NBA Pacific Division Betting Preview
By Matt Fargo
Covers.com
Golden State Warriors (2015-16: 73-9 SU, 45-35-2 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: -5000
Season Win Total: 66.5
Why To Bet The Warriors: After breaking the NBA record for regular season wins, the Warriors collapsed in the NBA Finals, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Cavaliers so that will provide plenty of motivation for Golden St. While the big offseason news was the signing of Kevin Durant, lost in that was the signing of quality role players Zaza Pachulia, David West and JaVale McGee so this will once again be the best team top to bottom.
Why Not To Bet The Warriors: Their quest for the NBA wins record could have had some effect on the Finals collapse but that is tough to determine.
Nonetheless, since the Warriors own the record, it is unlikely that they try and break their own record this season so we will probably see them resting more toward the end of the season as to make a big postseason run. Golden St. will get the best effort from every team they play every night.
Season Win Total Pick: Under 66.5
Los Angeles Clippers (2015-16: 53-29 SU, 40-39-3 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +700
Season Win Total: 53.5
Why To Bet The Clippers: There will be plenty of motivation for the Clippers following a great but lost season a year ago. They won 53 games and that was with Blake Griffin sitting a good deal of it but then the playoffs came and the luck went south when Griffin and Chris Paul were lost for the rest of the season in Game Four against Portland. A healthy roster the entire season should have the Clippers near the top of the conference.
Why Not To Bet The Clippers: Griffin has been hurt at some point each of the last two seasons and while he is still pretty young, the concern for injury is always there. Los Angeles has made the playoffs each of the last five seasons but has not been able to get past the Conference Semifinals so the goal is to get at least a top three seed but they are another injury away of another underachieving season.
Season Win Total Pick: Over 53.5
Sacramento Kings (2015-16: 33-49 SU, 38-43-1 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +15000
Season Win Total: 34
Why To Bet The Kings: The Kings have a roster full of talent led by DeMarcus Cousins and their 33 wins last season was the first time they eclipsed 30 wins since the 2007-08 season. Sacramento had a solid draft and picked up some talent in free agency with Aaron Afflalo, Matt Barnes, Jordan Farmar and Ty Lawson. Sacramento has a new head coach so maybe Dave Jeerer can right the sinking ship.
Why Not To Bet The Kings: Sacramento has not been relevant in years and it did not do much in the offseason to improve. While the Kings signed some solid players, they lost Rajon Rondo so they are weak at the point. Cousins is clearly the franchise player but most teams have at least two players they can rely on to help carry the team and the Kings simply do not have that. Another year of mediocrity is likely in the forecast.
Season Win Total Pick: Under 34
Phoenix Suns (2015-16: 23-59 SU, 36-46-0 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +25000
Season Win Total: 30
Why To Bet The Suns: It is hard to believe that Phoenix has not made the playoffs since the 2009-2010 season and while it looked as though they were making strides two years prior to last season, they took a big step back with just 23 wins. Injuries were the reason however and Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, who were both averaging around 20 ppg, are both healthy again and they form a great backcourt with Devin Booker.
Why Not To Bet The Suns: It takes more than a strong backcourt and with the Western Conference as loaded as it is, it is still an uphill battle for Phoenix. The Suns are not void of talent by any means but they are young and the frontcourt remains a big question mark. Center Alex Len is decent but Tyson Chandler is old and the hope is rookie Dragan Bender can produce right away. Phoenix has to avoid the injury bug to compete.
Season Win Total Pick: Over 30
Los Angeles Lakers (2015-16: 17-65 SU, 36-46-0 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +25000
Season Win Total: 24.5
Why To Bet The Lakers: The Lakers have nowhere to go but up. The Kobe farewell tour from last season clearly hurt and distracted this team so with him out of the picture, the young players have a chance to develop. Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell and rookie Brandon Ingram are an exciting young group that could make this team into something special. The hiring of Luke Walton as coach was perfect.
Why Not To Bet The Lakers: Randle and Clarkson are in their third year while Russell is just in his second year so while the future is bright, especially by adding Ingram, the present is still a big question mark. Veteran leadership is there with Metta World Peace and Luol Deng but there is not much more experience after that. While the Lakers should win more than the
17 games they won last year, it may not be much more.
Season Win Total Pick: Under 24