2022-23 NBA Previews – Pacific Division Odds
Looking for 2023 NBA Pacific Division Predictions? We’ve got your back. The closest contested division of the six is the Pacific which finds the top three teams separated by a mere 15 points. It’s a fair assessment given all three clubs could win their division and/or the Conference.
2023 NBA Handicapping
Pacific Division Season Preview
Division Favorite: Phoenix Suns +191
Phoenix Suns
Head Coach: Monty Williams
2021-22 Record: 64-18
Odds To Win Division: +191
Odds To Win Conference: +400
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +960
Maybe I’m on an island but I have a hard time believing the Suns will be the best in their division let alone one of the top four seeds in the Western Conference club this season.
We’ve read all the reports about how the Suns were mired by COVID in their Game 7 loss to the Mavericks but what I can’t shake is how the Pelicans and Mavericks both demonstrated the key to beating the Suns.
Their mutual strategy was to wear out the 37-year-old point guard Chris Paul by picking him up full court and keeping him working. Although Devin Booker can pick up the slack of ball handling the Suns didn’t fare as well with him in that role.
The Suns will hit every market having to discuss owner Robert Sarver selling the team after being exposed for his misogynistic and racist behavior.
Deandre Ayton re-signed but only after forcing their hand to match the Pacers’ offer. Also troublesome, is the news he didn’t speak with coach Monty Williams all offseason despite how they left things the last game of the playoffs.
Yet, the biggest concern Phoenix faces is dealing with the loss of Jae Crowder. No, he’s not a stats breaker although his 3-point shooting certainly helped space the floor. Rather, Crowder was the Suns’ grittiest player — who did the dirty work.
The combination of Mikal Bridges playing the quicker more skilled opponents and Crowder taking on the bigger, stronger guys is what made the Suns’ defense shine.
Without him, my guess is the Suns sink in the rankings possibly even below homecourt seeds and while they’ll still be a solid regular-season club I won’t be shocked if they’re a first-round exit.
Golden State Warriors
Head Coach: Steve Kerr
2021-22 Record: 53-29
Odds To Win Division: +200
Odds To Win Conference: +310
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +610
The reigning champions return stronger than they were last season. Unlike young teams who perform well and rest on their laurels, this Warriors club is comprised of their star core plus youngsters who want to have a bigger role at the top.
That means Wiseman, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga are all invested in becoming an integral part of the process.
Jordan Poole is set to take another step and while the fracas with Draymond Green caused problems, I’m not convinced it was as big of a deal as it’s being made out to be.
First, we learn Poole got up and shot free throws and completed his workout, and later met with Green showing a willingness to progress from the situation.
Second, regardless of how Green may be feeling about being at the bottom of the Warriors extension list (Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Green), the fact remains he needs to perform well this season in order to collect a sizeable contract (regardless of where it is).
My guess is ring night will wipe away any negativity and remind this club of what got them the championship and simultaneously redirect their efforts to repeat.
LA Clippers
Head Coach: Tyronn Lue
2021-22 Record: 42-40
Odds To Win Division: +206
Odds To Win Conference: +330
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +670
The deepest team in the division is the Clippers who can run out two starting lineups. Health will be key as they feature numerous vets although there are many who hope John Wall comes out and lights up the court after the tribulations he’s endured the past few years.
Kawhi Leonard is back and no doubt will sit out one game of every back-to-back set.
That has some suggesting this team won’t be able to accumulate enough wins to be the top regular season squad. I’m inclined to think the opposite since this team is so diverse Ty Lue can literally play different lineups on alternating nights to keep everyone fresh and get everyone enough touches to be happy.
Los Angeles Lakers
Head Coach: Darvin Ham
2021-22 Record: 33-49
Odds To Win Division: +890
Odds To Win Conference: +810
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +1750
Should we just assume Lakers fans love to bet? How else could a team with so many clear and obvious logistical problems consistently rank so high in the Vegas odds?
This squad now has three veteran point guards with the addition of Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder to pair with Russell Westbrook and with each having discernible weaknesses.
Yet the bigger issue is the person who NEEDS the ball in his hand to be the most successful is LeBron James. Plus his most successful teams have featured lock down defense and 3-point shooting – – neither of which this club seems to have.
Many point to Anthony Davis as the key to how this team performs and while he’s definitely talented his ability to stay healthy is hard to bank on (he already sat out a preseason game with back spasms).
Davis played 75 games twice, dating back five and six seasons ago but since then has played 56, 62, 36, and 40 games.
James will turn 38 in December and while he’s proving age is a mindset he can’t be relied on to be the main cog if they want him healthy and rested for the postseason.
All this to say – I don’t live in LA and the last place I’d be putting my hard-earned money is bets on the Lakers winning.
Sacramento Kings
Head Coach: Mike Brown
2021-22 Record: 30-52
Odds To Win Division: +20000
Odds To Win Conference: +19000
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +48000
Mike Brown will bring exuberance and intelligence to the court for the Kings and perhaps they’ll finally develop an identity. I love their draft pick Keegan Murray and feels like he’s the perfect fit with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
Brown has some stellar defenders in Davion Mitchell and Richaun Holmes, shooting depth with Harrison Barnes and new additions Malik Monk plus Kevin Huerter.
While the Kings have suffered 16 years of missing the postseason at least on paper this club sure looks like it has far more depth and versatility than the Lakers!
I wouldn’t put a ton of money on them blowing up the league but I also like the over for their win/loss projections and feel strongly they’ll be at worst a play-in team and possibly as high as sixth depending on how quickly they accept Brown’s defensive sets.
NBA Pacific Division Prediction
Although unlikely, all five Pacific clubs could make the postseason and of those, I feel the Lakers are the least likely.
As for the division I like the Clippers’ depth the most and while the Warriors also have the horses to win the division I think Steve Kerr will exercise patience and make sure Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green all get ample rest.
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