Will the Golden State Warriors be a lock to win the Western Conference every year for the next five years? You’ve probably heard the story by now that they’re a -10000 just to make the playoffs. This team is the definition of stacked and seemingly have no weaknesses, aside from the fact that their center position is a bit lacking and the Warriors also don’t possess a true shot-blocker. However, this team is elite in just about every other category, which makes us wonder – how could any team win the West? DSI oddsmakers are currently favoring the Warriors to win the West at -285 – no surprise there. However, at times, luck does play a role in the outcomes of playoff series – here are four sleeper bets to win the Western Conference.
Houston Rockets
Odds To Win The West: +500
The Houston Rockets added a superstar point guard, or better known as Point God, in Chris Paul during the offseason. Paul and James Harden are arguably the best backcourt in the NBA and the Rockets should have no problems scoring the basketball, with Paul and Harden being elite playmakers and scorers as well. While the Rockets will give the Warriors a decent challenge in a seven-game series, if any of the Warriors core four players – Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green – gets injured, the narrative could change completely. The Rockets are an extremely dangerous team, able to beat out teams by simply outscoring them. If not the Warriors to win the West, I’d go with the Rockets at +500.
San Antonio Spurs
Odds To Win The West: +1000
Every year since Gregg Popovich took over as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, it seems that the Spurs always have a chance to win the Western Conference. Kawhi Leonard is the best two-way player in the NBA and his game continues to evolve and get better. He’s definitely capable of carrying a team in the playoffs, if need be, and the Spurs will most likely need him to do some heavy lifting in the playoffs. The Spurs will be outmatched by the Warriors but the question of injuries is always lurking in the background. While I’ll give a slight edge to the Rockets over the Spurs as well, Popovich is a master tactician and has dominated Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni in previous playoff matchups. You can never truly count out the Spurs, and at +1000, this seems like a decent bet.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Odds To Win The West: +1200
Last season’s Most Valuable Player, Russell Westbrook, is certainly capable of carrying a team as a one-man wrecking ball if he must, as evident from last year – his first full year without Durant. Westbrook is a straight-up stud and triple-double machine. The Oklahoma City Thunder also got a massive upgrade in Paul George, a star in his own right. The Thunder have a high potential, but the question is will they reach it? If Westbrook and George start snapping in the playoffs, they may be able to wreak havoc on many teams. Remember, the Thunder – albeit with Durant and the Warriors without Durant – were up 3-1 in a series against Golden State two years ago. Maybe they can compete again if everything goes right. The Thunder are a longshot, but at +1200, maybe I’ll throw a few dollars on them.
Los Angeles Clippers
Odds To Win The West: +7500
I’m not too convinced myself with this pick, but it is the four sleeper bets after all. Although the Los Angeles Clippers lost Paul during the offseason, their team is still good, and the Clippers have gotten much deeper overall as well. The Clippers have at least two capable players at every position for the upcoming season, a luxury that wasn’t afforded to them last year. It’s pretty likely that everyone has written them off after the departure of Paul, and this should fuel the Clippers to prove their critics and doubters wrong. The team consists of savvy veterans who could really make a difference once the playoffs roll around. At +7500, the Clippers are definitely a sleeper pick, but there may be value in this bet nonetheless.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
