Rockets wrap up road trip in Memphis

Basketball Betting Lines

02/14/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Rockets will wrap up a six-game road trip tonight against the Southwest Division-rival Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

The Rockets are 3-2 on the journey and suffered a 106-97 loss at Golden State the last time out on Sunday in Oakland, where Kevin Martin led five players in double-digit scoring with 28 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Luis Scola had 14 points, while both Chandler Parsons and Courtney Lee netted 11 points.

Kyle Lowry finished with 10 points and nine assists for the Rockets, who had a three-game winning streak stopped and fell to 6-9 away from Space City. Lowry has handed out at least eight assists in 15 games this season.

"It just seemed to me like...we were playing in eight inches of water," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. "We just couldn't get going."

McHale's squad was held to a season-low 31 field goals (31-of-75), but also made a season-high 11 three-pointers (11-of-29). On the milestone watch, Scola (4,998) needs just two points to reach 5,000 for his career. Lee has reached double figures in scoring over a season-high four consecutive games.

Following tonight's game in Memphis, the Rockets will head back to the Lone Star State for a six-game residency versus Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Utah, Memphis, Philadelphia and Toronto.

The Grizzlies will put the finishing touches on a five-game homestand Tuesday and look to rebound from a recent loss versus the Jazz.

In Sunday's 98-88 setback to Utah, Rudy Gay scored a team-best 22 points and both Marc Gasol and Mike Conley posted 17 apiece for the Grizzlies, who had a two-game winning streak stopped and lost for the eighth time in 12 tries.

"We have to get better at a lot of things," Gay admitted.

Tony Allen scored 12 points in a losing cause for Memphis. The Grizzlies, who fell back to .500 at 14-14 this season, are a decent 9-5 on Beale Street this season and will pay a visit to New Jersey on Wednesday after their homestand. After playing nine of the past 12 games on the road, Memphis is in the midst of playing seven of eight games at home, including this five-game homestand.

Memphis is 13-11 since Zach Randolph has been sidelined with a torn right MCL and defeated Houston, 113-93, back on Dec. 30 this season at FedEx Forum. Randolph finished with 23 points and nine rebounds in that one and Gasol added 20 points and eight boards. Martin scored 21 points to lead the Rockets, who have still won 12 of the last 16 meetings between the Southwest foes.

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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. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.