2012-2013 NBA Odds and Picks: Pacific Division Predictions – Los Angeles Lakers the Favorite: Last year, the Pacific Division was arguably the weakest in the NBA. Just two teams made the playoffs, and the division was also home to two of the three worst teams in the Western Conference. Not to mention the fact that it took just 41 wins for the Lakers to win the division crown, which was the fewest of any division winner in the conference by six games. However, a busy offseason for several of the teams could be changing that in a big way, and the Pacific Division is looking much more formidable in 2012-13. With that in mind, here is a look at how the division stacks up for the upcoming NBA season.
2012-2013 NBA Vegas Odds and Picks: Pacific Division Predictions
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Well, Kobe Bryant was able to carry the Lakers to a division title last year despite his team not having a point guard and getting up and down play from Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. This year, Bryant will be joined by two-time MVP Steve Nash, the best defensive presence in the game in Dwight Howard, and a solid bench scorer in Antawn Jamison. Not to mention that Gasol somehow managed to stay in a Lakers’ uniform despite the team trading for a pair of All-Stars. While it will take some time for all the new parts to develop chemistry, the Lakers have too much talent not to repeat as Pacific Division champs.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
After making the playoffs last year, the Clippers should be back for more in 2012-13. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have at least one more year to make highlights together, while the return of Chauncey Billups will provide the veteran presence this team was missing last season. In addition, the Clippers added size and athleticism in the offseason in the form of Lamar Odom and Matt Barnes, as well as perimeter firepower and bench scoring by signing Jamal Crawford. Depth was this team’s biggest issue last season, but the front office more than addressed the problem in the offseason.
3. Golden State Warriors
Assuming point guard Stephen Curry and center Andrew Bogut stay healthy, the Warriors could challenge for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference. Golden State now has a balanced roster with Curry and Klay Thompson in the backcourt and Bogut and David Lee in the frontcourt. Throw in rookie Harrison Barnes at small forward and a bench that features Brandon Rush and Carl Landry, and the Warriors suddenly have depth, perimeter firepower and size. If the injury bug stays away, watch out for Golden State.
4. Phoenix Suns
For the past few seasons, Steve Nash has been a bandage making an otherwise unimpressive roster competitive. Now, Nash is in Los Angeles, and the Suns are going to be in trouble. Goran Dragic will be charged with replacing Nash, and while he had a solid season in Houston last year, he won’t exactly have a lot of firepower around him. Marcin Gortat and Luis Scola do make up a solid frontcourt, but there aren’t a lot of athletes on the roster that can create their own shots. If Michael Beasley can become a shot maker instead of a just a shot taker, the Suns outlook improves. However, Phoenix isn’t a playoff team either way.
5. Sacramento Kings
If DeMarcus Cousins plays to his potential and Tyreke Evans stays healthy, the Kings have two cornerstones to build around on the offensive end. Meanwhile, rookie Thomas Robinson should be an immediate contributor. However, the Kings’ roster as a whole lacks depth and doesn’t have much in the way of perimeter scoring. More importantly, Sacramento was the worst defensive team in the NBA last season, and there haven’t been any roster addition that are likely to change that in 2012-13.
2012-13 Odds to Win NBA Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers -340
Los Angeles Clippers +310
Golden State Warriors +5000
Phoenix Suns +8000
Sacramento Kings +8000
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