Many are writing them off as title
contenders, but the Spurs are filled to the brim with experience and could
surprise the doubters in the forthcoming season.
bodog spread basketball odds betting odds handicapping pick At Pinnacle, San Antonio is priced at +1210 to capture the Western Conference crown
Yes, San Antonio has seen their win total
decline in the past four seasons. It's also true that 34-year-old Tim Duncan
has entered the decline of his wonderful career but what does the NBA Betting predict for their coming season?
It seems as if Manu Ginobili will never be
able to enjoy an injury-free season, and floor general Tony Parker is entering the
final year on his contract.
But despite it all, the Spurs will still be
a competitor in the Western Conference as long as proven winners such as head
coach Gregg Popovich, Duncan and Parker stick around.
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San Antonio finished seventh in the West
last season, compiling a 50-32 record before getting swept by the Phoenix Suns
in the second round of the playoffs.
This season, oddsmakers fancy the Spurs to
win the NBA title at +2800 betting odds with Bodog.
At Pinnacle, San Antonio is priced at +1210 to capture the Western Conference crown,
which puts them behind the Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Thunder and Blazers in
the basketball odds.
The duo of Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan
have won four titles together and will be desperately trying to prove that the
Spurs are still relevant.
Duncan, who reportedly entered training
camp 15 pounds lighter, averaged 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds last season.
While these were the lowest outputs of his career, the Big Fundamental has been
as consistent as any player in the league throughout the years.
Floor general Tony Parker was limited to
only 56 games last season but is entering the new season at full health after
sitting out the World Championships this summer.
Considering it's a contract year for the
French PG, Parker could bounce back and propel the Spurs to an improved record
in the regular season and a deeper run in the playoffs.
When healthy, Manu Ginobili is an absolute
force on the court and if he's able to avoid any major injuries, San Antonio
could be a legitimate title contender. Still, that is one big if as Manu
has failed to log a full 82 games in nine years as a NBA player.
Richard Jefferson had a dismal 2009/10
season but the Spurs maintained their faith in the 30-year-old by rewarding him
with a $40 million contract. The Arizona product will need a much better
campaign if the Spurs are to be a viable threat in the West.
While most understandably view San Antonio
as the old dogs of the league, the team have actually stockpiled some exciting
young talent as well.
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George Hill has emerged as a big-time
contributor in the backcourt for the Spurs while the feisty DeJuan Blair had
some monster games while filling in for an injured Duncan, including a 27
point, 23 rebound outburst against the Mavericks.
The Spurs also signed promising Brazilian
Tiago Splitter during the offseason, who will compete with veteran Antonio
McDyess for minutes at center.
With the 20th pick in the NBA
draft, San Antonio opted for shooting guard James Anderson from Oklahoma State.
The Big 12 Player of the Year was regarded as one of the best shooters in the
draft and will provide the Spurs with a reliable perimeter scoring threat off
the bench.
Gregg Popovich is clearly the most
decorated coach in Spurs history and this season he has a talented roster that
can compete with the best that the NBA has to offer. An improvement on the 50
wins from last season looks probable as Coach Pop and Duncan aim for their
fifth championship together.
One thing that's certain is that a team with
as much playoff experience as the Spurs can never be counted out.