Celtics look for third straight win against Pacers
Basketball Betting Lines
11/01/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After opening the season with two impressive wins at home, the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics try their luck on the road for the first time in 2008-09 as they travel to Indiana for the Pacers' home opener.
Kevin Garnett posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to help lead the Celtics in a 96-80 rout of the Chicago Bulls at TD Banknorth Garden on Friday.
Garnett, who became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career games against the Bulls, was 7-of-11 from the field while Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen each contributed 14 points.
Pierce had nine boards and Rondo dished out six helpers for Boston, which celebrated its championship from last season before Tuesday's season-opening 90-85 home victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Indiana wasn't as lucky in its opener. Detroit's Tayshaun Prince finished with a team-high 19 points to lead the Pistons to a 100-94 win over the Pacers on Wednesday.
Budding star Danny Granger, who signed a contract extension on Friday, had a game-high 33 points and Troy Murphy brought down 15 boards to go with 13 points for the Pacers, who last season finished just 36-46.
T.J. Ford, who came to Indiana in an offseason trade with Toronto that sent former Pacers mainstay Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors, totaled 10 points and five assists.
Indiana stayed close in the game despite the absence of its second leading scorer from a year ago, sharp-shooter Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy is sidelined with knee tendinitis and will also miss tonight's contest.
The Celtics swept the season series with Indiana a year ago, winning all three games.
Saturdays contest is the second leg of a brutal season-opening stretch for the Pacers. After playing the two Eastern Conference finalists in the first two games, Indiana moves on to face two more serious playoff contenders next week, the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers head to Dixie to take on Atlanta in the Hawks' home opener at Philips Arena Saturday. The Sixers opened the season by splitting a pair of home games. After a lackluster loss to Toronto in the season-
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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