Kari Lehtonen to a $10.65 million contract over four years. The Stars picked Lehtonen up from Atlanta in February, and even though he played just 12 games in Dallas, it was enough to make him the No.1 guy going forward. Lehtonen is 26 years old, so he’s heading into the prime of his career, and he has career numbers of a 2.87 GAA, and a .912 save percentage. Those are decent numbers when you consider that he played behind some pretty awful defenses in Atlanta. With Lehtonen between the pipes, the Stars could be a solid betting darkhorse next season.
Questions about Lebron James Future
May 14, 2010 by James · Leave a Comment
And now the most anticipated sports contract ever – finally upon us. After falling to Boston 4-2, NBA free agencies season has officially begun. Stay? Go? Are the tools in place in Cleveland? Move and build? Shaq did it. What about a change of scenery? New York? Chicago? Miami? Sacramento? Yes, apparently the Kings are on the radar. The sports world remains a buzz.
Win a championship in Cleveland this year and Lebron stays? Likely. Lose in the in the conference finals and Lebron stays? Possibly. Our world seems rocked that the Cavs lost to the Celtics in six. Coming off the game 5 performance, James faced criticism for his lackluster 3-for-14 performance. In game six James responded with a triple-double (27-19-10), but during the final minutes remained somewhat carefree, emotionally spent.
Not to say an entire career decision rests on a week of poor play, or a series, but the larger factors need to be considered. Are the pieces in place? It seems every year Cleveland tries a new player here, or there. The plan changes, but the outcome remains the same. Back to Cavs, the real loser in this entire scenario is the city of Cleveland. This was supposed to be the year the Cavs won the title — or at least reached the NBA Finals. Now, it seems the Cavs’ poor showing against the Celtics will make it more likely James will sign elsewhere this summer. One more win, one more series, and this might have had a different outcome.
July 1st is right around the corner.
Final 4 Game Information
March 29, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
The last chance for a team from Texas to win the 2010 NCAA tournament with Baylor Bear’s loss to the Duke Blue Devils. However that is no reason to fret because there is plenty of great march madness college basketball left with the Final 4 games and the NCAA tournament championship. The Final 4 teams are Michigan State, West Virginia, Butler, and Duke. The Final 4 Games will be played on April 3rd and the match ups will be Michigan State vs Butler and West Virginia vs Duke.
@JerodMSF has some great final four previews over at Midwest Sports Fans for the NCAA Tournament, and below you will find links to all the information you need to know for the Final 4 Games:
- Final Four TV Schedule – Announcers & Spreads
- West Virginia-Duke Preview – Tickets – Tip Time – Poll
- Butler-Michigan State Preview – Tickets – Tip Time – Poll
March Madness 2010 Schedule Guide
March 22, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
March Madness 2010 is here and this year, like every year will be exciting to watch. So check how many sick days you have left and prepare to use them accordingly. Make sure you don’t miss any important 2010 March Madness games, dates, or anything else. With plenty of greatness to watch here are the important 2010 March Madness Schedule dates to know:
March 14: Selection Sunday
March 16: Opening Round Game at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio
March 18th and 19th: First round games of 2010 NCAA Tournament
March 20th and 21st: Second round games of 2010 NCAA Tournament
March 25th and 26th: Sweet 16 games
March 27th and 28th: Elite 8 games
April 3rd: Final Four in Indianapolis
April 5th: NCAA Championship Game (Indianapolis)
Great Tickets are still available to March Madness games:
March Madness Tickets on StubHub.com!
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March Madness: Selection Sunday – NCAA Tournament 2010
March 10, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
March Madness is already here, but the NCAA Tournament doesn’t begin until Selection Sunday. For those of you who don’t know this the day when the participants of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament are announced. TV Coverage will be available on both CBS and ESPN, but the CBS TV Channel will be a few seconds ahead of the ESPN TV coverage because CBS has the rights.
The selections announced on Sunday made up of the 30 teams that automatically qualify by winning their conference tournaments, and the at large teams that the selection committee chooses. After all the teams are selected the selection committee must then be seeded or ranked. This seeding or ranking is done by the selection committee.
March Madness Selection Sunday: TV Channel – Time – Coverage
Selection Sunday TV Channel: CBS
Selection Sunday TV Time: 5:00PM Central Time
Selection Sunday Coverage: CBS & ESPN after the Selection Sunday Broadcast
Experience March Madness live in person with NCAA Tournament Tickets from StubHub!
Mountain West Tournament Preview: Bracket, Tickets, TV Schedule & History
March 8, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
With the Mountain West regular season schedule now over the men’s basketball tournament is right around the corner. Find out all you need to know about the Mountain West Conference tournament including the Bracket, Tickets, TV Schedule & Tournament History right here. The participants in the 2010 Mountain West Conference Tournament by seed are:
- 1.) New Mexico
- 2.) BYU
- 3.) UNLV
- 4.) San Diego State
- 5.) Colorado State
- 6.) Utah
- 7.) TCU
- 8.) Wyoming
- 9.) Air Force
The teams to beat will definitely be New Mexico and BYU. New Mexico is the #1 seed of the tournament which is no surprise after the went 28 – 3 this season and 14 – 2 in Mountain West Conference play. BYU also won 28 games, but lost 4 regular season games and went 13-3 in Mountain West Conference play earning them the #2 seed.
The Mountain West Conference tournament will tip off with #8 seed Wyoming playing #9 seed Air Force playing a game to see who will play #1 seed New Mexico the next day ( March 11 2010 ).
Mountain West Tournament 2010 Bracket & Schedule
PAC-10 Mens Basketball Tournament Preview: Bracket, TV Schedule, Tickets & History
March 5, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · 1 Comment
The 2010 PAC-10 tournament is just around the corner and we have schedule and bracket information for you just in time to help cure your 2010 March Madness. This years PAC-10 Tournament Participants will be:
- University of Arizona – Wildcats
- Arizona State – Sun Devils
- University of California – Bears
- University of Oregon – Ducks
- Oregon State University – Beavers
- Stanford University – Cardinals
- UCLA – Bruins
- University of Washington – Huskies
- Washington State University – Cougars
The 2010 PAC-10 Tournament team to beat will no doubt be the Cal Bears who have the best conference record at 12-5. As with any conference tournament leading up to March Madness 2010 there will be a chance for an upset, but I am going with da Bears.
PAC 10 Tournament Tickets on StubHub.com!
Get Great NCAA Tournament Tickets on StubHub.com!
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Dallas Mavericks Trade For Caron Butler
February 13, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks have just completed their rumored trade with the Washington Wizards, and the deal will be announced later tonight.
The biggest pieces in the trade are Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood going from the Washington Wizards to the Dallas Mavericks, and Josh Howard and Drew Gooden moving from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards.
Full description after the jump. mavericks-trade-for-caron-butler/#more-3380″ class=”more-link”>Read more
2010 NBA All Star 3-Point Contest
February 8, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
The 2010 NBA All Star 3-Point contest will feature All Star players battling to see who is the best from beyond the arc. This year the 3 point contest will have 6 players including defending 3-Point contest champion Daequan Cook, who isn’t shooting the 3 that well this year.
In the 3-Point Competition 5 ball racks are placed in fixed positions around the arc and each ball rack contains 5 balls. The players will have 1 minute to make it from rack to rack and shoot all 25 balls. Because of the time limit players with a quicker release have a clear advantage.
Below are the participants and their 3-point percentages for the 2010 season so far.
Daequan Cook – 30%
Chauncey Billups – 41.5%
Stephen Curry – 42.9%
Channing Frye – 43.8%
Danilo Gallinari – 40.3%
Paul Pierce – 46.7%
Looking at the percentages you would think that Paul Pierce has a clear advantage, but he is not known as a 3-Point shooter and has a slow shot release. I think Chauncey Billups will win the 3-point competition for 2010.
2010 3-Point Contest – Day & Date: Saturday – February 13th 2010
2010 3-Point Contest – Location: American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
2010 3-Point Contest – TV Channel: TNT
