It would be wagering justice if New Orleans, the team with the best pointspread record in the Western Conference last season, won it all this time, which is a distinct possibility. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2006/07 season are in parentheses:
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (63-31 SU, 56-37-1 ATS, 43-48-1 O/U): Chris Paul (21.1 PPG, 11.6 APG), the game’s best pointguard, leads a squad that came of age last season with a division title and looks for more this season. The forward duo of David West (20.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG) and Peja Stojakovic (44.1 percent on 3-pointers) and center Tyson Chandler (11.8 PPG, 11.7 RPG) get some help from newly acquired James Posey. If Paul can remain healthy, the Hornets will be tough to beat.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 27-16
Home Underdog: 3-1
Away Favorite: 14-8-1
Away Underdog: 11-12
Sportsbook Buster: The Hornets were 31-17 ATS at home last season.
Sports Betting Angle: New Orleans was 14-4 ATS versus teams from the Pacific Division last year.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (57-31 SU, 49-36-3 ATS, 38-50 O/U): The addition of Ron Artest (20.5 PPG) could help transform the Rockets into serious champion contenders. Artest brings defense and attitude to a team that already has all-stars Yao Ming (22.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG) and Tracy McGrady (21.6 PPG). Rafer Alston, Luis Scola, who average 10.3 PPG and 6.4 RPG as a rookie last season, and Shane Battier also are solid contributors.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 23-16-1
Home Underdog: 2-1
Away Favorite: 10-11-1
Away Underdog: 13-7-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Rockets were 15-8-1 as an underdog last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Houston was 19-11 ATS versus teams from the Eastern Conference last year.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (65-34 SU, 46-51-2 ATS, 37-60-2 O/U): The core of the 2006/07 NBA Championship team, Tim Duncan (19.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG), Manu Ginobili (19.5 PPG) and Tony Parker (18.8 PPG, 6.0 APG), return but one has to wonder if the aging Spurs have the stamina to summon up the supreme effort it will take to win it all again. Bruce Bowen, Roger Mason and Kurt Thomas are the role players on a team that will go only as far as the Big Three take it.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 26-19-2
Home Underdog: 2-0
Away Favorite: 10-15
Away Underdog: 7-16
Sportsbook Buster: The Spurs were 18-32 ATS on the road last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Last year San Antonio had a greater percentage of its games go “under” than any team in the NBA.
DALLAS MAVERICKS (52-35 SU, 38-46-3 ATS, 40-44-3 O/U): The Mavericks are good but so is everyone else in this division, save the Grizzlies. Certainly, all-stars Dirk Nowitzki (23.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG), Josh Howard (19.9 PPG) and future hall of famer Jason Kidd (10.1 APG) at the point are quality players. Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse are still more than adequate but Dallas is a donut team, that is, one with a hole in the middle. With weakness at center, the Mavericks could win 50 games and, given the quality in the Western Conference, not make the playoffs.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 19-21-3
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 11-16
Away Underdog: 8-9
Sportsbook Buster: The Mavericks were
Sports Betting Angle: Dallas was
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (22-60 SU, 36-46 ATS, 38-42-2 O/U): Pity the poor Grizzlies, who will face a tough division opponent every outing. Rookie O.J. Mayo and second year player Mike Conley could develop into a superb backcourt duo but, outside of forward Rudy Gay (20.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG), there’s just not enough up from for Memphis to mix it up with the bullies in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies enter the season with eight players on their roster with less than three years experience so this resurrection will take a while.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 9-6
Home Underdog: 7-17
Away Favorite: 1-0
Away Underdog: 18-21
Sportsbook Buster: The Grizzlies were 25-38 as underdogs last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Memphis was 5-17 ATS in games following a SU win.
