Hawks use late push to upend Wizards

Basketball Betting Lines

04/10/2010 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jamal Crawford scored a team-high 28 points off the bench, as the Atlanta Hawks found success on the road with a 105-95 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Joe Johnson added 20 points for the Hawks, who had dropped six consecutive road contests. But coming off Friday's home win over Toronto, the Hawks used a fourth-quarter run to take control and facilitate the victory, which improved their playoff standing.

Atlanta entered the contest holding the third spot in the Eastern Conference, a game ahead of Boston. The Celtics play at Milwaukee on Saturday, and should they lose, the Hawks will secure the third seed, as they would be two games up with two to play. Atlanta holds the tiebreaker over Boston by virtue of sweeping the season series.

Andray Blatche had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lead the Wizards, who were coming off Friday's win at Boston. Nick Young added 23 points, 19 of which came in the first half.

The contest was close the entire way, as the lead changed hands 15 times and hovered around one or two possessions. It was tied just over two minutes into the fourth quarter before Atlanta went on the game's first sustained run, an 11-0 burst.

Crawford opened it with a three, and after a Young turnover, Al Horford sank two free throws. A Blatche miss and turnover on the Wizards' next touch gave the ball back to the Hawks, and after Maurice Evans air-balled a three, he sank a jumper for a 90-83 margin -- then Atlanta's largest lead of the game.

Another Wizards miss led to a Johnson jumper from the foul line, and he drove for a layup on Atlanta's next possession to make it 94-83 with 5:56 left.

The whole run lasted a little under four minutes but essentially decided the game. While Washington regained some of its scoring touch, the Hawks kept making shots. With 2:42 left, Crawford had a four-point play for a 103-90 edge, allowing Atlanta to hold on for the victory.

A back-and-forth first quarter ended with a Young three-pointer that evened the game at 30. Young had 12 points in the opening frame.

Both teams shot well in the first half: Washington made 55 percent of its shots, and Atlanta sank 53.7 percent. Neither team led by more than six, and Horford's dunk in the final minute put the Hawks up 52-50 at the break.

Washington used a nine-point run early in the third to gain a 59-54 edge, and played in front for most of the quarter. However, Crawford ended the frame with a three and a jumper to make it a 78-78 contest moving to the fourth.

Game Notes

Atlanta has won nine in a row against the Wizards and swept the four-game season series for the second straight year...Josh Smith had 10 points and eight assists for the Hawks, while Horford finished with 10 boards and eight points...Mike Miller had 16 points for the Wizards, while Shaun Livingston added 15 points and seven assists.

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

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