Buck-ing the trend

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02/28/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Bucks finally put the brakes on a season-long losing streak and have a healthy dose of home games on the horizon.

The Bucks were mired in a seven-game skid and the return of star guard Michael Redd wasn't enough. Redd missed 20 games with a left patellar tendon strain and the team suffered without him, compiling a lowly 3-17 mark.

Redd returned in a loss to the division-rival Detroit Pistons on February 20 and recorded 17 points in 29:39 of action. Milwaukee's captain didn't have an immediate impact on the squad with three straight losses, but the Bucks have won two straight since. Redd has averaged 24.8 points in those five games.

Despite a 5-22 record since the turn of the new year, Milwaukee is in the midst of playing 10 of 12 games at the Bradley Center where it owns a 13-12 record this season. It would be a crazy pipe dream to think the Bucks have a chance to reach the playoffs this season, but playing at home is the best cure for Milwaukee to start righting the ship out of the Central Division basement.

After a home win versus Philadelphia on Saturday and Tuesday's victory over Golden State at the Bradley Center, the Bucks will now visit Toronto, head back home to host Chicago, then take a trip to Orlando before starting a seven-game homestand versus the Lakers, Cavaliers, Raptors, Spurs, Bobcats, Clippers and Pistons.

Friday's game against the Raptors in Canada is huge for Milwaukee, which has lost 11 in a row as the visitor. That's the worst streak since the Bucks dropped 14 straight as the guest during the 2004-05 season.

Besides needing Redd to play at a high level, Bucks guard Mo Williams has been ripping up the court lately. Williams entered Tuesday's game averaging 26.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals over the previous three contests. Williams then notched 16 points and a season-high 13 assists in the recent win over the Warriors.

Fellow guard Charlie Bell has scored in double-digits in 19 straight games after registering 20 points in Tuesday's win over Golden State. Bell has reached the 20-point mark eight times over that span.

On the injury front, guard Earl Boykins missed his third straight game with a right thumb sprain. Surgery could be in the plans for Boykins, who is expected to get another medical opinion on the thumb.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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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. 

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