Today, the NBA released its regular-season schedule for 2008-09, which includes a blockbuster opening night. In the first game, defending champs Boston will take on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers while Greg Oden will make his long-awaited NBA debut against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the second contest.

The following night, two of the biggest offseason moves from the Eastern Conference will be on display as Elton Brand and his new Philadelphia 76ers teammates square off against Jermaine O'Neal and his new Raptors running mates.

Some other intriguing matchups on the ledger include: A Halloween night affair between San Antonio and Portland, featuring Tim Duncan vs. Oden; the first Lakers-Suns matchup on November 20th, where Shaq can ask Kobe how his ass tastes; a crazy Christmas quintuple featuring Hornets-Magic, Spurs-Suns, Wizards-Cavs, Mavericks-Blazers and, of course, Celtics-Lakers.

For all the latest NBA betting lines, odds, futures and props, head on over to the Bodog Sportsbook today and get in on the action! Currently, the Celtics are the odds-on favorite to capture the 2090 NBA Championship at 3/1 – get your NBA basketball futures today!

With so much spare time on his hands rehabbing from microfracture surgery on his knee, Portland Trailblazers C Greg Oden has had some time to himself.

What has he done with it? Shopped for pink argyle sweaters, chopped himself a nappy faux-hawk and dabbled in politics. That last point might be of the most importance, since Oden went on Jim Rome's television show and announced his support for Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

Check it out:

Nice look, Greg. (Video courtesy of YouTube)

"I can't say I know every single one of his [Obama's] policies by heart," Oden told the Indy Star in a recent telephone interview, "but I've done enough homework to know what I like about him. I really feel more strongly about young people voting, about making an educated decision. I'm not trying to tell people what to do or who to vote for, just to educate themselves and participate. What could be the harm in that?"

As long as you stay away from giving them fashion and or hair style advice…

Will the support from Oden tip the balance in Obama's favor? The Bodog Sportsbook has all your Politics Betting and U.S. Presidential Odds now, so cash in today!