Around the NBA: Breaking down the Southwest Division
By Ken Newhouse
Dec 5, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) guards San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs sure are a sneaky bunch. They sit in fourth place in the Southwest Division, but are only 3.5 games out of first place. They’ve weathered a tough storm this year with injuries to Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard. When all five of their starters are on the floor, they’ve shown they are still one of the best teams in the NBA.
The defending champions are 28-17 on the season, and kicked off a six game homestand last night with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. The schedule is quite soft before they set out on a nine game road trip in February.
San Antonio has had some shocking losses this year. They’ve suffered a home loss to the lowly Los Angeles Lakers, and somehow found a way to lose against Utah on the road.
If the top teams in the Southwest Division keep holding steady and play .500 basketball, the Spurs could find themselves back with the division lead rather quickly. People need to learn to never doubt a Greg Poppovich coached team.
I believe with a healthy Spurs lineup, that they’ll eventually get over the hump and pass Houston and Dallas in the standings to finish second in the Southwest Division and clinch the four seed in the west.