Cavs coach Brown fined $25,000

Basketball Betting Lines

02/12/2009 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NBA fined Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown $25,000 on Thursday for critical remarks he made about officiating after Tuesday's loss to Indiana.

In the game, a 96-95 Pacers win, Indiana's Danny Granger was called for a foul on Cleveland's LeBron James while trying to block out on a pass. James made both free throws with 0.4 seconds left to tie the game at 95.

But following an Indiana timeout, Granger came off a screen and received the inbound pass on a similar play that netted James his two foul shots. Granger, who was closer to the basket, was fouled when James tried to get back, and went to the line with 0.1 seconds remaining. Granger made the first shot and intentionally missed the second to secure the win.

Following the game, Brown said, "I went back and I watched the last two plays. That last call on LeBron was the worst call that I've ever been a part of...It was an awful call and for him to take away a basketball game from a team with .04 seconds on the clock is irresponsible. We got the game taken away from us, absolutely horrible. I feel badly for the guys in the locker room.

"We played well enough to give ourselves an opportunity," Brown continued. "That game should have gone into overtime. He determined the outcome. If they want to fine me for telling the truth, then fine me."

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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. 

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