Week Preview for the NBA, NHL, NCAA Basketball and the ATP Tennis
NBA Online Betting Preview: Lakers Still Looking For Answers Under D’Antoni
After climbing all the way back to .500, the Los Angeles Lakers dropped back-to-back games to the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers before Sunday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Stuck on the outside looking in on the Western Conference playoff grid, the Lakers have a tough schedule this week with back-to-back games at Houston and San Antonio on Tuesday and Wednesday, before returning home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Despite showing signs, Los Angeles has still been far too inconsistent under head coach Mike D’Antoni, and it could get worse this week. Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic will try and stop the bleeding on the heels of eight-straight losses when they visit Portland on Monday, while the Brooklyn Nets look to remain hot under interim head coach PJ Carlesimo as they go for their fourth-straight win Tuesday at Philadelphia
College Basketball Preview: Buckeyes Face Toughest Test Of Three Remaining Undefeated Teams
Each of the nation’s three remaining undefeated teams are back in action this week, with the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines set to face the toughest test as they take on Nebraska Wednesday, their final contest before back-to-back dates against No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Minnesota beginning on Sunday. The Wolverines opened their Big Ten season with consecutive blowout wins over Northwestern and Iowa, but will face a much tougher schedule this month, especially with their games against both the Buckeyes and Golden Gophers on the road. Meanwhile, the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils will host Clemson on Tuesday before their clash against No. 23 North Carolina State on Saturday, and the No. 3 Arizona Wildcats will travel to face Oregon on Thursday night.
NHL Sports Betting Preview: NHL Works To Get Season Started
With the NHL and its players announcing an agreement on the framework for a new collective bargaining agreement is in place early Sunday morning, both sides will have to work hard this week to hammer out the details of the new CBA and develop a working model for this season. Among the details that have yet to be determined for the 2013 season is the length, with the decision to go with either a 48 or 50 game season yet to be made. With the season set to begin as early as next Thursday there is an incredible sense of urgency for both sides to finish what needs to be done, and that includes all 30 teams getting back to work this week and preparing for the opening faceoff.
Tennis Sportsbook Preview: ATP Makes Final Stops Before 2013 Australian Open
With the 2013 Australian Open right around the corner, the ATP will make two separate stops this week with the ATP Heineken Open in Auckland, New Zealand, and the ATP Apia International Sydney in Sydney, Australia both taking place from Monday through Friday. While the majority of the world’s top tennis players continue to rest up for the tournament at Melbourne Park beginning next week, the odds for both of the tournaments taking place right now are available on the best online betting sites.
