Lakers take losing streak to Orlando

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03/07/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant and the suddenly-slumping Los Angeles Lakers have dropped two straight games and hope to get back on track Sunday afternoon against Eastern Conference power Orlando at Amway Arena.

In a rematch of last year's NBA Finals won by LA in five games, the Lakers handed the Magic a 98-92 setback on January 18 at Staples Center behind a career-high 22 points from Shannon Brown. Bryant was held to just 11 points in that one for the Lakers, who won their 15th NBA title in franchise history at Orlando's expense last summer.

The Lakers have won 17 of the last 22 matchups with the Magic. Orlando is 11-31 all-time versus Los Angeles (7-14 home, 4-17 road) during the regular season.

Los Angeles is 0-2 so far on a three-game road trip and is coming off Friday's 98-83 loss against the Charlotte Bobcats. Bryant had 26 points and Andrew Bynum added 14 points and 10 boards for the top-seeded Lakers, who got 11 points and 13 boards out of Pau Gasol.

"You have those periods during the seasons where you hit stretches where you're kind of stagnant," Bryant said. "The important thing is when you hit those stretches, you don't go backwards. You just kind of weather the storm, and you come out of it a better ball club."

LA is 17-12 away from Staples Center this season and hasn't lost three in a row since January 23-27, 2007.

Orlando will open a three-game homestand Sunday versus the Lakers, Clippers and Bulls and has won three in a row in central Florida. The Magic are unbeaten in their last four games and posted its sixth win in seven tries with Friday's 97-87 triumph at New Jersey.

Dwight Howard posted his league-leading 49th double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds, while Matt Barnes added 16 points and Jameer Nelson 15 in a winning effort. Jason Williams and Vince Carter each had 13 points for Southeast Division-leading Orlando, which is second in the Eastern Conference standings behind top-seeded Cleveland.

"It was a tough game. It's a win. There is no need to be sad. We got the job done and that's all that matters," Howard said after the game.

Howard and the Magic are 24-6 as the host this season.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.