Red-Hot Clippers Overwhelmingly Favored to Win Pacific Division
NBA Pacific Division Odds: Suns Fall From +135 to +1800
With all five NBA teams above .500 at the All-Star break, the Pacific is shaping up to be the NBA’s most competitive division from top to bottom this season. They’re all playoff contenders to varying degrees, but nobody looks stronger at the moment than the Los Angeles Clippers, who find themselves in first place at 33-15.
Fueled by their Big Three of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, the Clippers have taken over as -2500 favorites to win the Pacific after opening the season at +600. Granted, that was before the trade for Harden.
Will someone challenge them? Phoenix? Sacramento? Anyone?
Read on as we break down the updated NBA Pacific Division odds at the unofficial halfway point of the 2023-24 NBA season.
THE FAVORITE
Los Angeles Clippers (-2500)
Contrary to some initial doubts, the James Harden trade has turned into a big win for Los Angeles. The Clippers are 33-15 since acquiring the 10-time All-Star in a blockbuster trade from Philadelphia, and oddsmakers now list them as overwhelming -2500 favorites to win the Pacific Division. They’re also a +250 favorite to win the West.
The trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Harden is as good as any in the NBA, and they have solid veteran complementary pieces in Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook. It’s no wonder they rank second in the league in offensive efficiency, averaging 117.9 points per 100 possessions.
At 36-17, Los Angeles has a four-game lead on Phoenix in the Pacific and is just two games back of Minnesota for the conference’s top overall seed. If they play to their potential down the stretch, the Clippers — who own the NBA’s fifth-best point differential at plus-5.5 — could easily grab control of the West.
TOP CONTENDERS
Phoenix Suns (+1800)
Phoenix has looked a bit discombobulated at times, with NBA injuries stalling the progression of its Big Three. Even at 33-22, it doesn’t feel like the Suns — a +135 preseason division favorite — have hit their stride. Case in point: Phoenix is an underwhelming 23-30-2 ATS.
Bradley Beal’s inability to stay on the floor has ratcheted up the pressure on Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to produce. When they’re on, Phoenix is capable of beating practically anyone. It’s why they’re listed +1300 to win the NBA Finals, one of five teams with 13/1 odds or better.
For what it’s worth, Booker and Durant have combined to average 55.7 points, accounting for 47.3% of Phoenix’s scoring.
NEXT IN LINE
Sacramento Kings (+4000)
The Kings have sputtered a bit lately, dropping four of their last six games before the All-Star break. That includes a 133-120 loss to the dismal Pistons.
That alone should disqualify Sacramento from contention.
OK, but in all seriousness, the Kings (31-23) need to pick up the pace. They’ve fallen to eighth in the West, leaving them at risk of competing in the postseason play-in tournament. They’re now staring at +4000 NBA Pacific Division odds.
Sacramento’s talent is obvious. In De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the league leader with 18 triple-doubles, it boasts an elite one-two punch. As a team, the Kings rank eighth in scoring (118.4 PPG) and 11th in field goal percentage (48.2%). But it certainly doesn’t help that they’re also bottom-10 defensively.
Los Angeles Lakers (+15000)
Is it time to write off the Lakers? Not quite, but aside from adding free agent Spencer Dinwiddie, they didn’t make any significant moves at the trade deadline to bolster their roster.
As good as he still is at 39, LeBron James can only do so much to carry the Lakers. The same is true of Anthony Davis, who turns 31 in March.
Los Angeles is 30-26, but at this point — 7.5 games behind the rival Clippers — it’s unrealistic to expect the Lakers to challenge for the division. Hence, their +15000 NBA Pacific Division odds. Both James and Davis would need to shoulder more responsibility down the stretch, including playing the full NBA schedule. That’s just not feasible.
Golden State Warriors (+30000)
It’s a bit jarring to see Golden State as an extreme longshot. Then again, that’s the reality these days. It’s no longer a legitimate contender, as evidenced by its +4000 odds to win an NBA championship.
The Warriors (27-26) have won six of its last seven games to climb back above .500 for the first time since Dec. 23. Still, they remain in last place, nine games behind the Clippers.
The good news for Golden State is that Stephen Curry hasn’t slowed down. The NBA’s best all-time 3-point shooter continues to produce at an elite level, averaging 28.0 points on 42.1% shooting from deep. He’s also back to averaging 5.0 3-pointers per game, 1.1 more than the closest player (Luka Doncic).
For NBA picks, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine
