Landschaften und Orte » ome to or stay in Canada has dogged the Raptors si

LAS VEGAS -- Oddsmakers had trouble picking the favourite in what figures to be one of the most evenly matched -- and heavily bet -- Super Bowls ever. Bettors knew who they wanted, though, putting early money on Denver and making the Broncos a slight favourite to beat the Seattle Seahawks in most of this citys legal betting parlours. Denver was favoured by 1 point at several books in the early betting, while others had the Broncos as high as a 3-point pick. The move to the Broncos came after some books had initially made the Seahawks as much as a 2-point pick in the game. "Were just trying to figure out what the market will be and get a feel of where money will go," said Jay Kornegay, who runs the LVH sports book and initially had the Seahawks favoured. "At this point it doesnt take a lot to move the line." At the South Point sports book, Jimmy Vaccaro was on the phone talking about where he thought the line was going to go when a bettor came to the window and put $25,000 on the Broncos. That moved the game from pick em to the Broncos being favoured by 1 point, as the odds were adjusted to take in the bet. "Take your best shot," Vaccaro said. "Its an intriguing matchup with no clear cut favourite." Time was just running out in Seattles win over the San Francisco 49ers when the first odds for the Super Bowl were posted at most books. Bettors quickly reacted by putting most of the early money on the Broncos in an initial burst of enthusiasm for a game so even that some think it will break the record of $98.9 million bet in Nevadas legal sports books last year. "Its incredible already, theyre lined up betting this game like it started a half hour from now," Vaccaro said. "If we dont do $100 million on this game Id be really puzzled." Kornegay said he made the Seahawks a 2-point favourite in his opening line because the Seahawks have a slightly higher power rating than the Broncos and a defence that might be the key in a game played outdoors in what could be cold temperatures. "With the game being in New York and the early forecast for below normal temperatures that favours a defensive team," he said. "It also favours a running team and thats certainly an advantage to the Seahawks." Bettors, though, liked Peyton Manning and his chances of winning another Super Bowl, and they didnt wait long to bet the Broncos. Sports books adjust the line to try to balance money on each team, and the LVH went from posting Seattle as a 2-point favourite to Denver being favoured by 1 point in less than an hour. Most big bettors -- the so-called "sharps" who can move a line all by themselves -- wait until much closer to the game before placing their bets. "Its all small stuff now," Vaccaro said. "The smart guys are not going to grab either side right now until they see how this shakes out." 23:41ET 19-01-14 Doug Kotar Jersey . -- The Denver Broncos retired John Elways No. Odell Beckham Jr Jersey . Curlings version of the Ryder Cup will introduce a new format beginning with the 2015 event, set for Jan. 8 to 11 in Calgary, as itll be Team Canada taking on Team Europe this season and in the 2017 event, while itll be Team Canada against Team World (including the U. http://www.authenticnygiantspro.com/Customized/ .C. -- Gleason Fournier scored the shootout winner as the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Abbotsford Heat 4-3 Friday in American Hockey League action. Michael Strahan Jersey . Coetzees finish, with six birdies and no bogeys, took him to 19-under 268 overall and past South African compatriots Thomas Aiken and Justin Walters, the overnight co-leaders. Coetzee was flawless on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club to clinch his maiden title after 24 top 10 finishes. Dalvin Tomlinson Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014.TORONTO - As the country celebrated Canada Day two years ago the Raptors sent a small army to Manhattan, led by then general manager Bryan Colangelo, in an effort to recruit the most coveted free agent point guard on the market. The Raptors contingent - which included Dwane Casey, Jay Triano and Larry Tanenbaum - pulled out all the stops trying to sell Canadas own Steve Nash on a move to Toronto. After a two-hour meeting, highlighted by a video presentation featuring hockey icon Wayne Gretzky, the Raptors left Nash with a generous offer. Days later he turned them down, opting for less money and a better shot at a championship in Los Angeles. Colangelo went forward with his Plan B, a trade for Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry. Now the Raptors find themselves in a similar predicament, only this time the approach couldnt have been more dissimilar. They didnt send a front office mob, there was no video cameo made by The Great One. This time they left the kitchen sink in Toronto. Instead, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri and head coach Dwane Casey had a quiet sit down with Lowry in his hometown of Philadelphia Tuesday afternoon. True to form Ujiri and his coach exuded confidence. Calm, cool and collected, the Raptors brass did not find it necessary to camp out on Lowrys front porch at 12:01 AM, the time in which teams were able to officially commence negotiation with free agents. Their sales pitch centred on a simple premise, one that the team had already been preaching publicly for months - they want him back. What they didnt say, and would be reluctant to admit, is that they need him back. Rightly or wrongly, the perception that players dont want to come to or stay in Canada has dogged the Raptors since their inception. After all, Nash wasnt the first player to spurn the Raptors. Theres a long history of it in fact. Damon Stoudamire was the first star to want out, followed by Vince Carter - the franchises best player - seven years later. Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh each bolted via free agency, while both Kenny Anderson and Alonzo Morning refused to even put on the jersey. The new regime intends to snuff that stigma once and for all. Along with MLSE boss Tim Leiweke and global ambassador extraordinaire Drake, Ujiri has helped empower a fan base that had lost hope prior to their arrival a year ago.dddddddddddd "Why cant I change it," Ujiri said, challenging that perception as he was introduced as the Raptors new GM last June. "Its our job to make it better, its our job to make it good, its our job to create a winning environment and thats why Im here." With the embattled franchise finally on the precipice of turning the page and changing a culture that has beset them for the better part of the last 20 years, the stakes are much higher now than they were in 2012 when they struck out on Nash. For all the progress the Raptors made in 2014, turning heads as a result of their breakout campaign, spirited playoff run and We The North campaign, the wind could be taken out of their sails in a hurry should Lowry fly the coop, especially if he leaves for Houston or Miami. This is their first big test, one they dont intend to - and cant afford to - fail. Lowry is Torontos No. 1 priority, theyve made no secret of that. "Were going to go full force," Ujiri promised last week. And they have. The Raptors initial offer to Lowry was substantial, said to be in the $11-$12 million range annually over a four or potentially five-year term. A salary in that range would make Lowry the seventh highest paid point guard in 2014-15, not including Kyrie Irving whose max extension wont take into effect until the following season. Of course, theres more to Ujiris pursuit of Lowry than just pride. The Raptors GM would happily show Lowry, or any other player the door if he felt theyre not worth their price tag. Like any other investment, Lowry is a calculated risk but the Raptors are betting the 2013-14 version will be more of the norm than an anomaly going forward. Its because hes a player worthy of the money that Ujiri has done - and will continue to do - everything in his power to keep Lowry in a Raptors uniform. Still, the decision belongs to Lowry. The 28-year-old will take a few days to weigh his options with his family and agent Andy Miller as Raptors fans hold their collects breath. With Torontos 20th year anniversary season around the corner, keeping Lowry would go a long way in the continued saga to rewrite the franchises troubled history. 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