Bucks, Jazz to square off in battle of surging clubs
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03/12/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the NBA's hottest teams clash in Brew City tonight
as the Utah Jazz pay a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Jazz won their fourth straight contest and improved to 2-0 on a four-game
road trip Wednesday in Auburn Hills, when Deron Williams paced a balanced
attack with 18 points and 12 assists as Utah trounced the Detroit Pistons,
115-104.
Mehmet Okur and Paul Millsap each added 18 points for Utah, which secured its
fifth consecutive winning season with its 42nd win and its 21st winning
campaign in 22 seasons under head coach Jerry Sloan.
Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews each had 14 points, while Andrei Kirilenko and
Carlos Boozer both finished with 11 for the Jazz, who are just one game behind
first-place Denver in the Northwest Division.
"They're outstanding," Pistons head coach John Kuester said of the Jazz. Deron
Williams is one of the best point guards in the league. There are certain
teams that come with a blue-collar work ethic that you have to come out with a
lunch pail and be ready to go at them."
Milwaukee, meanwhile, won its fourth straight and improved to 2-0 on a four-
game homestand on Tuesday, when Andrew Bogut totaled 25 points, 17 rebounds
and four blocks and the Bucks used a run in the fourth quarter to take the
lead and then held off the Boston Celtics, 86-84.
Carlos Delfino had 19 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks, who have won 10
of their last 11 overall and five straight at home. John Salmons added 16
points for Milwaukee, which survived a missed jumper by Paul Pierce at the
buzzer.
Brandon Jennings finished with 13 points for the Bucks, who have climbed all
the way up to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference with their recent
stellar play.
"I know a lot of people used to say here in March this team really doesn't do
too good," Jennings said. "This year, we're turning it around a little bit."
Utah has won nine of its last 10 meetings with Milwaukee, including a 112-95
blowout win in Salt Lake City earlier this season.
<< Sliding Ducks host Predators
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks aim for their first win in nearly a month
tonight when they host a Nashville Predators club that is struggling to hold
onto one of the last playoff spots in the Western Conference.
The Ducks have dropped
<< Bobcats continue push towards postseason, host Clippers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Charlotte Bobcats aim to maintain their recent winning
ways and further solidify their postseason hopes in tonight's clash with a Los
Angeles Clippers team that'll be seeking to end a five-game slide when it pays
a visit
<< Celtics try to stop skid in home tilt with Pacers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics will be attempting to avoid a third
straight loss when the Atlantic Division leaders host the road-challenged
Indiana Pacers tonight at TD Garden.
Boston followed up a two-point setback at red
<< Rangers and Thrashers both try to end slides in Atlanta
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of four-game losing streaks have made a possible
road to the postseason a bit harder for the Rangers and Thrashers. Only one
team will be able to reverse its misfortunes tonight.
Atlanta will try to sweep the season
<< Playoff-bound Cavs make a stop in south Philly
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A large lead atop the Central Division and playoff berth
already sewed up has allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers to give LeBron James some
rest for the stretch run. The reigning NBA MVP is expected to return from his
two-gam
Stars return home to face Williams and Kings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Stars haven't done much to further their playoff
chances since the Olympic break, but an upcoming six-game homestand for a team
that has been strong this year as the host could do the trick.
Dallas begins that residenc
Lakers visit Phoenix for key Pacific showdown >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The two top teams in the Pacific Division meet for the last
time in the regular season tonight, when the second-place Phoenix Suns welcome
the front-running Los Angeles Lakers to the U.S. Airways Center.
The defending NBA
Pistons resume homestand with visit from Wizards >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Eastern Conference also-rans continue playing out
the string tonight in Auburn Hills, where the Detroit Pistons play host to the
Washington Wizards.
The Pistons fell to 1-1 on a three-game homestand Wednesday, wh
Bulls, Heat set to battle in Miami >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams battling for playoff spots in the Eastern
Conference square off tonight at Miami's AmericanAirlines Arena, where the
surging Heat continue an important homestand by taking on the slumping Chicago
Bulls.
Blazers try to enhance playoff chances in clash with Kings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers hope to improve their playoff
chances tonight by earning a sixth straight win over the lottery-bound
Sacramento Kings.
The Blazers, who currently lead Memphis by four games for the eighth and fin
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."
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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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