Cavs handle Pacers in Irving's return

Basketball Betting Lines

02/15/2012 - Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyrie Irving came back from a three-game absence and scored 22 points, and the Cavaliers never trailed while earning a 98-87 victory over the shorthanded Pacers.

Irving, who suffered a concussion during a February 7 game at Miami when he was kneed in the head, also had five assists for Cleveland, which improved to 2-2 on its nine-game homestand.

Semih Erden set a career-high with 18 points to go with eight rebounds, while Ramon Sessions and Antawn Jamison each netted 13 points in the win.

The Pacers, playing without Danny Granger (ankle), George Hill (ankle) and Jeff Foster (back), have lost a season-high five straight games. Darren Collison and Roy Hibbert led the way Wednesday with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Irving came out in mid-season form, hitting 5-of-6 from the field in the first quarter. Cleveland used the rookie's 12 points and a trio of three-pointers from Omri Casspi to build a 32-20 cushion.

The Pacers made just 5-of-20 from the field in the second quarter, which saw the hosts lead by as many as 21 when Daniel Gibson drained a three-pointer for a 46-25 cushion five minutes in.

Gibson sprained his ankle in the third quarter and did not return, but the Cavs never had their 56-38 halftime lead seriously threatened.

Despite shooting just 32 percent from the field in the third quarter, Cleveland held a 79-61 advantage heading to the fourth and led by double digits until the final minute.

Alonzo Gee's thunderous two-handed dunk with just under three minutes to go put the exclamation point on the lopsided decision.

Game Notes

Cleveland welcomes former first son LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Friday...The Pacers will open a three-game homestand versus the Nets on Thursday...The Pacers had won six straight against the Cavs, including an overtime win in Indianapolis on December 30...Indiana's David West had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, but shot just 4-for-15 from the field.

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

NFL Betting

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