Little Nate highlights NBA All-Star festivities

Basketball Betting Lines

02/16/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson will have another chance to defy gravity when he opens defense of his Slam Dunk title Saturday night during the NBA All-Star Game festivities.

Robinson will join Boston's Gerald Green, Orlando's Dwight Howard and Chicago's Tyrus Thomas on NBA All-Star Saturday Night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on February 17. The 5-9 Robinson topped Philly's Andre Iguodala in a dunk-off last year with an attempt assisted by former champion Spud Webb on a bounce pass.

Even though Robinson needed a few tries to top Iguodala, he joined Webb as the only players six feet and under to capture a dunk title. Webb was crowned champion back in 1986.

Robinson will now try to become the first back-to-back dunk champion since Golden State's Jason Richardson turned the trick in 2002 and 2003. Robinson, Green, Howard and Thomas will be judged by former dunk champs and a few Hall of Famers in Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Julius Erving.

Saturday night's festivities will also feature the Three-Point Shootout, Skills Challenge, Shooting Stars contest, Rookie Challenge and Celebrity Game.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will try to defend his three-point title when he goes against Washington's Gilbert Arenas, Miami's Damon Jones and Jason Kapono, Memphis' Mike Miller and teammate Jason Terry. Nowitzki shot down Arenas and Seattle's Ray Allen in Houston last year.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade shoots for his second straight Skills Challenge title on Saturday. Wade defeated Cleveland superstar LeBron James last year after completing the obstacle course in 26.1 seconds. James finished with a 33.7-second time. Bryant, James and Phoenix guard Steve Nash are the other competitors, but Nash will miss the contest due to a shoulder injury. Hornets guard Chris Paul will take Nash's place in the Skills Challenge.

In the Shooting Stars contest, San Antonio will defend its title after beating out Los Angeles, Phoenix and Houston last year. Each team is comprised of a current NBA player, a former NBA star and a current WNBA player from the city.

The Rookie Challenge will feature NBA rookies versus second-year players in Las Vegas. Raptors rookie Andrea Bargnani will head a list of first- year players, including Jordan Farmar from the Lakers, Minnesota's Randy Foye, teammate Jorge Garbajosa, Memphis' Rudy Gay, Utah's Paul Millsap, Charlotte's Adam Morrison, Portland's Brandon Roy and New Jersey's Marcus Williams.

The Sophomore squad will be comprised of the Lakers' Andrew Bynum, Golden State's Monta Ellis, Charlotte's Raymond Felton, Indiana's Danny Granger, Houston's Luther Head, New York's David Lee, the Hornets' Paul and Utah's Deron Williams.

Iguodala posted 30 points as the Sophomores topped the Rookies, 106-96, last year at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Also on Friday, the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will take place in Las Vegas. The East team will have stars David Arquette, Taye Diggs, Carrot Top, Nelly and others, while the West squad will roll out the likes of Jamie Foxx, Jamie Kennedy, Reggie Bush and Tamika Catchings.

The NBA Developmental League will also have an All-Star Game early Saturday on Center Court at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

On Sunday, the 56th NBA All-Star Game will close out the weekend extravaganza.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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