Coming off of a formidable – but losing – playoff effort last season against the Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to start the 2011-2012 season. The team is experiencing its best early record in the prior 8 years, but are still struggling against the more proficient squads in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 to date, only 4 of those wins are against squads with records above .500.
The Playoffs have started and there are four squads in the NFC Playoffs that are looking to truly achieve the Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and the 49ers are all battling to score that coveted placement in the Super Bowl and though all four squads are incredibly abilities, only one squad will triumph.
The Jan 15 – Houston Texans against Baltimore Ravens game has the opportunity to be a dramatic and interesting game from beginning to end, or a significant letdown. The reason: both squads have seemed impressive at times this year and totally terrible at others.
On Jan 12th, things get hot when the Cavaliers enter into Phoenix to battle against the Suns. Two years ago, this would have been an amazing game with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head up in a collision course. In the age of free agency nevertheless, times surely have transformed as this game looks substantially different. Phoenix is favored by 6 points over the Cleveland Cavaliers and this appears to be a secure wager.
The United Center in Chicago will be in the spotlight as the Washington Wizards come into town to face the Bulls. In past years, this competition would have been the most difficult ticket to get as the second comeback by Michael Jordan turned the Wizards into press darlings throughout the nba. Jordan now is long retired nonetheless and the Wizards have become a great young team with vast quantities of possible waiting to be tapped. The sports book has the Chicago Bulls preferred by 8 points which sounds correct and sounds like a great wager with Chicago being cheered on at home.
While this specific contest might not have the same energy that its football version does, the Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own brand of excitement. With the conference basketball year just arrived, both the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys will make an effort to set the tone for the rest of their year with this match. In Oklahoma’s case, they’re going to be looking to continue what has been a quality start as they finished the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.
Birmingham, AL plays sponsor to the Compass Bowl on January 7th with the Panthers competing with the Mustangs. The Pittsburgh Panthers come in just after the one-year Todd Graham experiment at head coach. After taking the head coaching job at Arizona State, Graham quit his post on December 14th. Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson will don the headset for the Pittsburgh Panthers in this clash of titans. SMU comes into play with the threat of the “Death Penalty” passed on in the 1980′s still being talked about today. Former Nfl and Hawaii coach June Jones is now in his 4th year on the side lines of Southern Methodist University. The gambling line has this established at Pittsburgh (-3) with the over-under of 47 points.
The Bengals will be competing versus the Texans in pro football playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Reliant Stadium in Houston for the match up. Cincinnati concluded their year with a record of 9-7 and attained the playoffs this year as a wild card in the AFC North division. Houston concluded with a record of 10-6 and came out ahead as the top team in the AFC South this year.
The Jan 01 – Carolina Panthers at Saints match is an appealing one for Football fans and bettors. The Saints come into week 17 at 12-3. They have already wrapped up the third seed in the NFC, and the only way they’re able to improve that seeding is if San Francisco loses to 2-13 St. Louis, which does not seem likely. Therefore, New Orleans might not play their starters for the complete game and there is the likelihood quarterback Drew Brees will sit for most, if not all, of the game.
Some people have this notion that they should not spend money on New Year’s Day due to the fact if they do, they will be spending money the whole year. Plenty of people ensure that they do not spend since they do not want to lose money. But suppose you may welcome the New Year with more revenue on the day itself? Gambling is a popular vice for most people and lots of people do not truly care what day it is as long as they get to wager. For people who are basketball devotees, the Jan 1 – Memphis Grizzlies at Bulls game is an amazing game to wager on.
