You know you're in a tough neighborhood when defending NBA champion San Antonio didn't even win its own division last season. That could happen again with Dallas and Houston pressing San Antonio for Texas bragging rights. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2006/07 season are in parentheses:
DALLAS MAVERICKS (69-19 SU, 42-42-4 ATS, 40-46-2 O/U): Winning the most games in the regular season doesn't count for much if you get bounced from the playoffs in the first round, a fate the Mavericks will try to avoid again this season. For that to happen, F Dirk Nowitzki (24.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG) can't disappear in the post-season. F Josh Howard (18.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG), C Erik Dampier (7.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG) and guards Jason Terry (16.7 PPG, 5.2 APG), Jerry Stackhouse (12.0 PPG) and Devin Harris (10.2 PPG) form the nucleus of a team that still lacks toughness.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 20-22-1
Home Underdog: 1-0
Away Favorite: 18-16-3
Away Underdog: 3-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Mavericks were 11-5 ATS versus teams in their own Southwest Division but just 8-15 ATS facing clubs from the Pacific Division last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Dallas was 10-6 ATS operating on no days rest last year.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (74-28 SU, 57-44-1 ATS, 45-55-2 O/U): When it counts, the Spurs all-star triumvirate of F/C Tim Duncan (20.0 PPG, 10.6 RPG), G Tony Parker (18.6 PPG, 5.5 APG) and G Manu Ginobili (16.5 PPG) seems to do what it takes to get the job done. F Bruce Bowen plays tenacious defense and guards Michael Finley (9.0 PPG) and Brent Barry (8.5 PPG) supply firepower from beyond the arc. They keep saying the Spurs are too old and too slow but they just keep winning, something that may not change this season.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 30-22
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 22-19-1
Away Underdog: 3-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Spurs were 14-5-1 ATS during the playoffs last spring.
Sports Betting Angle: Last season San Antonio was 21-7 ATS versus teams from the Northwest Division.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (55-34 SU, 40-46-3 ATS, 46-42-1 O/U): Despite winning 52 games last season, a first round playoff exit has brought change to Houston. New Head Coach Rick Adelman's up-tempo offense will be around holdovers C Yao Ming (25.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG) and F/G Tracy McGrady (24.6 PPG, 6.5 APG, 5.3 RPG) but the Rockets finally have a legitimate power forward in two-time Spanish League MVP Luis Scola. Steady Shane Battier (10.1 PPG) will help up front. Mike James (10.1 PPG), Bonzi Wells (7.8 PPG), Steve Francis (11.3 PPG) and rookie Aaron Brooks will vie for backcourt playing time. The Rockets have firepower.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 16-22-2
Home Underdog: 1-3
Away Favorite: 12-5-1
Away Underdog: 10-13
Sportsbook Buster: The Rockets were 20-10 ATS versus teams from the Eastern Conference but 20-36-3 ATS taking on teams from their own Western Conference, last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Houston was 8-2 ATS versus teams from the Southwest Division in 2006/07.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (39-43 SU, 48-32-2 ATS, 44-36-2 O/U): A return to New Orleans (site of this year's all-star game) from Oklahoma City and some roster tinkering could have the Hornets threatening for a playoff spot this season. PG Chris Paul (17.3 PPG, 8.9 APG) should be even more effective with recently acquired G Morris Peterson 8.9 PPG) around to stretch defenses, opening the middle for C Tyson Chandler 9.5 PPG, 12.4 RPG), and forwards David West (18.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG) and Peja Stojakovic (17.8 PPG). New Orleans should be much improved.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 14-8
Home Underdog: 11-8
Away Favorite: 2-3
Away Underdog: 20-13-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Hornets stung the Eastern Conference with a 21-9 pointspread record last season.
Sports Betting Angle: New Orleans was excellent (15-6-2 ATS) on no days rest last season.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (22-60 SU, 38-42-2 ATS, 45-35-2 O/U): When you go 22-60 (worst record in the NBA) you need to shake things up. The Grizzlies did that, releasing five players, hiring a new coach and changing the look (if not results) in Memphis. Frustrated F Pao Gasol (20.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG) will get inside help from new teammate F/C Darko Milicic (8.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.75 BPG). Improving Hakim Warrick (12.7 PPG) will help up front but the Grizzlies may have to rely on a rookie at the point in top draft choice Mike Conley. Juan Carlos Navarro, a star in Europe, and Mike Miller (18.5 PPG) should be more than adequate at shooting guard.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 5-8
Home Underdog: 14-12
Away Favorite: 1-0
Away Underdog: 18-20-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Grizzlies were just 11-17-2 ATS versus the Eastern Conference, last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Memphis was 4-7 ATS on no days rest when hitting the road after a home game.
This is the fourth of six NBA betting previews.
Next: The Western Conference's Northwest Division.
This article was written by Luken Karel for
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