NBA Betting: Back the Spurs with big bucks on rodeo trip

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 10 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Santonio Spurs find themselves in the unusual situation of an eight match road trip. But, rather than see their exile from the AT&T centre as a disruption, Greg Popovich and co regard it as a time for consolidation. That's why Nick Shiambouros is recommending that you back them with the handicap in their next five games.

The San Antonio Spurs are currently at the beginning of their annual "rodeo road trip" which lasts until the 24th of February.

Every year for the last six years the AT&T Center has been home to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Because of this arrangement the Spurs have to hit the road and play eight games away from home. They will travel to eight different cities and rack up almost eleven thousand miles. This is by far the most unusual scenario for any team in the NBA.

Spurs head coach Greg Popovich uses the trip to try and build a platform for the play-offs and uses the time to bond with some of the newer players. If fact Spurs guard Roger Mason was not sure what to expect as it is his first rodeo trip but admitted he felt a little pressure. He was keen to make sure that it was going to be a productive period.

Team leader Tim Duncan uses this time wisely, getting to know the younger players and bringing the whole team together. As a battle hardened veteran of every rodeo trip, he gives valuable advice and guidance to his younger counterparts.

The Spurs have a record of 35-13 spanning this six year period and it has been very profitable following them during the trip. They have played three games of the road trip so far but beating the Boston Celtics 105-99 on Sunday was a huge boost for them. I was very impressed how the Spurs came from behind. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all came up with points when it really mattered. It is never easy to beat Boston at any time but they raised their game to close them out.

The Spurs have five games left on the trip and I really like their chances in the remaining games with the handicap. They have to play New Jersey,Toronto, New York, Detroit and Washington in this period but only the Pistons have a winning record.

I was not at all impressed by Detroit against Phoenix on Sunday as they lost 107-97. The Pistons are a team to oppose at present and I fully expect the Spurs to take care of them.

With the possible exception of New York, none of the other teams have play-off aspirations so this is a real opportunity for them to retain second place in the Western Conference.

The Spurs are fully aware of how well the Los Angeles Lakers are playing at the moment and are keen to keep tabs on them . Coach Popovich is one of the best and most respected coaches in basketball. He has reminded his team that if they keep this pace up it will probably lead to a showdown with the Lakers come play-off time.

The NBA celebrates this weekend with the annual All- Star break and it signals the half-way point of the season. Coach Popovich will use the time to relax with his players and prepare them for what he believes will be a Conference final against the Lakers. Few would argue with that.

Recommendation: back San Antonio with the handicap for the next five games.