Hawks use proficient shooting to beat Pistons

Basketball Betting Lines

03/13/2010 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joe Johnson finished with 26 points, as the Atlanta Hawks used an efficient offensive performance to take a 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Josh Smith added 18 points and a career-high 11 assists for the Hawks, who shot a season-high 63 percent and made 7-of-14 from three-point range. Jamal Crawford made all three of his long-distance attempts on his way to 17 points, which helped Atlanta take its second consecutive win.

Jason Maxiell had 19 points and 12 boards for the Pistons, who were coming off Friday's victory over Washington. Will Bynum had a career-best 20 assists in that win, and Saturday, ended with 16 points and seven assists.

Richard Hamilton scored 18 points, but Detroit had just 12 points in the first quarter and never caught up.

"I think that's what hurt us," Pistons head coach John Kuester said. "I thought we were trying, but we were not taking care of the basketball, and they were making us pay on that in the first half."

The Pistons shot just 5-of-20 in the opening frame, allowing the Hawks to open up a huge lead. Atlanta used a 13-0 run to go ahead 28-7, and held a 30-12 advantage moving to the second.

The 12 points were the fewest the Hawks have allowed in the opening quarter this season.

"Any time we can come out of the gate like that, it gives us confidence throughout the game," Johnson said. "That makes us a tough team to beat. When you've got to play catch-up on the road like that, it's always tough."

Atlanta continued to pour on the points, making 15-of-18 field goal attempts in the second quarter. Jeff Teague had the last of those, a jumper with 0.4 seconds left to put the Hawks up 69-41 at the break.

However, the Pistons trimmed their deficit in the third quarter, using an 11-2 run to get within 78-64 with five minutes left.

They trailed 92-77 at the end of the frame, and got within single digits in the middle of the fourth, as consecutive baskets from Kwame Brown and Ben Gordon cut Atlanta's lead to 96-87.

But Johnson countered with a jumper, and after a few failed possessions, a Smith dunk had the Hawks ahead by 13 with 5:20 left. Almost two minutes later, Johnson drained a three before sinking a layup that put Atlanta up 107-91, and the Hawks led by double digits the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Atlanta improved to 26-7 at home this season, while Detroit fell to 7-25 on the road...The Pistons shot 49.3 percent...Gordon had 12 points for Detroit...Al Horford had 15 points for Atlanta, while Marvin Williams added 12.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.