Oklahoma City and New Orleans complete draft day deal

Basketball Betting Lines

07/08/2010 - Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired the draft rights to Cole Aldrich and veteran forward Morris Peterson from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for the draft rights to forward Craig Brackens and guard/forward Quincy Pondexter.

Aldrich was the 11th overall choice in last month's draft after averaging 11.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots during his junior season at Kansas. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and leaves the Jayhawks as their single season leader in blocks (125) and second all-time with 253 swats.

The 6-foot-11 center never lost a collegiate game at home, going 55-0 at Allen Fieldhouse, and was a member of the 2008 Kansas national championship squad.

Peterson has averaged 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10 NBA seasons with Toronto and New Orleans. He played in 43 games last season, 39 starts, with the Hornets and averaged 7.1 points and 2.7 boards.

The Thunder made Brackins the 21st overall choice in the draft after he posted averages of 16.5 points, 8.5 boards and 2.2 helpers during his junior campaign at Iowa State. The 6-foot-10, 230 pounder started all 95 games he played in during his three years with the Cyclones.

Pondexter, the 26th overall selection, averaged 19.3 points and 7.4 rebounds for Washington in his senior season and finished his career as the Huskies all-time leader in games played, 136, and third in school history with 1,786 points.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.