Hawks host Raptors in key Eastern Conference matchup

Basketball Betting Lines

04/09/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third seed in the Eastern Conference is still up for grabs and the Atlanta Hawks are in the running for it. Tonight the Hawks will try to move closer to that goal when they shoot for an 11th straight win at home versus the Toronto Raptors.

The Hawks are tied with Boston for the No. 3 spot in the East thanks to a 32-7 record at Philips Arena this season. However, they have lost two straight and three of four games, including Wednesday's 90-88 setback at Detroit. Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jamal Crawford led the way with 19 points and Marvin Williams contributed 17 points and nine rebounds in defeat, Atlanta's sixth in a row as the visitor.

"We put ourselves in a good position every time, playing well for 3 1/2 quarters," Crawford said. "In the last five or six minutes, for whatever reason, we collapsed a little bit. That's something we're going to have to work on for the playoffs."

Al Horford contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Hawks, who again played without leading scorer Joe Johnson because of a sprained right thumb. Johnson has missed three straight games and is averaging 21.2 points this season. He is listed as questionable against the Raptors.

The banged-up and struggling Raptors are tied with Chicago for the eighth and final postseason spot in the East, and have lost three straight and six of the previous nine contests. Toronto and Chicago are scheduled to face each other Sunday at Air Canada Centre. Already without All-Star Chris Bosh due to a facial fracture, Toronto is coming off Wednesday's 115-104 home loss to Boston.

Sonny Weems finished with a career-high 21 points in place of Bosh, while Andrea Bargnani, Antoine Wright and Jarrett Jack each had 17 points for Toronto, which got 14 points from DeMar DeRozan. Forward Hedo Turkoglu had two points before leaving late in the first quarter after bumping heads with Boston's Tony Allen. Turkoglu sustained a nasal contusion and was taken to the hospital for a CT scan. He is questionable for tonight's game.

"I thought (our guys) played their asses off," Raptors head coach Jay Triano said. "I thought they played as hard as they could. I commended them for their effort after the game; they really battled."

Jack is questionable for Friday with a balky ankle. Toronto owns a 14-25 mark away from Canada this season. Since being inserted into the starting lineup on March 26 versus Denver, Weems is averaging 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds.

Atlanta has won two of three meetings with the Raptors this season and six of the previous eight matchups between the teams. Toronto is winless in its last four visits to Dixie.

Blackjakc Basketball Betting News

<< Celtics jockey for playoff position against Wizards
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics are fighting for the third spot in the Eastern Conference and will try to continue their recent dominance of the Washington Wizards tonight from TD Garden. Boston, which is tied with Atlanta for the thir

<< Cavs and Pacers clash at the "Q"
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's understandable that the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers would rest some of their players before the postseason begins next weekend, but it's important to establish some sort of rhythm entering the playoffs. Cleveland w

<< Heat shoot for 10th straight win; face Pistons
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat have been beating up on the also-rans of the NBA during their nine-game winning streak and will try to stay on track tonight against the lowly Detroit Pistons at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Heat have beaten

<< Twins roll into Chicago for Central clash
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Francisco Liriano gets another chance to prove he is all the way back when the Minnesota Twins begin a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox this evening at U.S. Cellular Field. Liriano burst upon the scene in 2006,

<< Red Sox begin early trek with stop in Kansas City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Wakefield beings his 18th big league season this evening, when the Boston Red Sox open a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Wakefield, who is in his 16th year with the Red Sox, was limit

Bulls resume playoff push in New Jersey vs. lowly Nets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls are still alive for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference and will hit the road for two straight games starting with Friday's bout against the New Jersey Nets at the IZOD Center. Chicago is

Bobcats make a stop in Houston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fresh off securing the first playoff berth in franchise history, the Charlotte Bobcats get back to work in south Texas when they face off with the Houston Rockets. D.J. Augustin made a key three-pointer with 15.8 seco

Ginobili, Spurs welcome Grizzlies to Alamo City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Star swingman Manu Ginobili got his new contract and he now hopes to help his San Antonio Spurs free themselves of a log-jam in the Western Conference playoff standings tonight when the Memphis Grizzlies visit the Ala

Thunder host Suns at Ford Center >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Western Conference contenders jockey for playoff position in Oklahoma City tonight, when the Thunder host the streaking Phoenix Suns. The scorching Suns have won 11 of 12 and are now deadlocked with Dallas fo

Reds play host to Cubs in series opener >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams coming off their first victories of the season clash tonight when the Chicago Cubs visit the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series between National League Central foes at Great American Ball Par

MySportsbook features easy-to-use online betting software that’s the most reliable in the industry. If you’re looking to bet underdogs, then this Sportsbook is the place - we have the best betting lines in the business. MySportsbook is your one-stop shop for all your betting needs - sports betting, poker, casino, and horse racing . MySportsbook offers every bet type with lightning fast settlement of wagers. Take advantage of free statistical analysis - including against-the-spread and straight-up trends - in MySportsbook’s game previews section. With MySportsbook there are unlimited free deposits and payouts - and no transaction fees!

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