Rockets rout Nets as Carter rumors arise

Basketball Betting Lines

02/17/2009 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yao Ming scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, as the Houston Rockets downed the New Jersey Nets, 114-88, at the Toyota Center.

Shane Battier netted a season-high 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Rockets, who also received 19 points from Von Wafer and 18 from Ron Artest. Luis Scola totaled 10 points and 11 boards, while Rafer Alston chipped in nine points and 11 assists, as Houston started the post All-Star break with its second consecutive victory.

The Rockets overcame the absence of star Tracy McGrady (left knee) to beat the Nets for the sixth straight time. Houston set a season-high by making 15 three-point shots and they had 27 assists, another season-best. Houston also outrebounded the Nets, 56-30.

Vince Carter had 30 points for New Jersey, which has lost three in a row following a four-game win streak. Brook Lopez ended with 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocks for the Nets.

The teams played just two days prior to the NBA trading deadline, and reports earlier Tuesday indicated the Nets were shopping Carter, possibly to the Rockets or Trail Blazers.

The Rockets scored 12 in a row during the opening quarter to grab a 22-16 lead with Artest's layup capping the burst. An Artest three-ball provided a 27-17 margin going into the second.

A jumper from Lopez had the Nets within 30-25, but the Rockets pulled away with an ensuing 18-5 flurry. Artest's three-pointer ended that push with nearly three minutes left in the half, and the Rockets headed to the locker room with a 56-40 advantage.

Houston continued to pull away in the third, moving to an 84-65 cushion heading to the fourth. Nearly everything was falling for the Rockets, even on errant plays. In one instance, Scola's entry pass to Yao went off the center's hands and into the basket, even though the Chinese superstar had his back to the bucket.

A three-pointer from Brent Barry expanded the lead to 105-80 with three minutes remaining.

Game Notes

Houston finished 15-of-29 from three-point range...Houston held a 16-2 edge in offensive rebounds...Rockets guard Carl Landry exited the game late in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle...Battier went 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, while Yao finished 9-of-15 from the field....Devin Harris scored 10 for the Nets...New Jersey shot 40 percent from the floor, compared to 45.5 percent for Houston.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

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