Blazers hoping to maintain recent success against surging Bulls

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02/26/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers will try to remain perfect on their five-game road trip as they seek a sixth straight series victory over the Chicago Bulls this evening at the United Center.

The Trail Blazers have won four of their last six games, including the first two contests of their current swing, which they opened on Tuesday with a 102-93 victory at New Jersey. Portland kept the offense going on Wednesday, posting a 101-87 triumph at Toronto.

Brandon Roy had 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Andre Miller fell shy of a triple-double with 18 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Rudy Fernandez donated 17 points off the bench for Portland, which is eighth overall in the Western Conference, three games ahead of New Orleans and a half-game back of San Antonio.

"Last week we were a little off balance after the All-Star break," said Roy, who is averaging 23.7 points over his last three games. "Now we're starting to feel a little more comfortable as a group. Scoring 100 points [Wednesday] showed that. Now we got to keep it going on this road trip."

Portland played without center Marcus Camby because of a sprained right ankle that has him questionable for tonight.

The Trail Blazers haven't lost to the Bulls since March 26, 2007 at Chicago. Portland's current five-game winning streak in the series includes a pair of victories at the United Center.

Portland notched a 122-98 home victory over Chicago on November 23, getting 24 points and 13 rebounds from LaMarcus Aldridge as well as 18 points and seven helpers from Roy.

Luol Deng led Chicago with 25 points in that game, and he went off for a season-high 31 points in Wednesday's 120-110 victory over Indiana, the Bulls' fifth win in their last six games.

"I did a good job driving the ball early," said Deng of his scoring efforts.

Derrick Rose, who scored 14 points versus Portland earlier this year, finished with 23 points, eight assists and matched a season high with nine rebounds. He is averaging 22.8 points and 6.2 assists over his last six contests for a Chicago club that is 16-7 over its last 23 games and currently sixth overall in the East.

Chicago has also won seven of its last nine at home, while Portland has claimed victory in three straight on the road.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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