11/19/2008 - Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andrea Bargnani scored a season-high 25 points, leading the Toronto Raptors over the Miami Heat, 101-95, in a tough road test at American Airlines Arena.
Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal both posted double-doubles, with Bosh recording 15 points and 11 rebounds while O'Neal had 16 points and 17 rebounds. Anthony Parker was a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc for 19 points for the Raptors, who have won two of three.
"Every time they took the lead, we came right back and got the timely stops," said Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell. "(Bargnani) and (O'Neal) were just huge for us, and then (Parker) in the second half. We just kept telling (Parker) to shoot the basketball. The guys off the bench gave us some big points."
The Raptors shot 9-of-13 from three-point range in the game, including an 8-for-8 mark to finish the game.
Dwyane Wade had a game-high 40 points and 11 assists for the Heat, who have lost three of five. Shawn Marion added a season-high 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Daequan Cook had 10 points in the loss.
"We are going to build on (the game)," Wade said. "Tonight we played a team that played well throughout the whole game and hit big shots. We kept fighting and had a chance. At the end of the day, the best team won tonight."
Down 10 headed into the final quarter, Miami started on a 17-6 burst to seize an 84-83 lead with just under nine minutes remaining. Marion and Chris Quinn combined to score 10 during the run.
But Parker hit Toronto's seventh consecutive three-point attempt to take back an 86-84 advantage. Parker hit a fadeaway shot to go up four, but Wade's three-pointer with four minutes to play pulled Miami within 92-89.
Jose Calderon, who missed the last two games with a strained right hamstring, made a crucial steal with just over a minute to go and put the Raptors up by five with a driving layup past Quinn and Marion with 1:09 left.
Wade made a jumper with 41 seconds left to pull Miami within four, but Cook's three-point attempt on the next possession was off, and Parker put the finishing touches on the game with a couple free throws with under 10 seconds left to put Toronto up 101-95.
"Well we didn't like the result, but I think people probably got their money's worth on that game," said Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra. "Going down the stretch, it got as electric as it could get."
Toronto jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the first six minutes, thanks to 10 early points from Bargnani. But Wade led the Heat back into it with nine points in the first, and Miami was only down two after the opening period.
The Raptors were able to increase their lead to nine in the beginning of the second, maintaining that advantage for most of the quarter. But Wade hit a jumper and a free throw in the last 20 seconds, and the Heat trailed only by four at the break.
Miami tied the game at 47 early in the third, but Toronto answered with an 8-0 run to regain the lead. The Raptors would increase their lead to as much as 17 thanks to the team's 6-for-6 shooting from three in the quarter and led 77-67 headed into the fourth.
Game Notes
Parker tied a team record for most three-pointers without a miss. It has happened two times in Toronto history, with the last being Mike James against Golden State on December 16, 2006...Calderon had eight points and seven assists...Miami shot just 7-of-23 from three-point range...Bargnani shot 3-of-4 from long range...Toronto leads the season series, 2-0, and has beaten the Heat six straight times...Wade set a career-high with five blocks.
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"We've just come in every night focused
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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