Bryant's heroics lift Lakers past Raptors

Basketball Betting Lines

03/10/2010 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant played hero again, sinking the winning jumper from the right baseline with 1.9 seconds left, and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game skid with a 109-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Bryant, who missed a potential winning three-pointer at the end of regulation in a 106-105 loss in Toronto on January 24, scored 32 points, dished out six assists and had six rebounds.

Andrew Bynum tallied 22 points, while Pau Gasol registered 17 points and nine boards for the Lakers, who were on their longest skid since January of 2008.

Chris Bosh hit the tying three-pointer with 9.5 seconds left in regulation and finished with 22 points for Toronto, which has lost six of seven overall and eight straight on the road against the Lakers. Andrea Bargnani added 21 points and Jarrett Jack notched 18 points, seven boards and seven assists.

A turnover by Hedo Turkoglu led to a pair of free throws for Derek Fisher, giving the Lakers a 106-102 lead with 30.6 seconds left.

Jose Calderon then drove in for a quick bucket before Lamar Odom made 1-of-2 at the charity stripe with 19.6 seconds left. Bosh then tied the game from the top of the arc before Bryant worked his magic.

Bryant drove around Antoine Wright and shot the ball over a pair of defenders before it swished through for the lead. It was the sixth game-winning shot of the season for Bryant, who had 14 points in the last quarter.

"They didn't come early at me and I got the shot off," Bryant said. "That's part of my responsibility, to close teams out. Our defense tonight was garbage. We have to focus on execution."

Wright's desperation shot from deep in his own end was way off the mark.

"It was no secret he was going to take the shot," Toronto coach Jay Triano said. "We ran two guys at him and he still made it."

Toronto trailed 29-24 after one quarter, but surged late in the second to grab a 58-50 lead at halftime. The Raptors continued to hold the advantage in the third, moving to the last period with an 84-81 edge.

Game Notes

The Lakers haven't lost four in a row since April 8-13, 2007...This was the start of a four-game road trip for Toronto with contests upcoming against Sacramento, Golden State and Portland...The Lakers finished 36-of-44 at the foul line...Toronto has lost eight of its last 10 vs. the Lakers.

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MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)		 5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.