Southwest Division NBA Picks
The 2014-15 NBA betting season is approaching with as much hype as any campaign in recent history. There have been player shifts all over the league that have contributed to the hype, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that the Southwest division is still one of the most competitive across all divisions in the Association.
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San Antonio Spurs
2013-14 Record: 62-20
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Every year we question the San Antonio Spurs based on their age alone, and every year they prove us wrong by being legitimate contenders. Last year, they took that proof to the ultimate level, as they took down the LeBron James-led Miami Heat in a Finals rematch, and now they’ll attempt to win back-to-back titles for the first time in franchise history.
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Entering 2014-15, we can still ask the same questions as years past. Are they too old to compete? Will they endure a significant injury that sets them back? The truth is, as long as Gregg Popovich is the man on the sidelines, this team should be a favorite. He’s done a miraculous job of keeping the veterans fresh while grooming the youth, and as a result, players like Kawhi Leonard are ready to take over in the near future.
Houston Rockets
2013-14 Record: 54-28
The Houston Rockets have endured a difficult stretch following their Game-6 loss in Round 1 of the 2014 playoffs. Not only were they shocked by Damian Lillard’s last-second three-pointer, but the ensuing offseason saw them miss out on multiple superstars, only to lose Chandler Parsons to in-state rival Dallas Mavericks.
Although the aforementioned description might sound like the Rockets are a mediocre team, this is still a championship-or-bust team. With James Harden and Dwight Howard leading the way, anything is possible. The hope is that the inexperienced role players will step up and come into their own, as having two stars is only the first step.
Memphis Grizzlies
2013-14 Record: 50-32
Last season, the Memphis Grizzlies were 50-32. As it pertains to the rest of the division, the Grizz were the third team in the Southwest to win 50 games, which is a testament to how impressive the division is as a whole.
In 2014-15, the Grizzlies have a new scoring threat in Vince Carter, which is exactly what this group has been missing. If the three-point shooting and clutch performances can match the effectiveness of one of the league’s grittiest defenses, the rest of the league needs to watch out.
Especially if this group can stay healthy.
Dallas Mavericks
2013-14 Record: 49-33
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Remember how the Southwest Division had three 50-win teams in 2013-14? They almost had four, as the Dallas Mavericks were just a win away from making that happen.
Last season, Dallas was looked at as a lottery team entering the season. They had endured a couple of disappointing offseasons in a row, and as a result, they were considered a fringe-playoff team at best by most national audiences.
As it turned out, “fringe” wasn’t an inaccurate way to describe the roster, as it qualified for the final playoff spot out West by the end of the year. This time, however, the Mavs have a shot at a fourth, fifth or sixth feed with the additions of Chandler Parsons, Tyson Chandler and Jameer Nelson, and while this doesn’t look like a championship team just yet, it’s doing wonders to set up one last run before Dirk Nowitzki calls it quits.
New Orleans Pelicans
2013-14 Record 34-48
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Like the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to improve this season. Unlike the Mavs, it has little to do with the players they brought in.
Although the team did make one significant acquisition in Omer Asik — someone the team hopes can combine forces with Anthony Davis to create one of the most imposing frontcourts in the league — this roster’s improvements will come from a (hopefully) clean bill of health. Davis, Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon have all experienced recent injury problems, and while even a healthy roster seems like a long shot to make the playoffs out West, creeping toward the eighth seed should be the goal.
Prediction
Until proven otherwise, this division belongs to the San Antonio Spurs. We could finally see things go against them this year, but until it actually happens, there’s no reason to bet against the defending champions.
Where it gets interesting is after first. Although Houston may have the better stars than the Dallas Mavericks, the Rockets look like more of a seventh or eighth seed than a team fighting for home-court advantage.
Early forecasts have San Antonio coming in first, followed by (in order of seeding) Dallas, Memphis, Houston and New Orleans.
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