Any sports betting fan that took a look at the NBA power rankings at the start of the season will notice several important differences between the past and present, and in particular in the Western Conference standings. While the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are nowhere to be found in the West playoff picture, while the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies are competing for a top-four seed and home advantage for the postseason. There is still a lot that can change before now and the end of the year, but right now it appears that while both the Lakers and Mavericks are pretenders this season, both the Clippers and Grizzlies are legitimate contenders.
Nobody would have predicted that the Clippers would be the top team in Los Angeles this season, not after the Lakers went out and got Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to establish themselves as what many 5Dimes experts considered legitimate NBA title contenders. However, Blake Griffin has taken his game to the next level, while Chris Paul has finally been able to remain in the lineup without having to worry about the injury concerns that plagued him last season. What’s most impressive is that even with all their scoring ability, the Clippers still rank second in the NBA in points allowed. Despite following up a 17-game win streak with a .500 record over their last six games, Griffin and company are still very much in contention for the top spot in the Western Conference and home court advantage in the opening round as long as they can get back on track.
As for the Grizzlies, a 5-1 start to the new year hasn’t done much to slow down the rumor mill with word that the online betting team is looking to move Rudy Gay to get under the luxury tax. The idea that any legitimate contender would move their leading scorer to save money is a scary proposition, but even with Gay moving on Memphis could remain a top-four team if they can land the right package for him. Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, and Marc Gasol are much more integral pieces to the puzzle for the Grizzlies, and if they can find another pure scorer to provide a spark from the outside then Memphis will be just fine.
For as much as both teams have accomplished so far, a strong sportsbook finish to the year will be just as important as the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors all look to push them out of a top-four spot. While the Grizzlies haven’t let trade rumors both them so far, an eventual move could be a tough test to overcome. The Clippers aren’t about to let any of their top scorers get away, but for the top team in Los Angeles but focus and a sense of urgency will be needed down the stretch to avoid any collapse. For all of the latest NBA news and odds, be sure to check out the best online betting sites.
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