Father Grant Desme, Updated NFL Odds For AFC and NFC Championship Games Top News

In sports headlines, Grant Desme, a top prospect for the Oakland A's announced his retirement at age 23 to enter the priesthood. More hot stove: the NY Mets acquired Gary Matthews in a trade from the Anaheim Angels. In return, the Halos get relief pitcher Brian Stokes.

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Devils host the Canadiens, the Suns take on the Bulls, and the Celtics and Trail Blazers hit the hardwood in Boston.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The NBA has a busy slate of 13 games on tap for Friday, including Portland at Boston. The Trail Blazers picked up a 98-90 win in Philadelphia in their last game on Wednesday, with Andre Miller scoring a team-high 24 points in the win. Brandon Roy left that game early with a hamstring injury. The Celtics lost 92-86 in Detroit in their last game on Wednesday, with Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce each scoring 21 points in the losing cause. Rasheed Wallace tossed in 16 points.

Also on the NBA schedule for Friday: Sacramento at Orlando, Milwaukee at Toronto, Miami at Washington, Dallas at Philadelphia, Charlotte at Atlanta, the Lakers at New York, New Orleans at Minnesota, Indiana at Detroit, Oklahoma City at Memphis, New Jersey at Golden State, Houston at San Antonio, and Chicago at Phoenix. The Suns had no trouble getting past lowly New Jersey on Wednesday night, with Amare Stoudemire scoring 27 points in a 118-94 victory.

As well, the top two matchups on the college basketball schedule for Friday are Wofford at Charleston and St. Peter's at Niagara. The Peacocks (10-8 SU, 7-5 ATS) knocked off Loyola 48-43 in their last game; Nick Leon scored 20 points for St. Peter's in that win. The Purple Eagles (11-9 SU, 8-10-1 ATS) are coming off an easy 72-56 win over Marist. Rob Garrison led Niagara with 18 points that day.

 

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Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, the NHL offers up three games on Friday, with Dallas at Edmonton, Nashville at Colorado, and Montreal at New Jersey. The Canadiens were defeated 4-3 in overtime by the Blues in their last game on Wednesday night; Benoit Pouliot scored twice for Montreal in that loss, while Carey Price stopped 24 of 28 St. Louis shots. The Devils blanked the Panthers 2-0 in their last game Wednesday night. Martin Brodeur made 22 saves for the shutout for New Jersey.

NFL odds…

The new Prince Minnesota Vikings fight song "Purple and Gold" has debuted. The latest NFC Championship odds for the Vikings-Saints is New Orleans -4 and 52.5. In the AFC, it's the Jets-Colts with Indianapolis laying 7.5 at Just Bet Sportsbook with a total of just 39.5.  

Political betting news…

For fans of entertainment and political betting odds Yavaughnie Wilkins, the mistress of Barack Obama supporter Charles Phillips has gotten revenge on the married Romeo who ditched her. However her "soulmate forever" billboard was yanked from Times Square.