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Odds to Win the 2008 NBA Western Conference

We have already brought you the odds to win the east, coaching you on frontrunners and sleepers. Now, it’s time to take a look at who has the best odds to win the Western Conference.

The San Antonio Spurs are 8-8 their last 16 games—not exactly championship like numbers in the win/loss column, but Sportsbook.com still lists the defending NBA champions as the favorite to win the west at 9-4 odds. The perception is that this team is just coasting, trying to stay healthy and energized over the long haul. We usually see what this team is really made of during its yearly rodeo road trip. If the Spurs dominate this difficult stretch, they just may have what it takes to win another title this season. You can bet the Spurs to win the west at 9-4 odds at Sportsbook.com.

The Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Hornets both have better records than the Spurs in the NBA Southwest Division. The Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers both have better records at this point too. Which of these teams have a shot at a Western Conference title you ask? Well, the Dallas Mavericks definitely do.

The Mavericks won the west just two seasons ago, and they will be looking to bounce back strong after a disappointing first round exit in last year’s playoffs. With an MVP in Dirk Nowitzky, an All-Star in Josh Howard, and a constantly improving point guard in Devin Harris, the Mavs appear on the right track. You can bet the Mavs at slightly better 5-2 odds at Sportsbook.com.

The Phoenix Suns are also listed at 5-2 odds to win the west. With the best point guard in the game, and a deep bench, the Suns are definitely a team that can contend. They have been right on the brink the past couple seasons and may have even fell victim to some bad officiating in the playoffs last year.

Enough with the favorites, let’s look for some value. The Utah Jazz have struggled at times in the early going, but they are sitting at 24-18 and just 1.5 games back in the Northwest Division. This is a team which advanced to the Western Conference Finals last season. If they are able to make it to the same point this season, expect them to play with much more confidence as it won’t be their first rodeo anymore. Also, key player, Andrei Kirilenko is playing much better this season. I don’t know if any of you remember his difficulties in last year’s playoffs. The Jazz have won 8 of their last 10 games and appear to be headed into the All-Star break on a high note. You bet the Utah Jazz showing great value at 15-1 odds to win the west.

You might be wondering what our take is on teams such as the LA Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets which have gotten off to good starts. The playoffs has everything to do with depth, experience, and defense. We don’t feel these teams have enough of those three things. When it all comes down to it, LA is still a one-man team with minimal postseason experience. The Hornets are up and comers and still a couple years away in our opinion.

Be sure to check out our NBA Championship odds article to see how we feel the west stacks up against the east in this year’s Finals.

January 25th, 2008