Ainge getting a head start for next season
Basketball Betting Lines
03/21/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The only thing the Boston Celtics have left to play for is pride, and that may be a stretch for this abysmal squad.
Boston is still the second-worst team in the NBA with a dreadful 20-47 mark (Memphis - 17-51) and will certainly gain many chances for a top pick in the upcoming lottery draft. Apparently Celtics general manager Danny Ainge can't wait until that happens after the franchise was reportedly fined $30,000 for excessive contact with a possible draft prospect.
Ainge sat next to the mother of Texas freshman sensation Kevin Durant during the NCAA Big 12 tournament for an excessive amount of time, a violation of NBA rules. According to the league, contact must be kept to a minimum between team executives and possible NBA draft picks. The fact that Durant hasn't even declared for the NBA Draft was even more of a black eye to the NBA.
Now Ainge is back in China to learn more on NBA prospect Yi Jianlian.
Any team executive, though, would be drooling if they had a chance to take arguably the best college basketball player in the country. It was reported months ago, however, that Durant will stay at Texas for another year instead of opting for millions at the next level. It would be a great boost of confidence for the Celtics if they could have Durant suiting up with star forward Paul Pierce on a daily basis.
Teaming up with Al Jefferson isn't a bad idea either. Jefferson was inserted into the starting lineup back on December 6 and is averaging 16.6 points and 11.8 rebounds ever since. Jefferson owns 19.6 ppg and 12.2 rpg since the All- Star break in mid-February, including nine double-doubles. The Celtics are 11-8 when 'Big Al' scores 20 or more points, but 7-34 when he nets 19 or less.
After Boston finally put the brakes on a franchise-record 18-game losing streak, it has gone 8-9 over the last 17 games with losses in four of the last six games. On an uplifting note, the Celtics finally ended a lengthy, 18-game losing streak to San Antonio with a 91-85 triumph on Saturday. Pierce led the way with 30 points for Boston, which last defeated the Spurs on January 8, 1997. The Celtics also collected its first road win in the series against the Spurs since February 14, 1990.
The Celtics will now open a four-game homestand on Wednesday against Charlotte, Dallas, Toronto and Orlando. They are an NBA-worst 9-23 at the friendly confines of TD Banknorth Garden this season.
Florence, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Highly regarded Hard Spun ships in from Oaklawn Park to head a field of 12 Kentucky Derby contenders for Saturday's $500,000 Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park. The 1 1/8 race for three-year-olds takes p
<< Report: Texans acquire QB Schaub from Falcons
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Texans are reportedly set to
acquire quarterback Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons.
According to the Houston Chronicle, two NFL executives confirmed the deal.
Details of the trade appare
<< Titans agree to terms with S Scott
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tennessee Titans Wednesday agreed to
terms on a contract with unrestricted free agent safety Bryan Scott.
After spending his first three pro seasons in Atlanta, Scott registered nine
tackles in nin
<< Reds release Paul Wilson
Sarasota, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds have released pitcher Paul
Wilson.
The veteran right-hander has been trying to recover from shoulder surgery
performed in June 2005. He had appeared in five games this spring, allowing
<< Mauresmo sidelined after appendectomy
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Amelie Mauresmo will be out of action for about a
month after undergoing an appendectomy.
According to the French star's website, Mauresmo had been suffering from a
stomach ache for a few days and underwent a
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boy, did Dallas Stars center Mike Modano have a good week. The five-day span from March 13-17 was indeed a memorable one for the Livonia, Michigan native. Modano put some of the finishing touches on his playing career that
Drake's Davis retires as son takes over hoop's program >>
Des Moines, IA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Drake University announced on Wednesday that
head men's basketball coach Dr. Tom Davis has retired, and his son Keno will
take over the program.
The 68-year-old Tom Davis, who will remain with the unive
Drake's Davis retires as son takes over hoops program >>
Des Moines, IA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Drake University announced on Wednesday that
head men's basketball coach Dr. Tom Davis has retired, and his son Keno will
take over the program.
The 68-year-old Tom Davis, who will remain with the unive
Redskins ink Stoutmire >>
Ashburn, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Redskins signed safety Omar
Stoutmire on Wednesday.
Stoutmire started nine games with the Saints last season, registering 56
tackles and two interceptions.
An 11-year veteran, Sto
Eagles' coach Reid to return Friday >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Eagles announced on
Wednesday that head coach Andy Reid will return from his leave of absence on
Friday.
Reid stepped away last month to deal with the recent legal troubles involv
Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt
Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.
The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.
Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.
NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.
"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.
The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.
But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.
The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.
Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.
The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.
The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.
The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.
Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.
Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."
Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.
"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."
Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.
It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.
"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."
Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.
"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."
At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.
According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.
Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.
Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.
When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.
He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.
Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.
Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.
Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.
Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.
While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.
"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.
Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.
Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your VISA Sportsbook needs.