BSNblog

With the Dallas Mavericks coming off an NBA betting odds
title, the Oklahoma City Thunder appearing ready to challenge for the title, and the Los Angeles Clippers adding Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, and Mo Williams to a solid core led by Blake Griffin, where the San Antonio Spurs would end up this season seemed like a crapshoot. The pay per head bookies were well aware of the Spurs’ veteran status with stars like Tim Duncan and Tony Parker leading the way, and while most people didn’t doubt them as a playoff contender, the idea of San Antonio leading the way in the Western conference wasn’t very popular even among basketball fans in the state of Texas.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ San Antonio Spurs

Sunday, 7:00 PM ET

The first-place Spurs are proving their betting detractors wrong however, holding a slim lead over the Thunder for the top spot in the Western conference and home court advantage throughout the postseason. While San Antonio has been better on the road this year, the team’s success has been based largely on their record at home, which is better than any other Western conference team. Parker has become the team’s biggest star with a team-high 18.6 points per game and 7.7 assists, while Duncan has settled nicely in to a secondary role as the team’s top rebounder. San Antonio also has excellent depth with role players such as Kawhi Leonard, Matt Bonner, Gary Neal, and Thiago Splitter, who have each been very reliable, consistent performers.

NBA Betting Pick: San Antonio Spurs

Orlando Magic @ Denver Nuggets

Sunday, 8:00 PM ET

While the Spurs are comfortable battling for the top spot in the West, things are a lot tighter in Denver where the Nuggets are fighting to lock down a top-eight seed. Less than three games separated the sixth-place Nuggets from the Utah Jazz in 13th earlier on in the week, which makes every game like a playoff game for Denver. The Nuggets have capitalized on an excellent record at home in order to remain in the thick of the playoff race, but a visit from Dwight Howard and the Magic will not be an easy test. Orlando has won its past couple of games as it continues to prepare for the postseason, and the size advantage that Howard and company have over a smaller Denver team should be the difference in this sports betting contest.

NBA Betting Pick: Orlando Magic

New Orleans Hornets @ Los Angeles Clippers

Sunday, 9:30 PM ET

The Clippers have fought through a season of inconsistencies to maintain their position within the top-four in the NBA Western conference, and are on the upswing again with four-straight wins. A loss at last-place New Orleans earlier in the year is the perfect illustration of how unpredictable Los Angeles has been this season, but with head coach Vinny Del Negro getting a vote of confidence from ownership, and the team continuing to build up chemistry, the Clippers should be able to earn a measure of revenge at home against the Hornets.

NBA Betting Pick: Los Angeles Clippers