With only five wins separating top from bottom, the Pacific Division could come down to the wire.
Featuring some of the more exciting NBA teams, including the Clippers, Lakers, Suns, and Warriors, NBA betting markets have a close market framed.
Kings
The Sacramento Kings have a slim lead in the Pacific Division at 32-25. They are only 5-6 in the division and that’s why they’re not the favorites to win it.
NBA odds have the Kings at +500 to win the division, and that’s a fair price. They have done well to this point, but given the strength of the Pacific, staying at the top could prove difficult.
De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray are quality players, but there is always a feeling that the Kings will regress after the All-Star break.
Signing a Euroleague star would help their chances, according to Fox.
“I’ve actually looked at a film of [Sasha Vezenkov],” Fox said. “And it’s funny because I tell Keegan [Murray] this a lot, and I’m like, ‘Keegan, if we want to win the championship, at some point, you know, either you’re gonna be one of those guys, or we’re going to find on of those guys,’ because, at the end of the day, I think a lot of, like it’s an extremely, like, wing based league, where most of the time, you know, the better teams have, you know, one of the better wings in the league.”
Given what they have achieved so far, they get the highest rating.
- Grade: B
1st-time All-Star De’Aaron Fox 🌟
2023 #NBAAllStar Game LIVE on TNT pic.twitter.com/4uBXRdDp4a
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 20, 2023
Clippers
Given the high expectations of the Clippers, we’re disappointed with their 33-28 record.
They went 6-4 over their last 10 before the break, and although they still have a good chance to win the NBA title, we think bettors have lost confidence.
They’re not even favored to win the Pacific Division at +250, so that’s a telling price with the sportsbook.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George aren’t the most consistent players in staying injury-free. So there’s always a concern that they won’t show up in the playoffs.
At the halfway stage, we have been less than impressed with the Clippers.
- Grade: B-
Suns
The Phoenix Suns are 32-28 following a 7-3 spurt entering the All-Star break.
They haven’t been at their best, but recent success and the signing of Kevin Durant have seen their NBA Pacific Division odds get slashed by bookmakers.
They firmed into -250 despite being third in the division in what has been an inconsistent start to the season. Momentum was only picked up late, so if we have to rate their performance so far, it’s just above average.
In terms of their potential, it’s much higher. However, the Suns have yet to shine, and adding Durant to the roster doesn’t mean instant success (just ask the Nets).
- Grade: B-
“I’m being asked to do a mulitiute of things so just gotta be prepared for it, you know, try to build my game up to be versatile…whatever Coach [Monty Williams] needs me to do.”
🗣️ KD speaks during his media availability at @NBAAllStar. pic.twitter.com/ysiy3vjRxO
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 18, 2023
Warriors
The defending champions aren’t playing like it, and the injury to Steph Curry only adds to their hurt.
They hit the All-Star break at 29-29 and not many bettors expected them to struggle, especially on the road, where they are 7-22.
They are certainly not road Warriors, so it has been a flat performance so far and there doesn’t seem to be the same cohesion between Curry, Thompson, and Green.
NBA picks often predict the Warriors winning because of their past performances, but their 2022-23 form has been anything but desirable.
We’re giving them a low rating because we expected much better, and they have failed to deliver on every aspect.
- Grade: C-
Lakers
Bringing up the rear in the Pacific Division is the Los Angeles Lakers, who have a disappointing 27-32 record.
Look past all the hype surrounding LeBron James and his recent points-scoring record and you will find a poor team without much chance of winning.
James has little help, and even with Anthony Davis on the roster, he’s rarely healthy and not contributing enough.
They are a woeful 2-9 in the Pacific Division, and we don’t see that number improving too much.
At +6500 just to win the division, bettors and bookmakers have lost faith in the Lakers, and they haven’t shown anything to suggest changing your opinion.
- Grade: D
