OKC Thunder favored to win competitive Northwest in updated Vegas odds
Northwest Division odds ranking:
Oddshark updated the current lines for the most competitive division in the NBA. The Northwest contains by far the most competitive group of the six divisions. The OKC Thunder, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Portand Trail Blazers comprise the division. Each of these five clubs will meet four times in season. Any of the clubs could finish the season as a playoff squad and conceivably as a home court seed. Updated Northwest Division lines presented on September 13 on OddsShark ranked the Thunder first.
OKC Thunder: 2 to 1
"For a team that has two of the top 15 players in the NBA, the Thunder really underachieved last season. Oklahoma City finished with a record of 48-34, one game back of Portland for the division lead. In one of the few times where a subtraction may be an addition, the Thunder sent Carmelo Anthony packing and got PG Dennis Schroder in return. That move should greatly help OKC in the early parts of the season as Russell Westbrook may need to miss the first week or two due to a procedure on his knee. I would probably avoid the Thunder at +200 just because of the low value, potential injury risk and the fact that they finished 7-15 SU in 22 divisional games last season."
The remainder of the division is ranked as follows:
- Utah Jazz: 12 to 5
- Denver Nuggets: 9 to 2
- Minnesota Timberwolves 5 to 1
- Portand Trail Blazers 13 to 2
Considering the Jazz took the Thunder out of the playoffs this points to how much depth Sam Presti added this offseason. Defining the competitiveness of the Northwest Division is the fact last seasons Division Champion the Blazers have the worst odds to repeat that accomplishment.