Kris Allen Gives Sportsbooks a Beating, But More Winnings in Store Thursday Night

Sportsbooks are licking their wounds as late money cam in on Kris Allen to upset Adam Lambert in American Idol betting odds, while the Orlando Magic picked up a stunner beating heavily favorite Cleveland.

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Nuggets and Lakers continue the West Finals in Los Angeles, while the Canes and Penguins battle again in Pittsburgh.

Sports headlines…

Jake Peavy will be traded to the Chicago White Sox if Peavy waives his “no trade” clause…Michael Vick is working with the Humane Society following his release from prison on animal cruelty and other charges. The New England Patriots are among his potential suitors…The cause of death of Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis has not been determined. She is the wife of relief pitcher Scott Schoeneweis…The 2010 Olympic Torch has been criticized for looking like a joint…Are you in need of a bigger comeback than Jessica Hahn? A bigger Internet innovator than Jimmy Wales, Superstar Stevie Vincent is 30-8 with Level 5 plays in all sports and is likely to yet again finish above 70 percent in pro basketball, an annual ritual in pro hoops and college football especially. Tonight he has a Level 5 in pro basketball, the Denver/LA Lakers game side plus a Level 4 night pro baseball. Click now to purchase…Former NFL player Eric Noposki has been charged with murder…

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

Kobe Bryant will try to lead his Lakers to a 2-0 series advantage on Thursday night when they host the Nuggets again in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Bryant tossed in 40 points on Tuesday night in Los Angeles’ slim 105-103 win, with Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol both providing 13 points. Carmelo Anthony was good for a team-high 39 points in a losing cause for the Nuggets. The oddsmakers have opened the Lakers as 5.5-point home favorites for Thursday.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The Royals will send ace Zack Greinke (7-1, 0.60 ERA) back out to the mound on Thursday afternoon in search of a home win over the Indians. The righthander held the Orioles to one earned run on six hits over seven innings in his last start, and he tossed five scoreless innings against the Indians in a victory back in April.

Elsewhere in afternoon action in the American League on Thursday it’ll be Texas at Detroit, Minnesota at the White Sox, and Oakland at Tampa Bay, while the evening slate features Baltimore at the Yankees, Toronto at Boston, and the Angels at Seattle. Probable Angels starter Joe Saunders will be looking to bounce back from a bad outing against the Rangers (seven runs in 5 1-3 innings).

Over in the NL on Thursday the schedule includes Philadelphia at Cincinnati, Pittsburgh at Washington, Colorado at Atlanta, Arizona at Florida, Milwaukee at Houston, the Cubs at St. Louis, and San Francisco at San Diego. Righthander Tim Lincecum is the scheduled starter for the Giants on Thursday night; Lincecum was tagged with a loss by the Padres when he faced them on April 12.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The Hurricanes will be looking to tie up the Eastern Conference final at 1-1 on Thursday night when they take on the Penguins in Game 2 in Pittsburgh. Miroslav Satan and Philippe Boucher scored their first goals of the playoffs on Monday night as Pittsburgh edged Carolina 3-2. Evgeni Malkin had the other Pens goal in the victory, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves. Cam Ward stopped 28 shots for the Canes, while Chad LaRose and Joe Corvo both tallied.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Phil Mickelson was the 5/1 Vegas favorite to win this week’s PGA Tour stop, the HP Byron Nelson Championship, but he withdrew on Wednesday for personal reasons. Adam Scott, the 2008 champion, has struggled on Tour this year, and is back at 25/1 odds to grab the trophy this week. Justin Leonard, Ian Poulter, and Anthony Kim are all at 15/1, while Vijay Singh is in a group of golfers back at 20/1 odds to take the tournament being played at TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas.