Tag: San Antonio

Spurs rank 11th among shortest odds to title

The Spurs haven’t exactly captured the attention of Las Vegas bettors as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The latest odds from the website indicate the Spurs rank 11th among the NBA teams with the lowest odds for an NBA title. San Antonio’s odds are 30-to-1 for claiming its fifth title in team history this season.

Odds to win 2012 NBA Championship

  • Miami Heat 9/4
  • Los Angeles Lakers 9/2
  • Chicago Bulls 7/1
  • Oklahoma City Thunder 15/2
  • Dallas Mavericks 10/1
  • Boston Celtics 14/1
  • Los Angeles Clippers 15/1
  • New York Knicks 18/1
  • Memphis Grizzlies 25/1
  • Orlando Magic 25/1
  • San Antonio Spurs 30/1
  • Portland Trailblazers 35/1
  • Atlanta Hawks 40/1
  • New Jersey Nets 50/1
  • Denver Nuggets 65/1
  • Houston Rockets 75/1
  • Indiana Pacers 75/1
  • Phoenix Suns 75/1
  • Golden State Warriors 100/1
  • Milwaukee Bucks 100/1
  • New Orleans Hornets 100/1
  • Philadelphia 76ers 100/1
  • Utah Jazz 100/1
  • Charlotte Bobcats 150/1
  • Minnesota Timberwolves 150/1
  • Sacramento Kings 150/1
  • Washington Wizards 150/1
  • Cleveland Cavaliers 200/1
  • Detroit Pistons 200/1
  • Toronto Raptors 200/1

Interestingly, the Clippers were 40-to-1 and New Orleans was 75-to-1 before the Chris Paul trade was announced.

How about it Spurs Nation? Do you have confidence that a bet on the Spurs would bring back any money at the end of the season?

Tiago looking for continued growth in second season

It would be understandable if Tiago Splitter had some lingering bad memories remaining his rookie season.

Splitter played in 60 games, including 27 where he logged less than 10 minutes. He was benched during an eight-game stretch in February which set back his development.

Those early struggles led Splitter to rededicate himself over the summer. He first trained in San Antonio before accepting a contract with the Spanish club Valencia Basket before the lockout was settled.

That extensive work has Splitter confident approaching his second season.

“It was good. I was working here almost all summer, with TD (Tim Duncan) and the guys,” Splitter said. “I had the opportunity to play a few games over there. It was good for me to get in shape.”

Playing with the Spanish team enabled Splitter to jump-start his conditioning to prepare for a potentially larger role inside — particularly if Antonio McDyess sticks with his retirement plans.

“Over there, it was games, real games,” Splitter said.  “Over here, it was working out and running. The game stuff was better than just working out.”

Splitter failed to see action in the first three games of the playoffs before producing 10 points and nine rebounds in San Antonio’s Game 4 loss to Memphis. He appeared in the remaining games of the series, averaging 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds.

“I want to grow my game,” Splitter said. “I know how to play, I just want to help the team win. Improve on offense, improve on defense, screens, whatever, rebounding to win games.” 

Butler impressed with Spurs after visit

Free agent forward Caron Butler apparently is at the top of the Spurs’ replacement list after the team decided to use the amnesty clause in the new CBA to jettison Richard Jefferson.

Butler met with Spurs officials Wednesday and came away and his opportunity to help San Antonio.