There’s quite a stark contrast between the top and bottom teams in the NBA Southwest Division. One end includes NBA title contenders in the Grizzlies and Mavericks, while the other features two young squads with incredible potential in the Spurs and Rockets.
Despite those differences, there’s some potential for mayhem in the Southwest. The Pelicans are a relative unknown, Ja Morant‘s suspension could hamper Memphis, and we’ve yet to see Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving figure out how to play together in Dallas.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the latest Southwest Division betting odds for the 2023-24 NBA season.
NBA Southwest Division Betting Odds 2024
Track line movement for the NBA Southwest Division Winner with our odds widget below:
Caesars Sportsbook provides NBA lines for the 2024 NBA Southwest winner, which are current as of Monday, July 17, at 9 a.m. ET:
- Memphis Grizzlies (+105)
- Dallas Mavericks (+175)
- New Orleans Pelicans (+350)
- San Antonio Spurs (+3500)
- Houston Rockets (+3500)
Who Will Win The NBA Southwest Division?
Dallas Mavericks (+175)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Dallas has the potential to be terrifying this season, but only if it can figure out how to get the most out of Irving and Dončić. The Mavericks went just 5-11 when the two played together in 2022-23, and the defense often looked atrocious.
The addition of Grant Williams is a real ceiling-raiser, though. The 24-year-old forward thrives on doing the dirty work, and his contagious attitude is exactly what this team needs to adapt to succeed on both ends of the floor.
There’s a real chance that the Mavericks hit the ground running this season, and if Memphis stumbles out of the gate, the Southwest Division could be decided by December. Take the value here at (+175) and make this your NBA bet of the day.
NBA Southwest Division Favorite
Memphis Grizzlies (+105)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
Morant’s 25-game suspension looms large here, but I’m still willing to bet on the Grizz. Memphis has won at least 51 games in each of the last two seasons, and the newly-acquired Marcus Smart can help mitigate Morant’s absence until he returns.
Desmond Bane is also back for the long run, signing a five-year maximum extension worth over $200 million this summer. The 25-year-old averaged career-high marks in points (21.5), rebounds (5.0), and assists (4.4) while connecting on 40.8% of his looks from three-point range.
Jaren Jackson Jr. rounds out an impressive young core. The 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year brings Memphis back to its grit and grind era with his elite rim protection, and he continues to improve his offensive game as well.
NBA Southwest Division Contender
New Orleans Pelicans (+350)
After sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings through December, the Pelicans fizzled out down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs in 2022-23. The absence of Zion Williamson played a significant role — he played his final game of the season on Jan. 2.
The roster looks great on paper, with a nice blend of young and veteran talent. Health remains a major factor for New Orleans, though, with Williamson and Brandon Ingram appearing in 74 combined games this past year.
- See where the Pelicans stand in the latest NBA Western Conference odds.
I understand why the Pelicans are priced at (+350), but this is a team I would hold off on betting on until the season’s halfway point.
NBA Southwest Division Sleepers
San Antonio Spurs (+3500)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.1 Units
This isn’t the last time you’ll hear this — and it probably isn’t the first — but seriously, don’t sleep on Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs this year. The roster is quite good, and San Antonio worked hard to bring in the right veterans this summer.
Outside of Wemby, players to watch include Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Tre Jones, and Summer League superstar Julian Champagnie. Johnson and Vassell, in particular, are already bordering on being All-Star talents.
Winning the division is unlikely, but San Antonio could genuinely be a playoff team this season, and there are enough red flags with the teams ranked above them to make this worthy of a bet at (+3500) odds.
Houston Rockets (+3500)
Get ready for a bounce-back season from Houston. The Rockets have a new coach, a reloaded roster, and an improving young core that should help to drag them out of the depths of the Western Conference.
Fred VanVleet was the big offseason splash, but Houston also added well-renowned pest Dillon Brooks and veteran forward Jeff Green, who figures to bring a leadership role to the locker room.
Rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore could be the real deal, while second- and third-year rotation pieces Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Jalen Green, and Alperen Şengün could all find themselves in the Most Improved Player race.
The Southwest crown is likely out of the question, but this will be a fun season for the Rockets regardless.
