Hawks' Johnson gets late reward

Basketball Betting Lines

02/16/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hope Joe Johnson has a good travel agent, because it must have been tough making those last-minute switches for this weekend.

It came very late, but Johnson was finally rewarded for his stellar season on Wednesday when he was selected as an injury replacement for the Eastern Conference squad.

Johnson, who will appear in his first All-Star game, takes the place of the injured Jason Kidd of the Nets for this Sunday's game. Kidd will skip the contest because of a back injury.

The 25-year-old guard is the Hawks' first All-Star since Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 2002.

Johnson, in his sixth season, is netting a team-best 25.2 points per game in 48 contests, good for 10th in the league. He is also tied for sixth in the NBA in field goals made per game at 9.4 per tilt.

Atlanta now heads into the break with a 21-31 mark, but as winners in two of its last three before the All-Star Game. Johnson averaged 20.7 points per game in that span, including 27 points in a 96-93 win over the LA Clippers on Wednesday.

The Hawks have lived and died by Johnson's offense this season. He has scored 25-plus points in 30 of his 48 games this year, and has led the team in scoring 36 times. In addition, the Hawks are 11-5 when Johnson scores 30 or more points.

The Hawks will resume their season on Tuesday against Chicago on the road, where it is 12-16. The club will then open a three-game homestand Wednesday against San Antonio.

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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.