For those of you who enjoy engaging in a little sports betting (I am raising my hand) or just want to get a feel for how the public perceives your favorite team will this year, Vegas released its initial over/under win totals for all 30 NBA teams.
As you likely would have guessed, the team with the highest total next season is the defending champion Golden State Warriors with an over/under of 67.5. When you consider that they went 67-15 last season and 73-9 the year before, and they likely improved in the off-season, 67.5 seems like a perfect number.
On the other end of the spectrum, the projected bottom feeder of the league may surprise you, it is none other than the Chicago Bulls. They are projected to win only 21.5 games, when you lose Jimmy Butler and likely Dwyane Wade and have a team led by Zach LaVine, that doesn’t exactly scream wins.
Here is the complete list of over/under win totals for next season:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 56.5 (under)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers 53.5 (over)
3. Toronto Raptors 48.5 (under)
4. Milwaukee Bucks 47.5 (under)
4. Washington Wizards 47.5 (over)
6. Miami Heat 43.5 (under)
7. Charlotte Hornets 42.5 (over)
7. Philadelphia 76ers 42.5 (under)
Detroit Pistons 38.5 (over)
Orlando Magic 33.5 (under)
Indiana Pacers 31.5 (under)
New York Knicks 30.5 (under)
Brooklyn Nets 28.5 (under)
Atlanta Hawks 25.5 (under)
Chicago Bulls 21.5 (over)
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 67.5 (under)
2. Houston Rockets 55.5 (over)
3. San Antonio Spurs 54.5 (under)
4. Oklahoma City Thunder 51.5 (under)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves 48.5 (over)
6. Denver Nuggets 45.5 (over)
7. L.A. Clippers 43.5 (over)
8. Portland Trail Blazers 42.5 (over)
Utah Jazz 40.5 (over)
New Orleans Pelicans 39.5 (under)
Memphis Grizzlies 37.5 (under)
Dallas Mavericks 35.5 (under)
Los Angeles Lakers 33.5 (over)
Phoenix Suns 28.5 (under)
Sacramento Kings 28.5 (over)
Some quick analysis here, the Grizzlies and Pelicans could be in for some major changes around the trade deadline or next off-season if those win totals are accurate. Also in a shocking twist (sarcasm) Vegas doesn’t think LaVar Ball’s prophecy of Lonzo Ball leading the Lakers to the playoffs will come close to coming true.
It would be fun if the 76ers could sneak into the playoffs as projected and if the Hawks and Bulls are projected to skyrocket to the top of the tank sweepstakes.
As a betting man, there is one total that sticks out like a sore thumb to me for next season and that is the Utah Jazz at 40.5. I think they recovered from losing Gordon Hayward incredibly well and I think they will win 45 to 50 games with their depth, defense, style of play and the addition of Ricky Rubio and how he will aid Rudy Gobert’s offensive development.
