This may potentially be a preview of the first round match up for the Western Conference playoffs. The Utah Jazz (37-18) hosts the LA Lakers (31-25) in what promises to be an explosive game. In the tough Western Conference, home court may be an advantage to progress to the next round, especially if the series go to 7 games. With about 30 games remaining, serious teams will start making their push now.

In the past 10 home games against the Lakers, Utah has a 7-3 record. On the ATS, Utah also have a 7-3 record at home against LA. In their past 10 games, Utah is 8-2 while the Lakers are 3-7. This season, the Jazz are 22-6 at home while the Lakers are 11-16 on the road. LA just completed a horrible Eastern road trip.

The Jazz is missing Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko. In the absence of Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur had carried the Jazz to some memorable victories. Now, Boozer will be available to boost the Jazz again. Kirilenko is a leading contributor off the bench so it will be interesting to see how Jerry Sloan adapts to these absences. The Lakers are having serious injury problems. Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, Smush Parker, Vladimir Radmanovic and Luke Walton are all injured. This has caused tremendous problems for the Lakers because they rely much on the triangle offence but without the necessary players, the Lakers have been very ordinary. Even Kobe Bryant is insufficient. He loves to play against Utah when he single handedly dismantled them. However, it will take more than just Kobe to beat the Jazz. They are a deep team.

This will be a close game. Take the Lakers at (+6.5) Handicap offered at Bodog.

The Toronto Raptors have been one of the hottest teams in recent weeks. With a young nucleus of talented players, they have been the surprise package of the season. The San Antonio Spurs are close to their best behind a series of inspired performances. Will the young upstarts upset the old foxes in their backyard?

In 10 home games against the Raptors, San Antonio has a 7-3 record. On the ATS, has a 4-6 record. This is probably due to the fact that the Spurs had big leads going into the final quarter as reserves will be played for longer minutes. Currently, the Spurs have won 6 of the last 10 games, riding a 5 game wining streak. The Raptors have won 8 of their last 10. The Spurs are 18-8 at home while the Raptors are 11-17 on the road.

The Spurs have no injury problems. Surprisingly, the Raptors are also at full strength. This will make for a good contest. With battle hardened veterans, San Antonio has been going deep into the playoffs for a decade now. Their roster reads like a who’s who of NBA basketball. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Brent Barry, Horry, Finley and others, the Spurs certainly have the players to win another NBA crown. Meanwhile, the Raptors have been a sorry franchise for many years. Qualifying for the playoffs can be considered a grand success in Toronto. In Chris Bosh, they have a leader who comes to play every night. T.J. Ford, Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani and Mo Peterson are averaging at least 10 points per game. With a capable bench, they will give many teams a good run for the money.

Take the Raptors at +7.5pts Handicap with Bodog. These young guns are for real.

Without Steve Nash, the Suns have lost 3 straight before the All-Star Break. Even Shawn Marion felt the pinch, scoring no more than 12 points in the absence of the two-time MVP. Since Nash returned from his shoulder injury three games ago, the Suns have won all their games, with the man himself contributing 13.3 assists a game, and Marion finding form again with 25 points a game. Now they are a full-court basketball team, they say. After defeating the Timberwolves 116-104 on Friday, the Suns travel to Atlanta with a score to settle. Playing without Nash, the Suns fell 120-111 to the Hawks at home on Feb. 9. Former Suns Joe Johnson took charge in that game with 32 points to end the Suns’ 5-game winning streak against the Hawks.

It is tough times for the Hawks as they are playing their toughest stretch of games this season, 4 top 5 teams in a row. Having lost 103-96 against San Antonio and then redeeming themselves with a 105-99 victory over the Rockets, Atlanta seems to be taking the pressure well, and gaining confidence in offense. Looks like Johnson is enjoying himself playing the big guns with an average of 30.5 points in those two games, and should be at his best against the Suns. Bodog gives the Hawks a 9.5-point headstart, which is quite a lot to overcome, especially against a defensive team at home. Expect the Suns to win, but not so many.

This is quite a sentimental matchup as far as Ron Artest is concerned. The former Pacer is returning to the Conseco Fieldhouse for the second time where he hopes to help the Kings to their first victory in the last 5 road games. The first time Artest played in Indiana as a King, he was booed every single time he touched the ball, and that did enough to limit him psychologically, as he managed only 6 for 22 shooting in that game. Despite dropping their last two games, the Kings had Artest contributing more than 30 points each game, and he looks all set to take on the Pacers tonight, not forgetting the fans of course. However, it depends on how his teammates stand behind him on this. In their 109-96 loss to the Nets on Friday, Artest had 33 points, but his fellow starters only combined for 11 points, which reveals what sort of teamwork is happening in Sacramento, if any at all.

The Pacers were on a 3-game winning streak before they dropped their last game 110-88 to the Raptors on Friday. Jamaal Tinsley had 19 points and Jermaine O’Neal managed 17 as they were held to 36.8 percent shooting for the lowest scoring game since their 87-point effort against the Pistons on Jan. 28. But you can count on the Pacers to stand strong at home, having won 3 straight. Bodog gives a +5.5 Handicap to the Kings. Go for the Pacers to beat that.

With the departure of Neteller from the US market emerge a wannabe replacement called Youteller, are they really the next Neteller to come and save the day? Unfortunately the name “teller” similarity ends here, yes they are a new ewallet, no they will not be as good as Neteller. A press release by Youteller stated that they will follow the Gmail model whereby it will be a community based payment processor. The “beta” testing will only be open to 1,000 lucky early registered users - “Our servers could not handle the traffic if we open our doors for a public sign up. But it is our first priority to provide our customers with a stable service and a reliable support” said spokesman Florian Schweitzer.

Now I’m a skeptical person, surely they need more than 1,000 users to test out their new product, which sportsbook, casino or poker site will be the first to accept their solution? Are all the 1,000 be using the same site? As far as the news go there’s no gambling venue that’s using their platform at the moment, so how are the users going to test? If your server can’t handle more than 1,000 clients surely something is amiss?

Here comes the good part! You can ONLY have Euro$150 in your account at any one time, reason given - “not interesting for terrorists or other criminals” and also “The security system can track money laundering networks easily” . Errr ok!

Are we at Sportsbookie being harsh on the newcomer? Afraid so, we need a viable solution to Neteller and so far Youteller is definitely not it, let’s wait and see.

Manchester United will look to extend their lead at the top of the table to 9 points when they visit Craven Cottage to meet Fulham.

Chelsea play Arsenal in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, and victory at Craven Cottage could see United move further ahead of the Blues in the league table. Sir Alex’s side have shown some remarkable form this season, and conjured a goal out of nowhere to beat Lille 1-0 in midweek. Wingers Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo suffered knocks in that game, but they have been declared fit and are expected to play. United also have a FA cup replay against Reading to come, and Ferguson will have one eye on that. The Red Devils demolished Fulham 5-1 in the opening game of the season, with Wayne Rooney scoring a brace. Fulham were guilty of being too defensive minded in that game, and Coleman will want to ensure that his side don’t give the Red Devils too much respect.

The Cottagers are 14th in the table and suffered a 4-0 mauling against London rivals Tottenham in the FA Cup. Fulham have not beaten United at home since 1964, and they do have a depleted side for this game. Franck Quedrue picked up an ankle injury in training, so Liam Rosenior will deputise at left back. Vincenzo the ”Aeroplane” Montella is suspended for this game. Anti Niemi and Ian Pearce are also unavailable. Skipper Michael Brown returns after serving his suspension and he is a very influential player for them.. Most of Fulham’s wins have been by a one goal margin. They depend too much on McBride and Helguson upfront.

I don’t see United being stopped, and Fulham have kept only one clean sheet in their last 8 games. 3-0 to United, with Rooney, Ronaldo and Saha on the scoresheet. Fulham might sneak in a goal, but I don’t see them getting any points from this one..