As a whole, Pacific Division teams were 27 games under .500 against the spread last season, a statistic that NBA betting practitioners will be tracking this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2008/09 season in parentheses:
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (81-24 SU, 55-49-1 ATS, 48-56-1 O/U): Kobe Bryant wants another championship before Coach Phil Jackson calls it quits and the Lakers have the goods to deliver. Bryant (26.8 PPG) is an unstoppable offensive force and plays great defense. Backcourt mate Derek Fisher (9.9 PPG) knows his role and there’s muscle in the paint with Pao Gasol (18.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG), Andrew Bynum (14.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and Lamar Odom (11.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG). Put Ron Artest (17.1 PPG) at small forward to replace departed Trevor Ariza and LA is the favorite to win it all again. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 5/2; Western Conference 2/3; Pacific Division 1/16.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 26-27
Home Underdog:0-0
Away Favorite: 17-19-1
Away Underdog: 12-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Lakers were 12-2 as away underdogs last season.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 16-7 in LA playoff games last year.
PHOENIX SUNS (46-36 SU, 36-45-1 ATS, 48-39-1 O/U): The Suns missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002 in June and are likely to be home for the post-season again this year. Amare Stoudemire (21.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG) is a stud but penny-pinching Phoenix management keeps trying to trade him. PG Steve Nash (15.7 PPG, 9.7 APG) still is productive but in decline and SG Jason Richardson (16.8 PPG) while a good shooter, doesn’t play defense. The Suns no longer are a legitimate title contender. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 50/1; Western Conference 33/1; Pacific Division 10/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 23-15-1
Home Underdog:4-1
Away Favorite: 11-8
Away Underdog:9-15
Sportsbook Buster: The Suns were 34-23-1 as favorites last season.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” is 96-73-1 in Phoenix games over the past two years.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (19-63 SU, 32-50 ATS, 46-35-1 O/U): The Clippers should win considerably more than 19 games this season, especially if rookie Blake Griffin is as good as advertised and second year SG Eric Gordon (16.1 PPG) and third year SF Al Thornton (16.8 PPG) continue to improve. Throw in veteran PG Baron Davis (14.9 PPG, 7.7 APG) and paint players Marcus Camby (10.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG) and Chris Kamen (12.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and LA has a chance to surprise the skeptics. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 100/1; Western Conference 50/1; Pacific Division 16/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:2-7
Home Underdog:14-18
Away Favorite:3-1
Away Underdog: 13-23
Sportsbook Buster: The Clippers are 23-37 as home underdogs the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Los Angeles was 13-23 as a road underdog last year.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (29-53 SU, 40-40-2 ATS, 44-37-1 O/U): Questions regarding Coach Don Nelson’s motivation and poor chemistry dogged the Warriors last season and there’s little indication anything will be different this year. SG Stephen Jackson (20.7 PPG), PG Monta Ellis (19.0 PPG) and SF Corey Maggette (18.6 PPG) make it difficult to play with just one ball. Andris Biedrins (11.9 PPG, 11.2 RPG) is a presence up front but GoldenState has to prove it can play as a team. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 125/1; Western Conference 66/1; Pacific Division 33/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 9-10
Home Underdog:15-6-1
Away Favorite: 0-5
Away Underdog: 14-19-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Warriors are 19-8-1 as home underdogs over the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: GoldenState was 0-5 as a road favorite last year.
SACRAMENTO KINGS (17-65 SU, 38-44 ATS, 41-41 O/U): The Kings were the worst team in the NBA last season. Top draft pick Tyreke Evans will inherit the point while third-year pro Spencer Hawes 11.4 PPG) and second-year man Jason Thompson (11.1 PPG) work up front. SG Kevin Martin (24.6 PPG) is a gunner. Modest improvement would be a welcome sign for this fragile franchise. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 350/1; Western Conference 200/1; Pacific Division 100/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 6-8
Home Underdog: 10-16
Away Favorite:0-0
Away Underdog: 22-19
Sportsbook Buster: The Kings were 16-25 ATS at home last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Last year, Sacramento was 1-9 ATS versus teams from the Atlantic Division.
