SPORTS N STUFF

When head coach Rex Ryan went all in on the sports betting potential to land free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, he did so knowing full well that he may have to give up some of his toys in order to land the big score. Not only did Ryan sacrifice a couple of key weapons in Brad Smith and Braylon Edwards while chasing Asomugha, he failed to land the Pro Bowl defender as well. Ryan will come face-to-face with the man he failed to net this week as the preseason comes to an end, with Asomugha and the Philadelphia Eagles paying a visit to the New York Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Jets

Thursday September 1, 2011 7:30 PM ET

New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

NFL Betting Lines: Philadelphia Eagles 2.5
Asomughas arrival in Philadelphia has allowed defensive coordinator Juan Castillo to create more looks, and with Asante Samuel and Domenique Rodgers-Cromartie there as well the Eagles have the best secondary in the league when in the nickel.

NFL Betting Preview: Philadelphia Eagles

For as good as that secondary has looked, the Eagles still have one big question mark to answer in terms of whether or not that loaded secondary is strong enough to cover up deficiencies at linebacker. Philadelphia has enough talent in its front four that defensive line coach Jim Washburn can make it a team strength so there is little to worry about there, but with an inexperienced group of linebackers there are concerns that the Eagles could have troubles stopping the run. Michael Vick and the offense bounced back nicely from a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers to soar past the Cleveland Browns 24-14, and that means we likely will see more Vince Young in the final exhibition game.
NFL Betting Preview: New York Jets

The Jets will have to survive the shortest week of their year when they take on the Eagles only three nights after battling the New York Giants, which is a strong indication that they will not have most of their starters in the lineup. That will benefit the team in the long run as Ryan gets a closer look at the depth players left on his roster, with tough decisions to make before final cuts. New York may not have the depth that they have had in past years, but there is still time for someone to emerge and make their presence felt.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

Even with Vince Young handling the majority of the snaps, it is unlikely that the Eagles will be able to move the ball much against a strong defense looking to finish the preseason on a high note. The problem for the Jets is that the roster will have little time to rest and recover with only two full nights in between games, and that should take something out of their urgency, especially for the sports betting bonus starters.

NFL Betting Pick: Eagles 2.5

Very rarely do teams put a ton of sports betting stock into the preseason schedule, but after blowing away their first two opponents by a combined 78-26 score, there were more than a few eyebrows raised when the New England Patriots were blown up 34-10 by the Detroit Lions. Head coach Bill Belichick was the first to say his team needed to perform with more urgency following the loss, and they should respond in the final week of the preseason with a game against the New York Giants on Thursday.

New York Giants @ New England Patriots

Thursday September 1, 2011 7:30 PM ET

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

NFL Betting Lines: New England Patriots 4.5
The Giants will be in tough to resist a talented and determined Patriots team that they will play only three nights after throwing down with the rival New York Jets on Monday Night Football. New York has shown a strong resolve so far this preseason, but still have some question marks due in main part to injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
NFL Betting Preview: New York Giants

There is no question that this game will bring criticism on the comparison made between Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, and it will interesting to see how both perform. Whether it is water under the bridge or both players show that competitive edge that they have become known for will be interesting to see, but it is clear that Manning is the one that needs more work on his timing. Of bigger concern to New York is a defense that has been hit by the injury bug early this preseason, and while depth is still an issue, this game could be more about simply surviving with the team that much more vulnerable to injuries just three nights removed from their previous game.

NFL Betting Preview: New England Patriots

It was more than the final score at the end of the Patriots first two games, it was the way in which the team was able to hit that mark. New England didnt look nearly as sharp against the Lions this past week on either side of the ball, and the team will definitely play with more urgency in their final tune up before making the trip to Miami to face the division-rival Dolphins in week one. Rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett will likely see a ton of action, and it will be crucial for his development to have a strong outing.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

The way in which Belichick and the Patriots handle their business, there is little doubt that they will bounce back with a huge win in this game. The Giants are tired and not prepared for a second game in four sports betting bonus nights, and it will show right from the opening kickoff.

NFL Betting Pick: Patriots 4.5

The NFL Players Associations executive board will hold a conference call Wednesday to discuss the HGH testing the league wants to implement this season.

The two sides are far apart, however, from agreeing on using the blood test for this season.

Union officials said last week they had not received data from the World Anti-Doping Agency that would make them feel comfortable with the testing. They are seeking information about the tests reliability and safety.

The NFL would be the first of the major American professional sports leagues to implement human growth hormone testing. Such testing was included in the new collective bargaining agreement, but implementation was contingent upon the unions approval of the test and an appeals process.

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Whether he was running the bases on his three-run double or striking out another overmatched Reds batter, Roy Halladay looked awfully fresh.

The right-hander allowed a pair of hits in seven innings and drove in three runs with the second double of his career on Tuesday night, leading the Phillies to a 9-0 victory over a Cincinnati team that cant figure out what to do against Philadelphia.

“Were basically like we always have been,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “We play out the game. We stay with it.”

Halladay (16-5) gave up Brandon Phillips leadoff single in the first inning, then dominated the team he no-hit in the playoffs last season. His bases-loaded double in the sixth inning off Bronson Arroyo (8-11) made it 6-0.

It was especially pleasing for Halladay, given the way hes been rained on the last few weeks. He pitched only twice during a 21-day stretch because of rainouts, the most recent one last Saturday, and was a little concerned about how it would affect him.

“I dont know what the word is – its one of those things you cant control,” said Halladay, who threw 108 pitches. “Youre trying to get into a rhythm and it makes it difficult.

“I felt fresh. I felt like my location early on wasnt great. I got into a rhythm as the game went on.”

So did the rest of the Phillies.

Ryan Howard hit two of the Phillies four homers, giving him 29 for the season. He also reached 100 RBIs for the sixth straight year, a team record. Howard had been tied with Hall of Famer Chuck Klein for consecutive 100-RBI seasons.

Raul Ibanez returned from a strained groin and had a two-run homer among his three hits. Hunter Pence also hit a solo homer off Arroyo, who has given up the most in the majors.

The Phillies improved to 5-1 against the Reds this season and 19-6 lately. They swept their three-game division series last season, which started with Halladay throwing the second postseason no-hitter in history.

When he gets together with the Reds, memorable things tend to happen.

Any thoughts of another no-hitter were dismissed on his second pitch. Phillips singled to right field, extending his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest by a Red this season. The Reds wouldnt get another hit until Joey Votto doubled in the seventh. Halladay walked two, hit one batter and fanned nine.

“Halladay wasnt sharp early,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He threw a lot of pitches. Its always a game changer when you get on a guy like that early.”

Cincinnati couldnt do it. The Reds managed four hits while getting blanked for the seventh time. Philadelphias 18 shutouts lead the majors.

Halladay will remember this one more for his swing.

He came to bat in the sixth with the bases loaded and lined a down-the-middle slider the opposite way into the right-field corner.

“I couldnt tell you where it was,” Halladay said. “Im guessing it was down the middle or I couldnt have hit it.”

His awkward swing produced his first RBIs of the season and ended Arroyos outing. The right-hander fell to 1-7 career against the Phillies.

Howard connected off Arroyo in the fourth. Pence hit a chest-high pitch for a homer that started the rally in the sixth. Arroyo has given up 36 homers, the most ever by a Reds right-hander. Left-hander Eric Milton holds the franchise record of 40 homers allowed.

Notes: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski shagged balls during batting practice and threw a ceremonial pitch. … It was Howards third multihomer game of the season and the 28th of his career. … After the game, the Phillies optioned RH Michael Schwimer to Triple-A. Theyll make a corresponding move on Wednesday. … The Phillies will start LH Cliff Lee in their third game against Cincinnati on Wednesday. Lee has won his last five starts. He beat the Reds on May 26 in Philadelphia, improving to 5-2 career against them. … Cincinnati will start left-hander Dontrelle Willis, who is still trying for that elusive first win of the season. Hes 0-3 after nine starts. The bullpen has blown three save chances behind him. … Paul Janish pinch-hit and flied out, leaving the Reds SS in an 0-for-23 rut.

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CBSSports.com wire reports
Aug. 31, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Theres no explaining Andre Ethiers hot hitting during the Dodgers homestand.

At least not from him.

The sluggers grand slam capped an eight-run second inning that included six walks by Tim Stauffer — three with the bases-loaded — to help Los Angeles beat the San Diego Padres 8-5 on Tuesday night.

“We played a good game, guys had a lot of fun, [Hiroki] Kuroda pitched a good game,” a smiling Ethier repeated over and over to reporters, no matter the question asked.

Asked why he wouldnt discuss his individual performance, he merely smiled and didnt respond.

Ethier hadnt talked to the media the past two days after his comments in a column Sunday implied that he didnt want to finish out the season because of a sore right knee.

He went 3 for 4 to follow up his three-hit game Monday, giving him back-to-back three-hit games for the fourth time in his career. He is 8 for 15 on the homestand after going 0 for 14 on the Dodgers recent road trip.

“Its hard to explain really when guys get hot,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “Whatever it is, its working.”

Ethiers offensive production has coincided with the Dodgers winning seven of their past eight.

“When we got him going, were a dangerous team. Hopefully we can take this into September and see where we stand,” said Matt Kemp, who drew four walks — one intentional — against Stauffer.

“It doesnt matter how bad he was missing because a ball is a ball,” he said.

The last-place Padres have dropped six in a row and lost six straight at Dodger Stadium.

Kuroda (11-14) allowed seven hits and four runs in six innings, struck out three and walked two to win his career-high fourth in a row. He tied his career high for wins set last season. The right-hander is 3-0 against the Padres this season.

Javy Guerra pitched the ninth to earn his 12th save in 13 chances.

Stauffer (8-11) imploded in his shortest outing of the season. The right-hander gave up one hit and seven runs in only 1 2/3 innings, walked a career-high seven and struck out two.

Stauffer did some walking of his own afterward, leaving the clubhouse before reporters were let in.

“I just think he had a rough game,” Padres manger Bud Black said. “Hes been one of the best pitchers in the National League. Tonight was extremely uncharacteristic. Im sure hes extremely upset with his performance, but hes got a good head on his shoulders and hell turn the page on this.”

It was the most walks in an inning since Baltimores Daniel Cabrera had six in the first inning against Boston on April 7, 2006, according to Stats LLC. The Red Sox won 14-8.

Stauffers walks set a club record for the most in an inning, eclipsing the five by Juan Eichelberger in the second inning against St. Louis on Aug. 29, 1981.

“He was trying to throw strikes. It just didnt happen,” Black said.

There were 16 walks issued in the game, with the Dodgers having 12, their most since having 14 against Atlanta on April 21, 1999.

Ethier singled to lead off the outburst before Stauffer walked Aaron Miles. He struck out A.J. Ellis, then walked Jamey Carroll to load the bases for the first time. Kuroda walked to force in the Dodgers first run.

Justin Sellers sacrifice fly made it 2-0. Stauffer allowed back-to-back walks to James Loney and Matt Kemp, forcing in the third run. Juan Rivera walked to force in another run before Stauffer was pulled.

Anthony Bass relieved Stauffer and gave up a grand slam to Ethier on his first pitch, extending the lead to 8-0 — a season-high runs in one inning for the Dodgers.

“I looked up and there were eight runs on three hits. You dont see that too often,” Mattingly said. “He lost his groove or whatever. It wasnt really typical of that club.”

It wasnt a total walk in the park for the Dodgers.

Kuroda stumbled in the sixth, when the Padres scored four runs, including back-to-back home runs by Kyle Blanks — who had a three-run shot — and former Dodger Orlando Hudson. The Padres cut the margin to 8-5 in the seventh on Jesus Guzmans RBI double off Matt Guerrier.

“Since I had the run support, I shouldve pitched a lot better,” Kuroda said through a translator. “I was becoming too cautious. I didnt want anymore men on base. I tried to hit the corners, but I made some mistake pitches.”

Notes

The last time the Dodgers scored eight runs in an inning was May 25, 2009, against Colorado in the seventh. … Kemp scored a run for the seventh consecutive game, the longest such streak on the Dodgers this season. … The Padres recalled OF Blake Tekotte from Double-A San Antonio and optioned RHP Erik Hamren to Triple-A Tucson. … Eight of Ethiers 11 home runs have been at Chavez Ravine. … Led by Hall of Famer Vin Scully, all eight of the Dodgers broadcasters will return in 2012. The team said Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin, Rick Monday, Fernando Valenzuela, Pepe Yniguez, Charley Steiner, Steve Lyons and Eric Collins will be back. The Dodgers recently surveyed season-ticket holders about their broadcasters, asking fans to rate each of them on things like accuracy of calls, knowledge of baseball, and knowledge of the franchise. The results werent announced.

CBSSports.com wire reports
Aug. 31, 2011

SEATTLE — Mike Trout failed to make much of an impression when he was first promoted to the Los Angeles Angels in July.

Now its hard not to notice him.

Trout, considered by many scouts to be the best prospect in baseball, had two home runs and five RBI to lead the Angels to a 13-6 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.

The Angels are still 3½ games behind Texas in the AL West as the Rangers also won.

The youngest player in the majors at 20 years, 23 days, Trout started the onslaught in the second with a solo shot into the left-field bullpen on a 3-2 pitch from Anthony Vasquez (1-1).

Vasquez, making his second big-league start, walked the first two batters in the fourth before Trout added a three-run blast into the left-field seats for a 4-0 lead.

“I dont have that anxiousness to hit the ball,” Trout said. “The first time I got up here I wanted to hit it hard every time to impress everyone. Now Im just trying to be myself and not trying to do too much.”

He made his big-league debut July 8 but in 14 games he hit only .163 with one home run and six RBI. He was sent back to Double-A Arkansas July 29 before being recalled Aug. 19.

Since his recall, he has gone 9 for 21 with four home runs. He has three home runs in the past two games and now five in his 65-at-bat career.

“Since the first [callup] its like two different things,” he said. “The first couple weeks, I was jittery. Now I actually feel calm in the box, looking for my pitch.”

Manager Mike Scioscia said that Trout, the teams first-round draft choice in 2009, is just continuing where he left off in the minors where he hit .333 with 10 extra-base hits in 16 games.

“He wasnt overmatched his first go-around. Maybe didnt get as many hits to fall in but he wasnt overmatched,” Scioscia said. “No doubt when you come up here, no matter how talented you are, when you start to have success and start to achieve, thats the litmus test, thats the proving ground and you carry that momentum forward. And it becomes confidence.

“Hes doing some things that should give any player confidence.”

He is the youngest Angels player to hit two home runs in a game.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge that Trout “is a very talented young man and has some strength in that swing.”

The Angels have hit at least one home run in 20 of the past 21 games. They also have 75 road home runs compared to 48 at home.

Seattle scored two in the fourth to cut the lead in half but it blew up for Vasquez and the Mariners in the Angels eight-run fifth inning. The first eight hitters all scored.

It was the Angels biggest inning this season and the most runs in an inning since scoring nine on Aug. 16, 2009, in the 13th at Baltimore.

Vasquez, the son of an Angels area scout, gave up the first two runs — he was charged with eight overall — and left with runners on first and third and one out.

Jeff Gray entered and walked three consecutive batters, forcing in two runs. Erick Aybar had the innings biggest hit, a two-run double.

This was the sixth time this season the Angels have scored 10 or more runs. It was their second-highest scoring game, two short of a season-high 15 on April 19 at Texas.

All those runs gave comfort to Jerome Williams (2-0), who, like Vasquez, was making his second career start. He disposed of nine consecutive Mariners on only 23 pitches over his first three innings.

“I dont believe hes 20,” Williams said of Trout. “He got me two tonight. He helped me a lot.”

The Mariners reached Williams in the fourth. Mike Carp hit a RBI double into the left-field corner and Miguel Olivo beat out a RBI infield single to deep short.

The Mariners added another pair in the seventh on a two-out, bases-loaded single by Ichiro Suzuki. That extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

Williams went seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Olivo, who had three hits, picked up his second infield-hit RBI in the Mariners two-run eighth off Bobby Cassevah.

Notes

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said when rosters expand Thursday “well definitely add a pitcher and a couple position players.” Eventually, the club plans to add eight or nine players besides four or five callups. The Mariners also should have three veterans back from the DL early next month: 1B Justin Smoak (broken nose), 3B Chone Figgins (right hip flexor) and SS/2B Jack Wilson (heel). “Im anxious to see [Smoak] play,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “He needs to play up here.” The Mariners will send Felix Hernandez (12-11, 3.37 ERA) to the mound Wednesday. He will be opposed by Dan Haren (13-7, 3.19). Hernandez went 13-12 last season when he won the AL Cy Young Award. He is 4-9 in 23 career starts against the Angels. Haren is 9-4 in 17 career starts against Seattle.

Rick Adelman is back in Minnesota to meet with the Timberwolves again, the second time this month that he has traveled from his home in Oregon to talk about the teams vacant head coaching position.

Adelman arrived in the Twin Cities on Tuesday to meet with owner Glen Taylor and other Timberwolves officials, a person with knowledge of the discussions told the Associated Press. The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because neither side is commenting publicly on the process.

Adelman also traveled to Minnesota on Aug. 23 to talk about replacing the fired Kurt Rambis.

The 65-year-old Adelman is 945-616 in 20 seasons as a head coach of the Trail Blazers, Kings, Warriors and Rockets. He parted ways with the Rockets in April, and Houston hired former Timberwolves coach and general manager Kevin McHale to take over the team.

Adelman said at the end of last season that he still had a lot of coaching left in him, though many believed he would prefer to take a year away, just as he has between every other stop during his career.

But the NBA lockout could give him plenty of time off if the players union and the owners dont resolve their considerable differences soon, and Adelman has a history with Timberwolves All-Star Kevin Love that could make the job an attractive one for him.

Love played on the same Oregon high school team as Adelmans son, and the two got to know each other well while Adelman attended the games. The Timberwolves also have an intriguing young cast around Love, including Spanish import Ricky Rubio, swingman Wesley Johnson, No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams and Michael Beasley.

The athletic group would seem to fit with the kind of system Adelman has been known for running, which is exactly what Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn wants.

Adelman runs the kind of up-tempo, free-flowing offensive system that Kahn has wanted to install in Minnesota ever since he took over in 2009. Kahn clashed with Rambis over the philosophy, which ultimately led to Kahns decision to fire the coach after just two seasons.

Adelman has coached 19 full seasons, leading the Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. He coached the Warriors to back-to-back losing seasons in 1995-96 and `96-97, the only times he has coached a full season and had a team finish with a losing record.

The Timberwolves are coming off an NBA-worst 17-65 season. They have also interviewed Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Don Nelson, Larry Brown, Sam Mitchell and Bernie Bickerstaff for the job.

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The Green Bay Packers have had one of the most charming traditions in the NFL for the past 50 years.

Every training camp, the players pick children out of the crowd and ride their bicycles from the Lambeau Field locker room to the community-owed teams practice facility across the street. At the end of practice they make the ride back to the locker room.

Vince Lombardi was the first coach to ask his players to do it, hoping it built the relationship with the fans. An NFL spokeswoman knows of no other team that does anything similar.

Most of the players get a kick out of it: They get a break after practice, biking along while an eager fan carries their shoulder pads and helmet.

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A former bodyguard for NFL football player Adam “Pacman” Jones has been sentenced in Las Vegas to probation, community service and anger management counseling for his role in a Las Vegas strip club fracas and shooting that left three people wounded in February 2007.

Robert “Big Rob” Reid, 31, of Compton, Calif., was sentenced Thursday by Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon after pleading an equivalent of no contest in December 2007 to misdemeanor conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct, said his lawyer, Robert Langford.

“It closes the case or Mr. Reid,” Langford said Tuesday. He said Reid still works as a bodyguard and has been involved in the filming of a reality TV show featuring strippers touring on a bus.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal first reported Reids sentencing ( ) on Tuesday.

Authorities allege that Jones instigated the shooting by throwing wads of dollar bills from a large plastic trash bag onto a stage at the club, called Minxx, during NBA All-Star game weekend in Las Vegas.

Jones, 27, now plays defensive cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals. He has denied a role in the shooting.

Police alleged that Jones met outside the club with Arvin Kenti Edwards of Renton, Wash., before Edwards opened fire.

Edwards, 32, was sentenced earlier this month to four to 10 years in prison after entering a so-called Alford plea to attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon. The plea avoided trial and spared Edwards an admission of guilt but acknowledged that prosecutors could prove the case against him.

Jones is serving one year of probation for his Alford plea in December 2007 to conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct – the same against Reid.

Jones could face a hearing in Las Vegas about whether an arrest in July at an Ohio bar violated terms of that sentence.

The district attorney in Las Vegas, David Roger, has said he was reviewing police accounts of Jones arrest on charges of resisting arrest and misdemeanor disorderly conduct before deciding whether to ask a Nevada judge if Jones violated a stay-out-of-trouble order.

Roger didnt immediately respond Tuesday to messages seeking comment.

Langford, who also represents Jones, said he didnt think Jones case in Ohio would lead to a hearing in Las Vegas.

Jones was a 2005 first-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans. Hes been in and out of legal trouble, with at least six arrests over the years and involvement in about a dozen situations that included police intervention.

He was suspended by the league for the entire 2007 season and six games in 2008 following off-field incidents. He sat out the 2009 season before signing a two-year deal in May 2010 to play for Cincinnati.

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With Olympic berths at stake and their league in limbo, Dirk Nowitzki and other NBA stars have flocked home for the European Championship to help their nations try to qualify for the 2012 London Games.

The tournament in Lithuania starts Wednesday and runs through Sept. 18, and the two finalists are the only teams among the 24 entries guaranteed slots in London. Four other teams will earn places in a later qualifying event.

Nowitzki is just one of the NBA stars back home as the lockout continues. Tony Parker leads France, and Pau Gasol and brother Marc are back for defending champion Spain.

Germanys hopes received a major boost with Nowitzki coming back to the national team after two years.

Nowitzki was the MVP of the NBA finals after leading the Mavericks over the Heat. He was always eager to play for Germany, but there was some doubt the 33-year-old forward would return after his long season.

“Ive been to the Olympics and it was the best experience of my life, so I want to help the young players get there as well,” said Nowitzki, Germanys flag bearer at the Beijing Games in 2008.

“I think we have a good bunch and I think we can qualify,” he said.

Nowitzki and Clippers center Chris Kaman reported to the German team late in August, after the rest of their teammates had several weeks of preparations.

“Its fantastic to have Dirk back after two years, but our job at the Europeans remains very hard,” Germany coach Dirk Bauermann said.

Nowitzki experienced some discomfort in his right knee during Fridays warmup game against Macedonia, but still played 26 minutes and contributed 13 points in a 70-68 win.

“It was better in the second half,” Nowitzki said.

Germany has perhaps the toughest of the four six-team pools. Its in Group B in Siualai with France, Italy, Israel, Latvia and Serbia, the runner-up at the last Europeans and a semifinalist at the World Championships in Turkey last year.

Without Nowitzki, Germany beat Serbia in a friendly. Serbia won an exhibition tournament of former Yugoslav republics, all accomplished teams, but then also lost to Croatia, Australia and France. Its captain is Nenad Krstic, the former Oklahoma City and Boston center.

“France has much more experience and so does Spain and some other teams,” Krstic said. “We are an average team but we always have extra motivation at big championships.”

Serbia coach Dusan Ivkovic said he expected the tournament to be “the best [European] championship ever and thats good for basketball.”

France is physical and loaded with talent, from Parker, the Spurs point guard, to the Bulls center Joakim Noah and the Trail Blazers swingman N Andrea Bargnani of the Raptors, Danilo Gallinari of the Nuggets and Marco Belinelli of New Orleans.

Spain should be the team to beat, with the Gasol brothers in a group that has been together for a long time and won the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

“We will try to get a good position for the quarterfinals, and from there go for it all. The games in the first phase are important and we hope to get stronger as we get deeper in the competition,” said Pau Gasol, the Lakers center.

Rudy Fernandez, newly acquired by the Mavericks, is recovering his form after injuring his arm. Ricky Rubio, the playmaker headed for the Timberwolves, will be under special scrutiny. Spain also has Thunder forward Serge Ibaka.

“When we are playing hard we have the capacity to intimidate our rivals with Ibaka, Pau, Marc and also Victor Claver, who can all get up high. But its the entire teams job since the outside players have to defend from the perimeter,” coach Sergio Scariolo said.

Spain has a tough draw matching up against host Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Britain and World Championship runner-up Turkey, in Group A in Panevezys.

Group C in Alytus has four former Yugoslav republics: Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia, plus Greece and Finland.

Group D in Klaipeda has Slovenia, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia and Belgium.

The top three teams from each group advance to the second round with two pools of six teams each that will produce the quarterfinalists.

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