Thunder GM Presti agrees to extension

Basketball Betting Lines

07/22/2010 - Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has agreed to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday.

Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed. Presti, 33, was named general manager in 2007, when the team was still located in Seattle, after serving as assistant general manager for the San Antonio Spurs.

"I am extremely humbled to have the opportunity to continue our work here with the Thunder," Presti said. "Oklahoma City is home for me. We have a committed group of players, excellent coaches led by Scott Brooks, and a support staff in both basketball and business, that is integral to the vision of our organization and I am grateful for their partnership."

Through draft choices, such as Kevin Durant in 2007 and Russell Westbrook in 2008, as well as key acquisitions, Presti has constructed a young and promising roster.

The maneuvering paid dividends this past season, when the Thunder went 50-32 under Brooks -- a 27-win improvement from 2008-09. Oklahoma City made the franchise's first playoff appearance in five years and lost its first-round series to the eventual NBA-champion Lakers.

Wwwthesims Basketball Betting News

<< Chiefs sign third-round pick Moeaki
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Chiefs have signed tight end Tony Moeaki, the club's third-round pick in the 2010 draft. Moeaki played in 48 games at Iowa, starting 15, and caught 76 passes for 953 yards with 11 touch

<< Blue Jackets re-sign Clitsome
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed defenseman Grant Clitsome to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Clitsome appeared in 11 games for the Blue Jackets last season

<< Pistons' Monroe has foot surgery
Auburn Hills, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pistons rookie forward/center Greg Monroe underwent successful surgery on his right foot Thursday. The out-patient procedure was performed by Dr. Arthur Manoli at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in P

<< Sum greater than parts at Stephen F. Austin
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Head coach J.C. Harper attributes Stephen F. Austin's turnaround over the past few seasons to a belief in the system he established. "We had a plan, stayed on task with the plan, and haven't gotten off of

<< Bills put TE Klopfenstein on IR
Orchard Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Buffalo Bills tight end Joe Klopfenstein was placed on the injured reserve list Thursday. Klopfenstein's exact injury is unknown. An injury settlement with the four- year veteran remains a possibility

Orioles bring Millwood off DL >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles have reinstated pitcher Kevin Millwood from the 15-day disabled list, and he will start Thursday's game against Minnesota. Millwood landed on the DL on July 6 with a strained right

Public gets chance to see Rachel Alexandra on Friday >>
Oceanport, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Thoroughbred racing fans should be able to get an up-close look Friday afternoon at 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra at Monmouth Park. The four-year-old filly will be in the track's paddock

Canada's squad armed and ready >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As Canada prepares to host the 2010 IBAF World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay, Ont., beginning Friday, here's a closer look at its final 20-player roster. It all starts behind the plate. Can

Brewers activate Gallardo for Thursday start >>
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Brewers have activated right-hander Yovani Gallardo from the 15-day disabled list to make Thursday's start versus Pittsburgh. Gallardo suffered a strained left rib cage muscle against the Cardi

Roenick, Hatcher brothers head 2010 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class >>
Colorado Springs, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeremy Roenick headlines a list of five members that make up the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2010. The class, which also includes Derian Hatcher, Kevin Hatcher, Art Berglund an

MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?

Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite.  Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight.  With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites.  As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).

Midwest

#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler

The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April.  Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT.  After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games.  Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season.  As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers.  Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS).  Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field.  With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.

#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV

As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year.  If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season.  As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well.  This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons.  Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late.  There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games.  It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.

East

#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown

“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season.  Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU.  They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games.  With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field.  Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense.  Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc.  The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range.  Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.

#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC

The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country.  Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times.  Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter.  UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen.  UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS.  An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games.  This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS.  USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types.  An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough.  USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS.  They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12.  When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.

With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action.  Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at this sportsbook “Betting Trends”.  By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.

To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.