The San Antonio Spurs will enter the 2014-15 NBA season searching for the one ting that has eluded them during their 16-year history under coach Gregg Popovich and franchise star Tim Duncan—back-to-back NBA titles. Last season San Antonio spent the year dealing with pent-up frustration and a new-found motivation after losing two games in Miami that they should have won, and it turned those disappointments into a dominant regular-season and playoff run.

The new challenge for Popovich will be keeping his team motivated and hungry for another championship season, which would force the perpetually-underrated Spurs into the greatest-teams-of-all-time conversation. Duncan, Popovich and Manu Ginobili are deep into the twilight of their careers, and winning another title would be the perfect way for all three to end their time with the Spurs. Let’s take a closer look at San Antonio’s futures odds with predictions and analysis.

2014 San Antonio Spurs Betting Story Lines

If San Antonio did not have a target on its chest after nearly winning a title in 2013, it definitely does now. The team is clearly the best squad in the NBA and plays like a well-oiled machine that relies on every part in its system to succeed. The Spurs draft correctly, evolve with the game, and play basketball the “right” way—in 2014 its biggest concern will be lack of motivation. Winning consecutive titles is difficult in any sport, yet where San Antonio may have an advantage as opposed to it championship teams of years past is that capturing a second straight title is the one thing the organization has yet to accomplish.

The Spurs have a relativity young roster with guys like Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills and the deceptively-young Tony Parker doing most of the heavy lifting during the regular season. Of course, the team may suffer a bit of complacency to open up the year, but San Antonio relies on system basketball and keeping its players healthy throughout a long regular season to succeed when it matter most—in the playoffs. Do not be surprised if the Spurs receive more attention than usual early in the year and suffer because of it.

2014 San Antonio Spurs Additions and Departures

Key Additions: Kyle Anderson

Key Departures: none

San Antonio is on the third year of a title run with its current roster and does not need to make many additions. Sure, the organization will continue to develop players and have them ready to fill in the gaps in case of injury, but expect the exact same team out of San Antonio as we saw last season. Kyle Anderson, the former forward from UCLA, was the Spurs’ first-round draft choice, and he could see time on the floor this season if he can consistently knock down long-range shots and help stretch the floor for the team.

2014 San Antonio Spurs Futures Odds

NBA Title Odds: +400 (second)

Western Conference Odds: +200 (first)

Division Odds: -160 (first)

Win Totals: O/U 57.5

MVP Odds: Tony Parker +10000; Tim Duncan +12500

Many NBA experts and fans are beginning to jump on the Cleveland or Chicago title bandwagon. However, make no mistake about it, San Antonio is the best team in the NBA and should be the betting favorite. Of course, they are not because the public loves LeBron James, so right away the Spurs’ are receiving extra value on their title odds because they should probably be +200 instead of +400.

The Western Conference is packed with talent, yet as things stand at the moment San Antonio is by far the best team, and something drastic would need to happen—mainly Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin or James Harden elevating their game into Michael Jordan territory—for that assessment to change. Coach Popovich may place even more emphasis on resting his players throughout the season, and the Spurs win total could suffer as a result. Expect the team to end the year “under” its 57.5-win mark and settle with about 55 or 56 wins.

2014 San Antonio Spurs Predictions and Futures Odds Picks

Record : 56-26

Playoffs : NBA champions

Division : First place

San Antonio has spent the last decade flying under the radar and giving up most of its glory to the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. When sports fans mention the greatest championship teams of all time, San Antonio’s title squads inevitably come up last. In 2014 the organization has a chance to become historic by winning consecutive titles, something only a hand full of teams in NBA history have done, and it would be naïve to assume that accomplishment is not on Popovich’s mind.

Expect San Antonio to take a step back during the regular season and probably not capture the No.1 seed in the West. The pressure of the regular season and teams targeting them more than usual could become an issue. However, the Spurs are simply the best team in the NBA and are on track to win another NBA title.

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Read more articles by George Monroy