NBA Southwest Division Odds Update: A Two-Team Race
Pelicans vs Mavericks Battling It Out
It’s a two-team race between the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks for the Southwest Division title.
NBA Southwest Division odds have the Pelicans at -200 with a one-game lead, but there could be better value with Luca Doncic and the Mavericks.
The Rockets are the only other team featured with NBA futures, as the Grizzlies and Spurs are too far back.
New Orleans Pelicans (-200)
Despite leading the NBA standings, the Pelicans are a touch too short for our liking.
They have done well to post a 33-22 record after winning their last three, but we don’t think they’re a better NBA team than the Mavericks.
Zion Williamson is doing his thing, but they are only 8-6 against Southwest Division opponents, and that could come into play over the next few months.
The Pelicans don’t have much experience of playing important basketball. They have always disappointed in the final few months and in the NBA playoffs, so bettors are taking a risk with the NBA Southwest Division odds.
We would have entertained their odds at around +110, but the Mavericks are coming for the title, and we expect the Pelicans to drop off the pace.
Dallas Mavericks (+150)
Recent NBA scores have gone the way of the Mavericks, who won six games on the bounce before the All-Star break.
That form is tough to overlook, and with Doncic and Kyrie Irving playing well, the sky is the limit with this team.
According to NBA legend Tim Hardaway, Irving has the best handle.
“Kyrie Irving, no question,” Hardaway said. “Kyrie Irving. My son plays for the Dallas Mavericks, and I get to watch all their games…I just think right now, Kyrie Irving. If you’re on an island with him, by yourself, it’s going to be dangerous for you. You gonna be calling for help, for sure.”
It’s essentially now or never for the Mavericks to make a play for the NBA Championship. There are talks of Irving looking for a new home, so it could be championship or bust.
Defense is our biggest worry, and it’s something that needs addressing. They are lazy on defense, Doncic included, and that’s evident with their 117.2 points per game given up.
They have the best offense in the division with 118.7 PPG, but if they tighten up their defense, we have no doubt they’ll lead the division and award bettors with handsome odds.
Doncic is arguably the best player in the NBA right now, and if he stays at that level, the Pelicans could be easily reeled in.
Houston Rockets (+15000)
It won’t be long until the Rockets no longer feature with NBA Southwest Division odds, but they’re still there.
They are a massive +15000 chance to top the division, despite being 24-30. However, they could go on a winning run and bridge the gap.
To their credit, they are 7-4 in the division, which is a better record than the Timberwolves.
Being 8.5 NBA games back isn’t an ideal situation for a young team, but they’re good enough to keep things interesting, which could see the Timberwolves and Mavericks’ odds drift a touch.
If they get back to .500, the sportsbook could firm their division odds, which would see the Mavericks and Wolves drift.
That’s the best case scenario for the Rockets, who continue to go through the motions until they land a quality NBA superstar.
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