That's been the story for the San Antonio Spurs all year. It's almost like head coach Gregg Popovich picks his spots when to put a spur in the ass of his superstars.

Tim Duncan is ranked 49th in minutes played for the season, which is amazing seeing as stars like Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Dwight Howard are in the top 10. It seems like the Spurs have been cruising to prepare themselves to take the Western Conference down the stretch and start the playoffs strong. And it looks like the time is now.

Bodog Nation takes a look at how the Spurs stack up with other good/bad bets in our NBA power rankings for Week 23.

BEST BETS

5. Los Angeles Lakers 43-29-1 ATS (Last 10: 4-6)

Good news, Lakers bettors, Pau Gasol was back in the lineup versus Portland on Wednesday, which means L.A. should shift from "surviving" back to "dominating" in no time. You know the Lakers want the No. 1 spot in the West, but they'll have a tough road before they get there. After Portland, it's the Dirk Nowitzki-less Dallas Mavericks, three below .500 teams on the road (Sacramento, Portland and L.A. Clippers) and then back at home for huge games against the New Orleans Hornets and Spurs. They should fare well until those super-sized Hornets/Spurs matchups.

4. San Antonio Spurs 35-38-2 ATS (Last 10: 7-3)

Every time I take my eyes off the Western standings, another team sneaks in. The Spurs have tied themselves up at the top of the West by winning eight games in a row and 7-1 against the spread. This is probably the most unreliable Spurs team in their Popovich's Spurs dynasty, but I expect them to be in playoff mode from here on out. A motivated Spurs team means money for bettors.

3. Philadelphia 76ers 41-31-3 ATS (Last 10: 6-4)

Chemistry is half the battle in the road to respectability in the NBA. And it looks like Philly's got it. Andre Iguodala doesn't post Allen Iverson numbers; he barely even posts Luol Deng numbers. And Andre Millers is a broke man’s Jason Kidd. But the two mesh well, and the Sixers win. Can the Sixers win the playoffs? Against Boston and Detroit, they don't have the talent. But if they face anyone else in the East, they have the chemistry to hang.

2. Boston Celtics 46-26-1 ATS (Last 10: 8-2)

One player who's starting to get props for the Celtics' success is Paul Pierce and deservedly so. Kevin Garnett's been a beast since he put on Celtic green, but behind his shine Pierce has been the team's rock. Pierce leads the team in scoring (19.8 points per game), hasn't missed a game all year and kept Boston bettable during Garnett's and Ray Allen's injuries. He'll probably be the reason why Garnett doesn't grab the MVP award because he'll grab some votes himself.

1. New Orleans Hornets 45-26-2 ATS (Last 10: 7-2-1)

You know what Isiah Thomas averaged in his third year? 21.3 points and 11.1 assists. Chris Paul's third-year numbers? 21.5 points and 11.4 assists. This kid is playing scary ball right now, and I don't think I can remember one team that's slowed him down all season. They'll be profitable in the playoffs, whether you believe they can win it all or not.

BAD BETS

5. Memphis Grizzlies 32-41-1 ATS (Last 10: 7-3)

The Grizz are almost here by default, because a good portion of the usually bad teams in the NBA have actually been playing solid ball. They've won seven of their last 10 ATS but seem to have come back to earth with two losses in the ATS column versus the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks. Luckily, for those planning to bet against them, half of the teams in their final eight games have records that are .500 or better.

4. Toronto Raptors 37-36-1 ATS (Last 10: 3-7)

Soft terry cloth: That's what I think when I look at the Raptors, and it's hurting them in the win column. The identity of the Raps can be summed up by looking at Chris Bosh's frame: talented from head-to-toe but weak and thin overall, making them susceptible to stronger, tougher teams. Head coach Sam Mitchell has been shuffling his lineup in order to find some toughness, but this team is built for the FIBA championship, not the NBA championship.

3. New York Knicks 33-40-1 ATS (Last 10: 3-7)

I don't know what Donnie Walsh is going to do to the Knicks, but I guarantee it'll be better than the handful of underachievers whom Thomas has managed to slap together in his tenure as team prez. What's amazing to me is he still thinks the crumbling embarrassment he’s assembled has a "very bright future." Please, Walsh, fire his ass.

2. Los Angeles Clippers 31-43 ATS (Last 10: 5-5)

Enter Elton Brand, goodbye Chris Kaman. This Clippers team wouldn't be half as bad if they could stay healthy. Even with Kaman likely sidelined for the rest of the year with an ankle injury, Brand should make the Clipshow better... but not that much better. They're ranked this low for a reason. They've lost nine of their last 10 games.

1. Milwaukee Bucks 31-41 ATS (Last 10: 3-7)

Building a team around a shooting guard bears certain risks, and the Bucks have failed to meet expectations because of that. If your shooting guard is going to be your best player, he better also be your best playmaker, and it's evident that Michael Redd is a role player, not a playmaker. So let me be the first to make the bold statement that new GM Larry Harris should shop the guard to a contender this offseason, as he'll serve better as a No. 2 or 3 than he ever will as a No. 1.