2019 Western Conference Season Basketball Preview
Looking for NBA Western Conference 2019 predictions? Player movement has positioned Los Angeles as the home the NBA’s two favorites. The West has depth, though. Six of the first eight title favorites play out West, including the Golden State Warriors, who are offering their juiciest title odds in recent memory as they transition to a post-Kevin Durant era.
2019 Western Conference Season Preview
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While the Jazz (14/1) and Nuggets (16/1) lurk as outside title contenders, I’m going to focus this write-up on the top four out West: the Clippers, Lakers, Rockets, and Warriors.
NBA Western Conference 2019 Odds: LA Clippers (2/1)
The odds featured here and below are to win the Western Conference and not the championship. The Clippers are the favorites to win both at 2/1 in the conference and 7/2 to take home their franchise’s first NBA Championship a year after Toronto captured its.
It would be pretty wild for Kawhi Leonard to carry two different teams to their franchise’s first title in back-to-back seasons. That’s something no other player can claim on his resume.
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Leonard wanted to play with Paul George and the Clippers went out and got him without losing Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, or Landry Shamet. They did have to give up promising rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but now they’re the odds-on favorites.
Leonard made his case to be the best in the world loud and clear a season ago and he didn’t play with anybody nearly as talented as George. The Clippers have at least a little bit of everything.
NBA Western Conference 2019 Odds: LA Lakers (9/4)
The Lakers and Clippers play one of the first regular season games of the season and the Clippers are just one-point favorites. The Lakers are offering just a slightly better return in the futures market too.
So which duo do you like better: Leonard and George or LeBron James and Anthony Davis. To me, the James/Davis duo has the chance to be one of the best ever. There just isn’t a thing either of those guys can’t do.
As it often does, the difference may come down to the other guys. The Clippers have Williams and Harrell to provide some scoring punch and interior defense and rebounding.
The Lakers will counter with Kyle Kuzma, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, JaVale McGee, and the newest acquisition: Dwight Howard.
Howard replaces DeMarcus Cousins, who hurt himself again before even playing a game for the Lakers. The bigs are the question for Los Angeles. Frankly, the Lakers won’t even need both McGee and Howard if Davis stays healthy.
NBA Western Conference 2019 Odds: Houston Rockets (5/1)
The Rockets replaced an ailing Chris Paul with Russell Westbrook. Then they brought in Tyson Chandler. Otherwise, the roster is just about the same as last season’s.
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So this is the physically smallest duo among the NBA’s elite but it’s awfully intriguing. Westbrook and Harden were teammates back in OKC, when both guys weren’t nearly the player they are now.
That said, Harden hasn’t been enough to get Houston over the hump when it’s had some damn good opportunities. I’m not sure that changes this season.
NBA Western Conference 2019 Odds: Golden State Warriors (8/1)
This is the team I like, given the price. The Warriors won’t have Klay Thompson for much of the regular season. That’s ok.
This is a team built on culture and team with the guy who is still a king in the NBA: Steph Curry. The Warriors won’t stretch Curry at the seasons beginning, which will mean taking losses. That’s ok.
The Warriors brought in D’Angelo Russell and then some nice secondary pieces: Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III, and Omari Spellman.
I love Cauley-Stein, who will team up with Draymond Green and Kevon Looney to make up a formidable front line of quality big men who can all defend. He more than makes up for the losses of Jordan Bell and DeMarcus Cousins.
Burks and Robinson bring a different look than Andre Iguodala but the Warriors were smart to get younger there. Neither will put up huge numbers but both will contribute greatly as two-way players.
Spellman may not play much but he also could carve out a role after a rookie season in Atlanta that included a stint in the G-League. He’s got the size an talent to be an NBA regular and the Warriors will get the best out of him.
On paper, to some, the Warriors may lack the talent the Clippers, Lakers, and Rockets have (I don’t buy it). I like them because of the franchise stability, coaching, and culture.
2019 NBA Western Conference Betting Futures Odds (All Teams)
- L.A. Clippers 2/1
- L.A. Lakers 9/4
- Houston 5/1
- Golden State 8/1
- Utah 9/1
- Denver 10/1
- Portland 20/1
- San Antonio 30/1
- Dallas 60/1
- New Orleans 60/1
- Sacramento 120/1
- Memphis 600/1
- Phoenix 600/1
- Oklahoma City 00/1
- Minnesota 600/1
NBA Western Conference 2019 Prediction: Golden State (8/1)
A year beginning with Golden State in a new position as underdog will end with the Warriors back in the NBA Finals.
Russell will allow both Curry and Thompson to play off the ball more, where they are so hard to stop; Cauley-Stein will fit in seamlessly with Green and Looney; and the young wings will step in and do what they need to do to keep the dynasty alive.
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