NBA Southwest Division Odds

The Southwest Division has produced many title contenders out of the Western Conference over the years, with arguably one of the most dominant teams in NBA history in the San Antonio Spurs during their heyday. The Southwest Division also features one of the NBA's most bitter rivalries between the Rockets and the Spurs, known as the I-10 Rivalry. While bad blood of the past continues to be prevalent within the division, newer comers like the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans look to carve out their own history within the Southwest in the years to come. 

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are likely best known for their strong decade of performances from roughly 2000-2011. This time period coincided with arrival of new owner, Mark Cuban and eventual NBA legend, Dirk Nowitzki. Over the course of this decade-plus, the Mavericks fielded teams that consistently competed for Western Conference dominance and eventually went on to win the title in 2011. The Mavericks had difficulty building off their championship season and fell into several rebuilding seasons as Nowitzki's playing career also came to an end. The Mavericks landed Luca Dončić in 2019 and have begun to reassert themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Southwest.

Dallas Mavericks Facts:

Division Titles: 3

Conference Titles: 2

NBA Championships: 1

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets reached their greatest heights in early 1990's in the years where Michael Jordan was out of the NBA. Back-to-back championship seasons from 1993-1995 is the history this franchise strives to recreate. The Rockets have had glimmers of hope in the decades since, but have never been able to find playoff success. From the Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady era to James Harden and Chris Paul partnership, the Rockets couldn't find the wins in the postseason when they needed them and were knocked out in either Western Conference Finals or Semifinals in four consecutive seasons. The Rockets are now in a full rebuild and look to turn the tide by building through the draft and young talent. 

Houston Rockets Facts:

Division Titles: 4

Conference Titles: 4

NBA Championships: 2

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are a relatively young franchise within the NBA as they were brought into to the league during the 1995-96 expansion. Originally founded in Vancouver, the Grizzlies were relocated to Memphis after the 2000-01 season. The Grizzlies are still seeking their first division and conference titles. There have been some big names come through Memphis over the years like Allen Iverson, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph, to name a few. However, the Grizzlies were never able to build a legitimate contender around those players. 2021-22 could possibly mark the franchise's best chance to capture that elusive first division title led by Ja Morant and a core of young talent.

Memphis Grizzlies Facts:

Division Titles: 0

Conference Titles: 0

NBA Championships: 0

New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans truly hold the title of new kid on the block. The Pelicans were founded in 2013 in their current form, but where in New Orleans since 2002 as a relocated Hornets team. Anchored by future Hall of Fame player, Chris Paul, the Hornets (now Pelicans) struggled to find their footing in the NBA for several seasons. The Hornets won the 2007-08 Southwest Division title and made it to the Western Conference Semifinals. Since then, the Hornets changed their name to the Pelicans and have been unable to duplicate the success of that great season. Despite having drafted players like Anthony Davis (now with the Lakers) and Zion Williamson, there's not been a lot of cohesion across the organization to make another deep playoff run.

New Orleans Pelicans Facts:

Division Titles: 1

Conference Titles: 0

NBA Championships: 0

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonia Spurs are not only the most prolific team in the history of the Southwest Division, but they are also one of the most decorated franchises throughout the NBA. Heavyweight bouts between the Tim Duncan Spurs and the Kobe/Shaq Lakers will forever be legendary in NBA lore. Despite the illustrious history, the San Antonio Spurs have been in a decline over the past six seasons. The Spurs have failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and are not currently in position to seriously compete for a playoff spot in 2022. The Spurs appear to be in a rare franchise rebuild as they've traded away some top talent in the past few seasons to get younger as a roster and stockpile draft picks. How long will it be until the Spurs reemerge as the dominant force in the Southwest? 

San Antonio Spurs Facts:

Division Titles: 9

Conference Titles: 6

NBA Championships: 5