The San Antonio Spurs built one of the most consistent dynasties in sports, winning five titles over 15 years with a famously team-first approach. Here's who they are and how to read their odds.
Who the San Antonio Spurs are
City and arena
The franchise began in the ABA in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals, moved to San Antonio in 1973 and joined the NBA in 1976. The Spurs played at HemisFair Arena and the Alamodome before moving to an arena on the city's east side, which has carried several sponsor names since opening in 2002.
Famous eras
- The Iceman: George Gervin, one of the great scorers of the 1970s and 1980s.
- The Admiral: center David Robinson anchored the team in the 1990s.
- The Duncan-Popovich dynasty: after drafting Tim Duncan in 1997, the Spurs won titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014 under coach Gregg Popovich, with Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili. The franchise made the playoffs for over two decades straight.
- The beautiful game: the 2014 Spurs, praised for their passing and ball movement, beat the Miami Heat in the Finals.
- A new era: after the dynasty, the Spurs rebuilt around young talent through the draft.
Rivalries
The Spurs play in the Southwest Division with the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. The Texas rivalries are fierce. The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns were major playoff rivals in the 2000s.
How to read odds on Spurs games
Favorite or underdog
Spurs -2.5 (-110), moneyline -135: implied 135 ÷ 235 = 57.4%. Spurs +8 (-110), moneyline +280: implied 100 ÷ 380 = 26.3%.
Rebuilding teams and the spread
Young, rebuilding teams are often underdogs. But underdog spreads can be attractive because NBA favorites sometimes ease off with big leads, and young teams often keep competing hard late. Late-game garbage time can lead to backdoor covers. See basketball odds explained.
Worked example: underdog spread vs moneyline
Spurs +8 (-110) or +280 moneyline.
If you estimate:
- Spurs win outright: 24%
- Spurs lose by 7 or fewer: 30%
- Spurs lose by 8 exactly: 4% (push)
- Spurs lose by 9+: 42%
Spread EV per 110 staked: 0.54 × 100 − 0.42 × 110 = 54 − 46.2 = +7.8 Moneyline EV per 100 staked: 0.24 × 280 − 0.76 × 100 = 67.2 − 76 = -8.8
Same game, same opinion, different best market. See point spreads explained.
Young-team variance
Young rosters can be inconsistent, and development can happen quickly. Lines may lag improvement or overreact to it. Look at longer stretches of performance. See streaks and form.
Home court in San Antonio
The Spurs have a loyal fan base, and NBA home advantage is generally priced at 2 to 3 points. During the annual rodeo, the Spurs traditionally go on a long road trip, which is worth noting on the schedule.
What to check before picking Spurs games
- Star and rotation availability, including minutes limits for young players.
- Back-to-backs and the annual rodeo road trip.
- Underdog spread vs moneyline.
- Southwest Division spots.
- Pace for totals.
- The price. See implied probability.
Futures and season-long markets
For rebuilding teams, season win totals are often more practical than title odds. If the Spurs' win total is 34.5 with the over at -105, the implied chance of 35 or more wins is 105 ÷ 205 = 51.2%. See championship odds explained.
Practice with play money
Spurs games are a great way to compare underdog spreads and moneylines. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on both and see which suits your reads. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
How many championships have the Spurs won?
Five: 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
What is the rodeo road trip?
Each winter, the San Antonio rodeo uses the Spurs' arena, so the team goes on an extended road trip, which can affect scheduling and fatigue.
Why do underdog spreads sometimes suit young teams?
Young teams often keep competing late, while favorites may rest starters with a big lead, which can lead to late covers.