NBA Southwest Division: Spurs Running Away
The San Antonio Spurs are still running off with the NBA’s Southwest Division and hold a two game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the West. They have played like a well-oiled machine on their recent nine-game road trip where they went 7-2. Oddly though, on their first game back home, they lost to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
The loss was the first home loss in 19 games for the Spurs. The first home game though after a long road trip can often be tricky. Even though it is a home game it is still the tenth straight game in a different city. The Spurs will likely shake it off and get rolling again when they face the Sacramento Kings on Friday. If you are looking for a good game to bet on, the Spurs over the Kings would be one.
The Spurs will have four more home games after the Kings game on Friday before they go back on the road. The last will be against the Thunder. Should the Spurs sweep the rest of the home-stand, they will be in great shape for clinching the #1 seed for the entire playoffs.
The Memphis Grizzlies are in second place in the Southwest and currently hold the fourth spot in the conference. They have separated themselves a bit form the fifth place Denver Nuggets after a good week last week. Memphis has extended their win streak to eight in a row with wins over the Brooklyn Nets and the Dallas Mavericks. The Grizzlies have a big game coming up with the defending champion Miami Heat on Friday. The Heat has won 12 in a row. Something will have to give.
The Houston Rockets are currently in third place. They are desperately trying to hold on to the eighth spot. The Rockets have lost three in a row and looking back at the Los Angeles Lakers nipping at their heels. Houston is now 2.5 games ahead of the Lakers who have won 11 of 16. The Rockets have three games they should win coming up with the Orlando Magic and a home and home with the Dallas Mavericks. With the Lakers coming on fast, they had better win those three. The Magic already has a win this week, so that one should be a gimme. Bet the Rockets on Friday along with the Spurs for a good two-team parlay.
