After Lebron James walked off the floor in Orlando after game six of the Eastern conference finals, he needed just one word to sum up his emotions.

Disappointed.

Cleveland had just been eliminated from the playoffs, falling 103-90 to the Magic to concede the series four games to two. James didn’t even stay to shake his opponents hand, a customary gesture that sportsbook reviews were shocked he skipped.

The Cavaliers dream season had ended with a nightmare.

After finishing the season with a 66-16 record, including an incredible 39 wins in 41 home games, and franchise high win streaks and road wins, the impact of the end seemed almost abrupt. Cleveland won its first two series’ against the Pistons and Hawks in dominating fashion. The Cavs didn’t only sweep both Detroit in Atlanta, they won each game by a margin no fewer than ten points. Then, it ended.

Like a racing car needing only fine-tuning, the Cavaliers went to work to correct what went wrong. In June, the franchise welcomed 4-time NBA champion and 15-time all-star center Shaquille O’Neal to counter the Magic’s Dwight Howard. Anthony Parker, Leon Powe, and Jamario Moon were added in free agency.

Once again the Cavaliers are enjoying regular season success, leading the league with 45 wins in 59 games. But management kept its eye on its car, and decided that one more adjustment was needed for a championship run.

Enter Antawn Jamison.

A power forward that can play the perimeter, Jamison can open lanes for Lebron and Shaq, as well as finish sinking the outside shot off a pass from either. An unselfish player capable of scoring and rebounding, Jamison adds a final element, pushing Cleveland into the role of favorite to not just reach the NBA finals, but to win it all.

Online betting cappers know that Julius Peppers played his entire football career in Carolina.

When the NFL’s 2010 Free Agency period opens March 5^th, Peppers will be moving on.

The five-time Pro Bowl defensive end will top the list of free agents in 2010, entering a season without a salary cap in place. The Panthers’ franchise career sacks leader, Peppers’ massive frame, and freak-show athletic ability will be available to the highest bidder.

The 30-year old defensive star recorded 81 total sacks in eight seasons in Carolina, and was recently voted to the NFL’s all-decade team.

Peppers wanted to sign a long-term contract with the Panthers after the 2007 season but unable to reach a deal, was given the franchise tag and a one-year, $16.7 million contract.

When Carolina failed to reach a long-term agreement with its star again the following offseason, Pepper received the franchise tag a second-straight year, and earned an $18.2 million dollar salary, plus a $1.5 million dollar bonus for making the Pro Bowl.

Every season a player is tendered a team’s franchise tag, that player must receive a 20-percent increase in salary. Should the Panthers offer Peppers a franchise tag offer, the contract would be worth an astounding guaranteed base salary of $20.1 million, as well as millions in potential bonuses for Pro Bowl nods and team playoff victories.

An All-Pro resume, and with at least a couple of solid seasons left in him, Peppers will test an uncertain market with a huge upside for team’s looking to add an explosive pass rusher off the edge.

New England, Philadelphia, and Atlanta are rumored to be among the top bidders interested in the services of Peppers. Several other teams could emerge in the bidding, but what is certain is Julius Peppers will be lining up at the defensive end for a team based out of Carolina for the first time in his career, come 2010.

Big East Breakdown

At this point Syracuse almost certainly will take the top spot in the Big East. The only way they could be set off course is with a loss to Villanova and to Louisville to unseat them. At this point, a loss to Villanova seems unlikely as the Wildcats are coming off two consecutive losses for the first time this season and the team looks to be unraveling. With little time remaining, the team will have to right itself quickly, but their efforts won’t be sufficient to stop the Orange at this point.

The Bubble

Elsewhere in the Big East, Pittsburgh continues to improve its seeding with a five game winning streak including a big win over Villanova. Georgetown is a team desperate for a win, but has a gruelling schedule to abide by, and West Virginia is in a similar situation. While we may still see some more shakeups, we won’t see a meltdown to cause Syracuse’s demise.

Upset Alert?

While Syracuse is reasonably safe in their position, fans of sports betting beware - we may still see some upsets in the Big East. Many are pointing to the Connecticut Huskies as a potential bubble team, however, look for the West Virginia Mountaineers to put an end to any such speculation when the two teams face off this week.

An Injured Star

On Friday, the Raptors take on the NBA’s worst team, the New Jersey Nets, and Toronto is expected to come off with a much needed win. Adding an interesting note to the match up is Chris Bosh’s expected absence. Citing a mild sprain of his left ankle, Bosh told press that he would not be traveling with the team to New Jersey, and would have to abandon his hopes of playing every game in the Raptor’s season. The injury occurred Wednesday night in the Raptor’s losing effort against the Memphis Grizzlies after an awkward landing off a block attempt. Bosh, who has already played in all 53 games so far this season, is as yet unconfirmed for Saturday’s home game against the Washington Wizards, another team Toronto is expected to beat. Coach Jay Triano confirmed he had not yet decided on who would replace Bosh, but would make a decision and the announcement on Friday.

Business as Usual

Because of the level of competition in the next two games, Bosh’s absence isn’t expected to have too detrimental of an effect on the team’s performance, but a long-term absence from the starting lineup could be entirely different. In any event, the sportsbook favorite Raptors are going to beat the Jets, with or without Chris Bosh. While the Raptors can be flaky, they should hold it together enough to beat the worst team in the league. Look for the Raps to rob the Nets of another win at home.

As the NBA gets back to play today after putting on a show in front of 108,000 plus fans in Cowboys Stadium, lots of names are buzzing and key trades are being discussed. With one trade already in the books, let’s take a closer look at that move and others looming to see who else is going to be on the move.

Deal Done: Dallas Mavericks send G/F Josh Howard, PF Drew Gooden, F James Singleton, G/F Quinton Ross to the Washington Wizards for G/F Caron Butler, C Brendan Haywood and G DeShawn Stevenson

This deal makes Dallas a serious contender this season. Adding Butler who is perhaps only one notch below being an all star at the G/F spot immediately replaces the gaping hole making almost 11 million dollars a year in Josh Howard. Howard seems to look disinterested often and has not shot well this year. Haywood is one of the league’s premier defensive centers and the heir apparent to Erick Dampier. Jason Terry will now return to his role as sixth-man and Dallas has become a scary team. Washington gets back all expiring contracts and cap relief without having to deal franchise player Antawn Jamison. That being said, the Mavericks fleeced the Wizards.

Deal Looming: Clippers C Marcus Camby to Portland for F Travis Outlaw and G Steve Blake

This deal would be highway robbery if it goes through for the Trail Blazers. Portland lost centers Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla early on this season and have been playing F LaMarcus Aldridge out of position and throwing Juwan Howard’s 63 year old body out there. Camby is in the last year of his contract but immediately relieves the gaping hole at center. Health will now be Portland’s determining factor as the pieces are there for a Finals run. Mike Dunleavy relieved himself of coaching duties recently but still is the team’s GM. If he makes this deal, which is reportedly imminent, Dunleavy should remove himself from this job too. Camby is a great defensive player when healthy and he is in a contract year. I expect him to light it up in Portland and make LaMarcus Aldridge’s life a whole lot easier (5dimes review also #1 guy to trade for in fantasy basketball if this goes through).

Other big names potentially on the move: Suns PF Amare Stoudamire, Rockets G/F Tracy McGrady, Golden State F Corey Maggette, Bulls PF Tyrus Thomas

It’s a big weekend if you’re looking over college basketball betting odds for this weekend’s rivalry games, it would be smart to remember one thing: homecourt advantage is massive in college hoops.

West Virginia vs Pitt odds – Friday, February 12, 9:00 PM ET

The No.23 Panthers should be favored at home in “The Pete: against the No.5 Mountaineers, who have lost eight of their last nine at Pitt. This will be a revenge game after the Panthers were romped 70-51 in Morgantown on February 3^rd in a feisty matchup which included fans throwing objects on the floor and at the Pitt bench. Pitt is 13-1 at home, while the Mountaineers have lost their two biggest road games at Purdue and Notre Dame, and those environments are nothing like they’ll face in this edition of the “Backyard Brawl”. Put Pitt in your sportsbook picks.

Tennessee vs Kentucky odds – Saturday, February 13, 9:00 PM ET

This SEC showdown between the No.12 Volunteers and No.2 Wildcats may be watched more for the coaches than the players. Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl and Kentucky’s John Calipari were rivals when Calipari was at Memphis, and the two split their four meetings. The Volunteers will have to deal with Kentucky’s wealth of talent, especially freshmen John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, and they’ll be doing it at a place that hasn’t been kind to them lately as the Volunteers have lost eight of their last night in Lexington, where the Wildcats are 16-0 this season. Kentucky is the smart play in what should be an exciting game.

The Super Bowl line has been out for a couple of weeks now and we’ve changed our mind…sort of. In Dirty Harry’s Backyard, we usually stick with our guns and that’s what we’re doing here, but we are protecting our investment a little more.

All along, the Indianapolis Colts has been the pick in the Super Bowl. After the NFC Championship Game, where the New Orleans Saints needed five Minnesota Vikings turnovers including a miracle one at the end of regulation to get the win, there was a lot of skepticism as to whether the Saints are capable of even playing with the Colts.

But the casual bettor has to understand that at this level of competition, there isn’t likely to be a blowout. Both teams are good and both teams will be prepared.

The Saints have had an extra week to prepare and you can’t discount the bye week. We see some of the worst teams in the NFL put up their best performances of the year after a bye, which means that the Saints and Colts will know each other inside out after two weeks of preparation.

At the end of the day, though, the Colts will win this game. While they might not win by four or five or six, they will win. That’s why we’ve changed the pick from Colts -5.5 to just Colts -220 outright. They win and so do we.

Pick: Colts -220

It’s not as big as Saints vs Colts odds are on Sunday, but on Friday, the top two teams in the NBA’s Western Conference will go at it at Staples Center as the Los Angele sLakers host the Denver Nuggets, who may still be missing their star.

Nuggets vs Lakers odds – Friday, February 5, 10:30 PM ET

The Nuggets have been without Carmelo Anthony for six games because of an ankle injury, going 4-2, and they’re coming off a disappointing 109-97 loss at home to Phoenix on Wednesday night. But it’s not all bad news for the Nuggets, as Chauncey Billups will replace the injured Chris Paul on the All-Star team. Billups will have to be at his best, as the Nuggets play in Los Angeles on Friday, and then Utah on Saturday.

It’s been a week of milestones for the Lakers, as Kobe Bryant broke the franchise scoring record in a loss at Memphis on Monday, and then Phil Jackson became the winningest coach in Lakers history in a win over Charlotte on Wednesday. Now, the Lakers can concentrate on a crazy stretch going into the break: home games against Denver and San Antonio, and road trips to Portland and Utah.

The Lakers should be favored at home, where the Nuggets have lost eight of their last 10. Denver isn’t nearly as good on the road as they are at home, and without all of their weapons on the floor, like Anthony, it’s not a smart play to go with Denver in an upset. Bet on the Los Angeles Lakers.

This year’s Super Bowl odds are directly related to the
potency of the two offenses, led by two MVP candidates, one of which won his
fourth award.

Indianapolis is powered by Peyton Manning, who is coming off
his fourth MVP, which is a record. His main weapons are Reggie Wayne and Dallas
Clark, but when they were taken away by the New York Jets, Manning made stars
out of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Manning had one of his best seasons
without a running game, and everyone is wondering when the wheels will fall
off. Do you want to bet against Peyton Manning?

Drew Brees is the leader of the New Orleans unit, which was
ranked first for most of the year, but struggled a bit in the NFC championship
game against Minnesota. Brees has a ton of targets in Marques Colston, Devery
Henderson and Lance Moore, but Jeremy Shockey has been hurt, and Reggie Bush
didn’t do much against Minnesota after destroying Arizona. The Saints’ ground
game gets the edge with Pierre Thomas, but it’s not going to overpower anyone.

Super Bowl betting analysis: Manning has been out of his
mind this year, and he’s never panicked. He won’t be bothered by the big stage
of the Super Bowl, of which he won the MVP four years ago.