Clippers pick up lopsided win at Atlanta

Basketball Betting Lines

02/07/2009 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Al Thornton scored a game-best 31 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a 121-97 thrashing of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.

Zach Randolph added 25 points and nine boards for the Clippers, who have won two in a row but are still just 2-7 in their last nine games. Marcus Camby donated 16 points and Baron Davis 13 with eight assists.

"It's very important for us to get on a roll," said Thornton. "It feels good that we can carry this momentum into the break."

Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson, who had missed the last two games with the flu, scored 17 points apiece for the Hawks, who had won two straight coming in. Josh Smith recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 boards; he has eight double-doubles in his last 13 games.

"It was tough, man," said Johnson. "I'm still battling a little bit of this cold, I just wanted to be out there for the guys. If I would've known we would stink it up like this I would've came in my suit."

Atlanta was without the services of point guard Mike Bibby, who sprained his left foot in Friday's 102-97 victory over the Bobcats.

The Clippers jumped out to a 27-17 lead after the first quarter and were on top 55-41 heading into the break.

Baskets from Acie Law, Williams and Smith to start the third quarter brought the Hawks within 55-47 with just under 10 minutes left in the frame.

LA's lead hovered around nine points before Randolph's three and Thornton's dunk opened a 75-61 Clippers advantage.

Thornton's fade away jumper gave the visitors a 20-point lead late in the third, but Flip Murray drained a pair of free throws to make it 90-72 heading into the fourth.

Davis' three-pointer and Steve Novak's layup gave the Clips a 100-74 lead with 9:15 left to play.

The Clippers cruised to the finish with their lead never dipping below 20 points.

Game Notes

The Clippers shot 57 percent while the Hawks hit at a 45.2 percent clip...The Hawks opened a quick two-game homestand Saturday and will also host the Washington Wizards. Atlanta is 18-6 at home this season and just completed a three-game road trip with a 2-1 mark...The Clippers moved to 2-4 on a seven- game road trip and are 7-19 as the visitor this season. The Clippers will also visit the Bobcats on their current road swing...Atlanta defeated Los Angeles, 97-80, on January 14 this season at Staples Center and had won two straight. The Clippers had dropped two in a row and 10 of their previous 13 trips to Philips Arena.

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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