Raptors face home test vs. Sixers

Basketball Betting Lines

03/07/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Raptors have been solid defenders of their home floor and will try to keep it that way Sunday afternoon versus the Atlantic Division-rival Philadelphia 76ers at Air Canada Centre.

The playoff-hopeful Raptors are 22-9 on their own court and opened a brief homestand with a 102-96 victory versus New York on Friday. Sonny Weems poured in half of his career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed nine rebounds for Toronto, which ended a four-game losing streak and sits fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Jose Calderon provided 16 points, while Amir Johnson and Jarrett Jack each totaled 14 points in a winning effort.

"Yes, we needed that one for sure after dropping four in a row," Weems said after the Raptors improved to 19-0 when holding opponents under 100 points. "I was just trying to be aggressive, going to the hoop."

Toronto is 8-3 against the Atlantic Division this season and continued to play without leading scorer Chris Bosh, who has missed seven straight games because of a balky ankle and flu-like symptoms. Bosh is listed as questionable today. Fellow forward Hedo Turkoglu (ankle) is also questionable versus Philly.

The Sixers, meanwhile, saw their losing streak reach five games with Friday night's 96-86 loss to the division-rival Boston Celtics at the Wachovia Center. Lou Williams netted 22 points and Elton Brand went for 17 in defeat.

"They have a lot of veterans...They're smart. They figure out a way to win," said Sixers guard Andre Iguodala, who had 14 points and nine assists.

Philadelphia, which has lost three straight on the road and is 8 1/2 games behind in the playoff race, will also visit Indiana and is 12-20 away from home this season.

The Raptors have won the first two meetings of the season with Philadelphia and three straight overall. They are 11-4 in the past 15 matchups with the 76ers, who have dropped seven of 12 trips up north. These two teams will meet again on April 3 in the City of Brotherly Love.

Bosh is averaging 26.0 points and 10.5 rebounds against the Sixers in 2009-10.

Niftu Basketball Betting News

<< Heat suspend Alston indefinitely
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat announced they have suspended guard Rafer Alston indefinitely. The team's statement said Alston, who made contact with the Heat via text message, has "made himself otherwise unavailable t

<< Resurgent Red Wings try to get over on rival Blackhawks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings are making a strong push for the playoffs, but the perennial postseason participants still have a long way to go if they want to catch the Chicago Blackhawks, who'll be hosting their longtime Central Div

<< Lions battle Zags in WCC Tournament semifinals
Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 18th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs are the top- seeded team in the West Coast Conference Tournament, and they begin play at the event with a semifinal-round matchup against the fifth-seeded Loyola Marymount Lions.

<< SEC showdown pits Gators against Wildcats
Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked Kentucky Wildcats close out the regular season this afternoon with an SEC clash against the Florida Gators, who need a victory to help their NCAA Tournament prospects. Losses in the last two

<< Shockers battle Panthers for MVC Tournament crown
St. Louis. MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gunning for their second straight Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship, top-seeded Northern Iowa takes on second-seeded Wichita State in the title game this afternoon at the Scottrade Center in St.

Predators to host Canucks in key conference clash >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the Vancouver Canucks continue on a record sequence of road games, the Nashville Predators have been enjoying their time at home as of late. The playoff-hopeful Predators shoot for a third straight win at Bridgestone

30 Something: Durant, Thunder visit Kings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder will close out a three-game road trip Sunday against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena. Durant led the Thunder to a 104-87 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, pu

Flames aim for revenge against division-rival Wild >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Calgary Flames will have an opportunity to avenge a recent shutout loss to the Minnesota Wild when the two Northwest Division foes face off for the second time in less than a week this afternoon at the XCel Energy Center.

France finishes off Germany, 4-1 >>
Toulon, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - France and Germany split a pair of dead rubbers on Sunday, as the French finished off a 4-1 victory in a first-round Davis Cup matchup. France should have its hands full with two-time defending cha

Bruins carry impressive road streak into Pittsburgh >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after getting a season-long road trip off to a desired start, the Boston Bruins will try to keep up their recent success in enemy venues when they visit Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena this afternoon for a battle with the d

Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game

How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.

The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).

Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.

The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).

Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.