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Bulls are still warming upBasketball Betting Lines12/05/2006 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago did not start the season the way it had hoped. After an impressive road victory over the Miami Heat in the season opener, the Bulls dropped nine of their next 11 contests and owned a disappointing 3-9 record. There should not be any excuses for poor play, but the new-look Bulls, who made major changes during the offseason, did go through a season-long seven game road trip where they racked up a dismal 1-6 record. Growing pains and getting used to playing with each other could be one explanation for their weak play early on. However, things are getting back to normal for Chicago, which has been eliminated in first round of the playoffs in back-to-back years. The Bulls arguably had the best offseason in the NBA, as they signed reigning Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace to a lucrative, multi-year contract, and added veteran forward P.J. Brown and promising rookies Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha through trades. A nucleus of Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni was already in place. The addition of Wallace, who has spent the six previous seasons with Central Division-rival Detroit, and Brown were going to have a huge impact on how the Bulls played. Growing pains were obvious in the beginning of the season. The Bulls were a decent defensive team before they acquired Brown and Wallace. With its two new frontcourt players, Chicago was expected to be a ferocious defensive squad. The makeup of the club was starting to look a lot like the Pistons, who had participated in the last four Eastern Conference finals and two NBA Finals during that span. Chicago crushed Dwyane Wade and the Heat 108-66 on October 31st at AmericanAirlines Arena. After just one game, the Bulls were already the talk of the NBA. Were they for real? The Bulls endured a bad slump during the next 23 days, as they were 2-9 during that span and registered their only victories against the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers. Winning games with tough defense was the plan for the new roster that executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson assembled. The Bulls allowed 100 or more points in seven games during their 2-9 stretch, and were 0-7 in those contests. Wallace seemed to be having trouble adjusting to the new surroundings, while the rest of the team was simply out of sync. The 32-year-old Wallace is expected to be the catalyst for Chicago's defense. Paxson and head coach Scott Skiles want Wallace to be the intimidating presence that he was in Detroit. The Bulls have now won five straight contests and smiles are starting to appear on the faces of the front office and the players. During its five victories, Chicago surrendered 100 or more points just once and it is starting to look like a team that is getting comfortable playing with each other. Wallace is still not playing like his old self, but glimpses of All-Star play are starting to pop up. He is not on the court for his offense. The 6-9 Wallace is expected to do the dirty work down that helps teams win the big games. There is a plan in place. Deng, Gordon and Hinrich are expected to supply the offense, while Nocioni will help out on that end of the court as well. Brown and Wallace will provide the experience and leadership which is invaluable in the playoffs and during tough times. The plan looks like it is starting to play out. The Bulls were able to bounce back after a stretch of poor play. Teams that are successful have to stick together when the going gets tough. The Central Division has some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Detroit is always a contender, while LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers look like they have a chance to be there at the end. Chicago fell off the map for a very short time, and now the Bulls are back. The Pistons and Cavaliers won't be in a two team battle for the division crown. With Deng, Gordon and Hinrich providing the offense, and Wallace leading the defensive charge, the Bulls are going to be tough to beat. It's still very early. But, Chicago already had some turmoil and have shown that it has the ability to rise above it. The new-look Bulls are still learning how to play together and their best basketball should be on the way very soon.
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks play the second of a five-game road trip, as they visit the Seattle SuperSonics tonight at KeyArena. This is the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 11th, Ray Allen pou
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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter JohnsonJUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm. MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season . ''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.'' Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain. He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday. ''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.'' Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia. Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind. With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer. Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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