Talked to my Rep Last night and confirmed the rumors going around and he said it took everyone by Surprise that the Parent Company decided to make this decision. They said it may not be permanent and may start taking players when gambling and traffic picks up during football as baseball is a traditionally slow season. Horse Racing is about to the into high gear and I don't know how Missing the Kentucky Derby and other Triple Crown races will effect them.

I will Keep you updated when I get more information.

Sportsbook.com To Quit Accepting US Players On May 1, 20111 -- Existing Players Can Still Play

BOSTON CELTICS (34-10) at PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (25-21)

BOSTON CELTICS (34-10) at PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (25-21) Sportsbook.com Line/Total: Boston -5 & 183 

The Boston Celtics come into their Thursday battle with the Portland Trail Blazers feeling much more complete having their physical center Kendrick Perkins back. Perkins, who adds a defensive presence that can’t be categorized, had seven points and six rebounds in his first game back Tuesday in a 112-95 win over the Cavaliers. The return of Perkins comes at an ideal time with Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal both still out. To help out the recent thin frontcourt of the Celtics, Luke Harangody chipped in eight points and some much needed energy off the bench Tuesday. Boston has been terrific at TD Garden this year (22-3 SU), but beatable on the road (12-7 SU, 11-8 ATS). Ray Allen who is averaging 17.3 PPG this year, needs to play better this time around against the Blazers. The last meeting on Dec. 1, Allen went 3-for-12, scoring nine points and the C’s were minus-10 when he was on the court. Despite Allen’s poor shooting and a 15-0 run in the fourth by Portland, the Celtics held on and won 99-95.

 

It is hard to remember a team plagued with so many unfortunate injures as the Blazers have suffered this year. They’ve already lost Greg Oden for the season, and star guard Brandon Roy has not seen the court yet this calendar year. To add fuel to the fire, Marcus Camby has been out with a knee injury and LaMarcus Aldridge recently went for an MRI on his right hip. Luckily there was no cartilage damage to Aldridge’s hip and he will be available for Thursday’s contest. With Aldridge not 100 percent and Oden and Camby out, Portland desperately needs help from Joel Przybilla, who has scored a total of 10 points as a starter in the past three games. He didn’t attempt a field goal in 23 minutes in Monday’s embarrassing 96-81 loss to the Kings. Through all the injuries this year, the Blazers have been very solid at home this year (16-6 SU, 12-9 ATS). Portland has found scoring from the terrific second year player Wesley Matthews, who is averaging 22.7 PPG in his past three games. Matthews also scored 23 points, including 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point range in the Dec. 1 matchup against the Celtics.

 

Boston has owned this series recently, going 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS in the past 11 meetings with Portland. The C’s have outscored the Blazers by 7.8 PPG in the past five meetings at the Rose Garden, with all four wins coming by at least six points, which is greater than Thursday’s spread. Having a healthy Perkins against a banged-up Aldridge may be the downfall for the Blazers. Portland, who has heavily relied on LaMarcus Aldridge (21.1 PPG) this year, needs to find another way to score and the tough defense of Boston (91.8 PPG allowed, second-best in NBA) won’t make that easy. The defending Eastern Conference champions should be able to handle the tough home crowd of Portland and take the victory against the spread.

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SAINT MARY’S (CA) GAELS (17-3, 5-0 in WCC) at GONZAGA BULLDOGS (13-7, 3-2 in WCC)

Sportsbook.com Line/Total: Gonzaga -3.5 & 148.5

 

Look out Gonzaga, the Gael force is coming! Just to remind everyone in the West Coast Conference (as well as the rest of college basketball) that last season was not a fluke, the Gaels of Saint Mary’s are back with a vengeance. Following last season’s NCAA Tournament run that ended with a loss in the Sweet 16 round to Baylor, the Gaels have stormed to 17 wins in its first 20 games this year, including a 5-0 mark in the West Coast Conference. Thursday when they invade Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center, Saint Mary’s will do so with a team that is ranked in the Top 10 nationally in three offensive categories. The Zags rank eighth in scoring (82.5 PPG), third in passing (18.6 APG), and third in shooting (50.6% FG).

 

The Saint Mary’s attack starts with its backcourt of senior Mickey McConnell and sophomore Matthew Dellavedova. McConnell leads the team in points (14.6), assists (6.5) and minutes played (35.5), all while shooting nearly 47% from beyond the arc, and over 51% from the floor, an amazing number for a player who makes his living outside of the paint. McConnell also knows how to protect the basketball, as he sports an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly 3-to-1. Dellavedova (13.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.2 SPG) is a big guard from down under -- Maryborough, Australia to be exact -- who can do a little bit of everything. At nearly 39%, Dellavedova is almost as proficient from beyond the arc as McConnell. Junior forward Rob Jones (14.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG) leads the team in rebounding. With a team shooting percentage of just about 50%, and a team three-point FG Pct. just below 40%, it’s a pretty safe bet that most of Saint Mary’s rebounds come courtesy of the OTHER team’s missed shots. The Gaels are coming off of an 89-70 non-conference road loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday, and while all of the team’s losses have come to non-league opponents, Saint Mary’s did battle Mountain West-leading BYU (now 20-1 after defeating San Diego State on Wednesday night) before losing by just a point, 74-73.

 

After a rocky beginning that saw them start the season 4-5 and falling out of the Top 25, the Gonzaga Bulldogs had seemed to right the ship, winning nine straight between December 16 and January 15, with big non-conference victories over 2010 NCAA Tournament teams Baylor, Xavier and Oklahoma State. But two disappointing conference road defeats at Santa Clara and San Francisco have knocked the Bulldogs record back to 13-7, and 3-2 in conference play. Simply put, the Bulldogs had better start showing a lot more bark if they hope to make a 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Zags have gotten strong production from senior guard Steven Gray, who is leading the team in scoring (15.2) while shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. Long and lean 7-footer Robert Sacre (13.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 BPG) is leading the team in rebounds and blocks, while sophomore forward Elias Harris (12.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG) like Sacre, is shooting over 51% from the field. A loss would put Gonzaga three games out of first place, providing a clear advantage for the Gaels as they look to make it back–to-back WCC Championships, further breaking the stranglehold that Gonzaga has held on the conference for years.

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