Hawks resume road trip in Detroit
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01/27/2012 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks hope to bounce back from a miserable
showing their last time out tonight when they continue a five-game road trip
against the Detroit Pistons at the Palace in Auburn Hills.
Atlanta seemed lost at times on Wednesday when it dropped a 105-83 decision to
the San Antonio Spurs. Jeff Teague led the Hawks with 20 points, while Josh
Smith netted 13 on 6- of-17 shooting.
The Hawks had won six of seven coming in, but trailed by as many as 26 to the
Spurs. THey also turned the ball over 17 times in the loss and slipped to 0-5
this season when scoring less than 90 points.
"They outplayed us," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said bluntly. "If you look at
that stat sheet, they beat us in just about every category."
Detroit, meanwhile, also enters tonight's contest on a losing note after
falling, 101-98, to the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
Austin Daye had a team-high 28 points for Detroit, but was whistled for a
traveling violation while attempting a potential game-tying three-pointer in
the final seconds.
Greg Monroe posted 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, though he also
missed a critical basket late in regulation.
"We definitely gave a great effort tonight, everybody's intensity was really
high, everybody was focused and we were all playing together," said Monroe.
"It was a tough loss."
As well as they may have played against one of the better teams in the Eastern
Conference, it was still the Pistons' 12th loss in 14 tries. However, head
coach Lawrence Frank was pleased with his team's effort.
"I thought our guys showed great fight, spirit and resolve," Frank said. "You
have to look at the fight for the whole game. If we can establish this as part
of our DNA, we'll put ourselves in position to win a lot of games, but it
can't be just (against) Miami."
The Hawks took three of their four meetings with the Pistons last season and
have won five of seven and eight of the last 11 overall in this series.
Atlanta, though, has dropped 10 of 12 in Detroit.
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Wizards try to pick up road victory in Houston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Wizards have had trouble the past two
seasons playing well on the road and look to avoid an 0-8 start as the guest
tonight against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.
The Wizards will play two straight
Magic try to rebound against Hornets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For three quarters last night it appeared the Orlando Magic
had erased all the memories of their worst shooting performance in franchise
history in a rematch with the Boston Celtics.
But a lousy final period sent the Magic
Improved Pacers try to pass another test in Boston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Indiana Pacers try to follow up their biggest win of
the season tonight when they head to Boston to face the Celtics at TD Garden.
Indiana picked up a big win over the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls
on Wednes
Thunder, Warriors collide in Oakland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Western Conference-leading Thunder will kick off a
three-game road trip tonight when they visit Oakland to take on the Golden
State Warriors.
The Thunder (15-3) won their third straight game and for the 11th
Blazers welcome Suns to Rip City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Blazers haven't been much of a threat away from Rip
City this season but things have been far different when they are hitting the
hardwood in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland will shoot for its sixth straight win a
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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