The NBA Season is getting underway tonight, with the Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers trying to get their first W of the season. Figuring out just how many W’s the NBA teams will get by the end of the season is hard to predict, but that doesn’t stop me (@Maefteda) and Kevin (@KevNissanka) from trying to guess all 30 Over/Under win totals.
Milwaukee Bucks
Over/Under = 57.5
Wins Last Season: 60
Mathias: Over
Giannis might have won the MVP last season, but he’s still developing and hasn’t reached his full powers yet. The rest of the NBA should be freaked out by that thought. Sure, the loss of Malcolm Brogdon will hurt them, and Mirotic was good for them in the regular season, but in comes veterans Kyle Korver, Wes Mathews and the missing Lopez brother, Robin. Keep an eye out for Donte DiVincenzo in his 2nd year too. The Bucks will be even better this season.
Kevin: Over
Fun fact: At least one team has won 58 or more games every season this century. I think it’s fair to make the assumption that this will be happening thanks to a team in the Eastern Conference as the Western Conference is stacked! Like Mathias mentioned, we haven’t really seen the full powers of Giannis yet and therefore I think it’s an easy Over for the Bucks!
Philadelphia 76ers
Over/Under = 54.5
Wins Last Season: 51
Kevin: Over
The 76ers are going to be so hungry to prove themselves after the heart-wrenching way that they lost to the Raptors in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. The team will only get better and more efficient together, which is why I think it’s an easy prediction that they will get more wins. Especially if Ben Simmons has a jump shot and Joel Embiid stays healthy!
Mathias: Over
Jimmy Butler finally has his own team and it’s not in Philly, which seemed like a perfect situation for him. Miami means more money, sun and women however, so good luck at your new destination. The 76ers recovered really well however, securing Josh Richardson back in the sign & trade for Butler along with Al Horford and extending Tobias Harris’ contract. Ben Simmons sunk his first NBA 3 pointer too, so expect big things for the 76ers.
Houston Rockets
Over/Under = 53.5
Wins Last Season: 53
Mathias: Over
Russell Westbrook in the house! He might get a bad rep, but Westbrook is still a superstar and a former MVP. He becomes the partner of another former MVP in James Harden, reuniting parts of the OKC super team for the first time since KD left them. Condolences to everyone in Oklahoma who will suffer through their first losing season with CP3 on board. Either way, the Rockets will improve from last year, simply by getting Westbrook, he’s that good.
Kevin: Over
James Harden is an automatic 50+ wins player. Add Russell Westbrook who is an efficient playmaker, rebounder and scorer, you’ve got an easy Over in the making especially when you’ve added a PG who isn’t dwindling (Sorry CP3 fans).
Utah Jazz
Over/Under = 53.5
Wins Last Season: 50
Kevin: Under
Look, there is no denying that there’s so much talent in the Utah Jazz, but the question still remains, can they sort out their messy roster? Where does the perimeter defense come from? Who will play at Power Forward? How do you rotate this filled up roster? Will Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley work together? Can they overcome their super difficult opening schedule? There are too many variables that makes me say, that’s an Under.
Mathias: Over
Will this be the year Mike Conley finally makes an All-Star team? It would certainly be deserved if so. Assuming he manages to stay healthy, the Jazz will get over 53.5 wins this year. My man Donovan Mitchell should see more growth than he did last season, while Gobert, Jingles & co should shore up the defensive side of the ball.
Los Angeles Clippers
Over/Under = 53.5
Wins Last Season: 48
Mathias: Over
53.5 wins? I think this Kawhi Leonard game management thing is overblown and he might even play more games this year, as he’s further removed from the weird injury situation that held him out of his last season with the Spurs. Even still, the Raptors won 58 games last season and they didn’t have anyone nearly as good as Paul George. Chalk this up as an easy over.
Kevin: Under
Don’t get me wrong, this team will be challenging at the very end for the NBA title, that is how strong their star duo is. HOWEVER, I feel that both stars will be rotated because they can’t keep themselves injury free. I also don’t like that the Clippers lost a few key players including Tobias Harris who will be kicking ass with the 76ers. Sorry Clippers fans, I think this might be a sneaky Under.
Denver Nuggets
Over/Under = 52.5
Wins Last Season: 54
Kevin: Over
Mathias will constantly say Nikola Jokic is worse than Karl-Anthony Towns but he’s obviously biased and wrong. Regardless, adding Jerami Grant is perfect as it adds a much needed in balance in their frontcourt and will be very complimentary to Paul Millsap, so I can see the Nuggets having a great year again and maybe even compete with the elites as legit championship contenders. I can’t wait to see some crazy plays from Jokic in the upcoming season! It’s an Over from me, dawg.
Mathias: Over
The Nuggets are legit, they haven’t lost anyone of significance and traded for Jerami Grant who has some sneaky upside to his game. They have the 2nd best center in the west with Nikola Jokic and his play in the playoffs last season tells you that he’s hungry for more than just a poor diet. His passing is mesmerizing to watch, I have to admit. Jamal Murray can shoot the lights out and there is some trade potential with this NBA championship dark horse too.
Los Angeles Lakers
Over/Under = 50.5
Wins Last Season: 37
Mathias: Over
50.5? We felt it should be closer to 60.5. They won’t be a 60 win team, but have people forgotten how good LeBron is after one year without him in the playoffs? Same goes for Anthony Davis, who wasn’t himself last season. As much as I hate the way LeBron responded to China and how AD left the Pelicans, they are going to be very very dangerous together. The Lakers have the joint worst record in the NBA the last 6 season, but expect that to change. That’s all folks!
Kevin: Over
You have two megastars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Nuff said, only injuries will stop them from getting over 50.5 wins.
Golden State Warriors
Over/Under: = 48.5
Wins Last Season: 57
Kevin: Under
We saw during the finals just how crap the GSW are without their superstars and you just know that things will not go their way this season because Klay Thompson is injured, their defense is horrible bar Kevon Looney and Draymond Green, plus Stephen Curry gets injured frequently too. I still think the team will make the play-offs but they are going to get an Under.
Mathias: Under
The OG Warriors would be such a fun story to follow if Klay Thompson was healthy, but it’s gonna be an uphill battle in a tough western conference this season. I still have a lot of faith in Steph Curry however and Draymond Green found a new gear last season. They snatched D’lo out of my Timberwolves’ hands and it still hurts, but he’s a good player and will help the Warriors be competitive until Klay Thompson comes back. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back earlier than most expect. He is, no pun intended, a Warrior. I still have them in the playoffs, but with a sliiight under.
Boston Celtics
Over/Under: = 48.5
Wins Last Season: 49
Mathias: Over
Out with locker room cancer Kyrie and in with locker room… chemotherapist.. Kemba Walker. The Celtics are a good team, but had plenty of ego and chemistry issues last season. Gordon Hayward is one year removed from his injury and could have a bounce back year. Brad Stevens was always better when coaching a team without major egos and stars, so this might be the year he finally earns the coach of the year award.
Kevin: Over
So yes, last year was a dumpster fire for the Boston Celtics but it comes with the territory when you have a superstar who’s between two minds and several injuries and a great player like Gordon Hayward who wasn’t playing to his full capacity. Yes, they did lose Al Horford but I think that getting Kemba Walker might have been one of the smartest moves of the off-season. Yeah peeps, this will be a good year for the Celtics, as much as that pains for me to say.
Toronto Raptors
Over/Under = 47.5
Wins Last Season: 58
Kevin: Under
They won the NBA finals. They frankly did the improbable. Does that mean that they will have success this year? Hell no. Pascal Siakam is awesome but that’s about it when it comes to their roster as you have no real scorers in the team anymore. Sorry fans in “The Six”, you got an Under this season.
Mathias: Under
They did manage to play well when they sat Kawhi last season, Pascal Siakam should emerge as a #1 option and OG Anunoby could break out if he gets past his injury issues. Recovering from winning the championship without your best player is a tall order though and some of the veterans are not getting any younger. They could potentially blow it up midway through the season too and build with youth around Siakam.
Portland Trail Blazers
Over/Under = 46.5
Wins Last Season: 53
Mathias: Over
People keep doubting Lillard’s Blazers and they keep putting the doubters to rest. Keep sleeping on Lillard and he’ll keep punishing you with step backs and dagger 3’s. One of the best to ever do it at the PG position! Yeah, I said it. Hassan Whiteside is probably subtraction by addition and not having Nurkic to start the season sucks, but Lillard and McCollum have been through this too many times to fuck up now.
Kevin: Over
Dame D.O.L.L.A. is all you need. Low-tier god. Over.
Indiana Pacers
Over/Under = 46.5
Wins Last Season: 48
Kevin: Under
Mathias tried to convince me that TJ Warren wasn’t an atrocious defender. He’s not just bad, HE IS atrocious. Not to mention the fact that we have no idea when Victor Oladipo will be returning, who has blossomed to one of the elite defenders in the game and also just one of the best players in the NBA. Sorry guys, this is an Under from me.
Mathias: Under
Like I said last year, Victor Oladipo is a baaaaaad man. Sadly, he’s was also an injured man at the end of last season and he still hasn’t recovered. Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb are solid additions however and the Pacers will be sniffing around 46-48 wins again. With Oladipo needing time to find himself at best and having more injury issues at worst, I’m gonna take the slight under here.
San Antonio Spurs
Over/Under = 45.5
Wins Last Season: 48
Mathias: Over
I’m done betting against Popovich and the Spurs. I thought they were done last season when my Timberwolves absolutely thrashed them before Christmas, but they found a way to come back. Aldridge and DeRozan are the headliners, but the return of Dejounte Murray and the emergence of Derrick White is the story here. Lonnie Walker has a lot of talent too and should be healthy, so this might be a fun young squad by season’s end.
Kevin: Under
I am ready to bet against Popovic and the Spurs. They have lost so many players, don’t have an elite defense and look like they’re in some real doo-doo. The lack of good shooters will also cost the Spurs. They are not going to have as much fun as they did last year. Sorry, guys.
Brooklyn Nets
Over/Under = 43.5
Wins Last Season: 42
Kevin: Under
Knicks are the best team in New York. Don’t @ me. I think the Nets will come together and become real contenders but they lost too many players who played a big part of their play-offs run last year and there are so many injuries to their current squad. I think once Kevin Durant is back, they might make me eat my words for this Over/Under, but I think it will be an under while they try to figure things out year one. UNDER!
Mathias: Over
Kyrie might not be the worlds best teammate, but he’s an amazing basketball player. The Nets will be in a honeymoon period and everyone will be raring to go, despite KD out for the season. It’s kinda inexplicable that DeAndre Jordan will start over Jarrett Allen, but the Nets are a team packed with young talent behind their big name stars. Caris LeVert was breaking out last season before his injury and he’ll be good enough for people to consider him, KD and Kyrie a big 3 going forward.
Miami Heat
Over/Under = 43.5
Wins Last Season: 39
Mathias: Over
As much as I wanna say under for Jimmy Butler’s new team (salty Timberwolves fan here), I gotta say over for the Heat, who have some interesting pieces. Kendrick Nunn is the guy everyone will scratch their heads at for going undrafted. That kid can ball. Him and Tyler Herro will be outsider to win ROTY after the injury to Zion Williamson possibly has opened up that race. Slight over for the Heat in a weak eastern conference here.
Kevin: Over
Jimmy Butler has apparently never played for a team that was under .500. That is crazy and something I think he will continue at Miami Heat. He is an elite player who on his own has helped every team he has played for (even the resident Minnesota Timberwolves fan can’t deny that they lost a player that made them competitive). I also believe that the aptly named Tyler Herro is awesome and offers great 3PT shooting. They will do pretty awesome in a lackluster Eastern conference.
Orlando Magic
Over/Under = 41.5
Wins Last Season: 42
Kevin: Over
I GOT HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. If you’ve never listened to Sheck Wes’ Mo Bamba, have you been living under a rock? Unlike Mathias, I feel pretty good about Orlando Magic’s chances of going over because Mo Bamba, Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac are getting better and better. I think Markelle Fultz will finally show what he’s all about and his shooting form looks decent in most recent training videos!
Mathias: Under
Unsure how to feel about the Orlando Magic. They resigned their guys and are hoping internal improvement will be the key to progress forward. I like Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba individually, but I’m unsure how they fit together. I wish Markelle Fultz would blossom here, but I feel like he might be more of a distraction rather than the answer to Magic’s PG woes. Going with a slight under here.
Dallas Mavericks
Over/Under = 41.5
Wins Last Season: 33
Mathias: Under
Doncic and Porzingis are a fantastic pairing, but the big Latvian needs time to recover fully and be back to his best. He usually starts the season on fire, but going so long without playing will put an end to that. There need to be some losers in the west and I still think the Mavericks need a year to get everyone healthy and build a better roster around their two centerpieces. The rest of the squad is lackluster.
Kevin: Under
Porzingis did my Knicks dirty and is looking more and more like Ivan Drago every day. Unfortunately, don’t think Porzingis will reach the heights he’s destined to this season as there is a lot of rust that needs to be shaken off. Luka Doncic is a stud despite being Real Madrid scum, but there is so much dead-weight. Sorry guys, it’s an Under.
Sacramento Kings
Over/Under = 39
Wins Last Season: 37.5
Kevin: Over
De’Aaron Fox is awesome, Buddy Hield deserves more recognition and Marvin Bagley proved Mathias wrong. Do I need to say more? OVER
Mathias: Over
Both De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley have proved me wrong for pegging them as busts and I will be excited to see them in action again this season, along with Buddy Hield, who I always had faith in. The Kings are not the laughingstock of the NBA anymore and they will get close to 40 wins again. They might hit 39 exactly.
Detroit Pistons
Over/Under = 37.5
Wins Last Season: 41
Mathias: Under
The Pistons are stuck in NBA purgatory and they are still paying Josh Smith millions of dollars somehow. It’s a shitty situation to be in and even though they got their box office attraction in Blake Griffin, he’s on a downward injury-prone spiral, with a big ass contract to boot. They will have to get lucky with the new NBA lottery odds and probably wish they could simulate through the season already.
Kevin: Under
Blake Griffin is getting older and is injury prone, they have a bad roster and it totally sucks to see Derrick Rose at a terrible team like the Pistons. Sorry guys, you should be happy getting a decent chance at a good lottery pick.
New Orleans Pelicans
Over/Under = 37.5
Wins Last Season: 33
Kevin: Over
Well shit. Zion is out which is so God damn typical. Though I constantly get shit for being interested in the Ball family, I genuinely believe that the backcourt with Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday is among one of the best in the league. They also have so many other interesting players such as Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker so yeah, definitely over. Shame that the ROTY is playing for the New York Knicks ;)!
Mathias: Over
No Zion for the first 8 weeks of the season makes me think about the under, but the way the Pelicans have bounced back from the whole Anthony Davis drama has me too excited for them. I also love love love NAW, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the backcourt with Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday will be great too. JJ Redick brings shooting and leadership, while obviously Zion will be a major boost too when he returns. Brandon Ingram is a wild card assuming he’s back from his health issues.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Over/Under = 35.5
Wins Last Season: 36
Mathias: Under
I like our young team and the culture we are trying to build with Gersson Rosas, but being inches away from getting both Darius Garland and D’Angelo Russell before they were snatched away means that this will be another rebuild for Minnesota. Towns is a beast and the best center in the league, while Culver might be a future star. My boy Wiggins tho… Can you please be good? 🙁
Kevin: Under
The Timberwolves would have been a completely different team if D’Angelo Russell had actually come to the team. It is also worrying that they are so awful defensively without Robert Covington and can’t score for shit either. Shame, considering the fact that they have a lot of fun players. Boy you must miss Zach LaVine, Minnesota fans? UNDER.
Charlotte Hornets
Over/Under = 35.5
Wins Last Season: 36
Kevin: Under
They suck, they don’t have the roster to compete and I think they just don’t have the right players to challenge for the playoffs, even in the lackluster east. Sorry Hornets fans, this is a long term project.
Mathias: Under
Kemba Walker was this whole franchise and while I do like Scary Terry Rozier more than most, he will not be able to help this sinking ship. I hope Malik Monk finally gets unleashed, but he’s starting to run out of time now too. I really wish this franchise could turn it around, but they have a long way ahead of themselves.
Atlanta Hawks
Over/Under = 34.5
Wins Last Season: 29
Mathias: Over
The Hawks are one of the most promising squads in the league. I wasn’t super thrilled about either DeAndre Hunter or Cam Reddish coming out of college, but they will be nice fits around Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. Atlanta surprised me last year when I expected them to be the worst team in the league and this year I think they will surprise a lot more people by challenging for a playoff spot.
Kevin: Over
The Hawks can’t defend at all. But can they score? Most definitely, and I think Trae Young is going to have an awesome year with several matches with lengthy highlights, I personally love the kid and I think he is going to be an All-Star this year or next.
Chicago Bulls
Over/Under = 34.5
Wins Last Season: 22
Kevin: Over
They have so many awesome players that will help them compete but they will unfortunately be short of making the play-offs. Zach LaVine will be my favorite for MIP, Lauri Markkanen will have a bounce back year and I also believe that Thaddeus Young will add much needed defensive prowess too. Over, but just that I’m afraid.
Mathias: Over
Zach LaVine for MIP. Let’s do it. The Bulls have a core of exciting young players and even though I don’t think they have found their future PG, even with drafting Coby White, I think they have enough talent across the board to make a leap this season. The Finnisher Lauri Markkanen is great, Wendell Carter complements him well, while new additions Thad Young and Tomas Satoransky will do a world of good for this young team.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Over/Under = 32.5
Wins Last Season: 49
Mathias: Under
Westbrook was the lifeblood of Oklahoma City and now he’s gone. The end of an era. While OKC got a nice blue chip prospect back in Shai Gilgeous Alexander and picks and pick swaps that will be valuable in the future, so the franchise is still in good hands with Sam Presti, but it will take a while. Better to tank while you can and get some more nice building blocks.
Kevin: Under
Hahahahahahahahha. Under.
Phoenix Suns
Over/Under = 29.5
Wins Last Season: 19
Kevin: Over
Ricky Rubio alone will elevate the Phoenix Suns. I think Devin Booker and Rubio could do a lot of damage together. Ricky Rubio also brings much needed experience and leadership to this otherwise youthful roster. Could be a more fun year for Suns fans.
Mathias: Under
I like the additions of my guy Ricky Rubio and new coach Monty Williams will help them out, but they just don’t have enough around Devin Booker to help him build a winning team. He’s gonna be wanting away pretty soon and the Suns have a lot to fix. Like many others, I was perplexed by their draft and I can’t see them improving by 10 wins, even though they will do better than the measly 19 wins they got a season ago.
Washington Wizards
Over/Under = 26.5
Wins Last Season: 32
Mathias: Under
Bradley Beal surprisingly pledged his future with the Wizards, which is basically the only good news they’ve had for a while. Wall is still out and Hachimura is very raw, so the Wizards are better served tanking for a year and get a good draft pick.
Kevin: Under
Wizards are a Bradley Beal injury away from having an automatic L per game. John Wall is injured and it will take time until he comes back. You can argue that Bradley Beal will be fine as he played 82 games in back to back years in the last two, but you just know he won’t be that lucky. Sorry Wizards fans, Under.
Memphis Grizzlies
Over/Under = 26.5
Wins Last Season: 33
Kevin: Under
Rebuild season, but you got some cool players with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Enjoy watching some highlight reel stuff this year, but don’t expect many wins.
Mathias: Under
A franchise with a great future with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, who I both had as booms coming into the NBA. Looking forward to see what Tyus Jones can do here too and they have nice veterans like Jonas Valanciunas, Jae Crowder, Kyle Anderson and the main man Isaiah Thomas who can provide some wins. Still, it’s a rebuilding year and those veterans will be found in other uniforms before the trade deadline hits.
New York Knicks
Over/Under = 26.5
Wins Last Season: 17
Mathias: Under
Oh the Knicks.. Will they ever catch a break? They lost their franchise player in Porzingis and replaced him with like 5 PFs. I like most of them, especially Randle who can become a star himself and of course the best teammate of all time Taj Gibson, but this roster doesn’t make any sense. Rooting for Dennis Smith and Frank Ntilikina to break out tho. Some fun players to watch in MSG at least.
Kevin (Knicks Fan): Under
We fucking suck. Our board fucking sucks. Our president sucks. EVERYTHING SUCKS. We will never catch a break. I love what I’ve seen from Maple Mamba and think he could break out this year and give Zion a run for his money. Seems like a longshot but I think we got someone to give some competition, especially once he gets over the Rookie hump. I also think Frank Ntilikina could have a massive year because I know we are planning on activating his option. Come on guys, I know I picked Under but surprise me with a run and Julius Randle making the All-Star team. Knicks till I die. LET’S GO, BABY!
Cleveland Cavaliers
Over/Under = 24.5
Wins Last Season: 22
Kevin: Over
I am not sold on Darius Garland. That’s a lie and we know it. He is awesome and very similar to Damian Lillard. I also think that Collin Sexton should have a big year and the returning Kevin Love automatically adds great offence and defense plus more W’s in the win column. Going to be a more fun year, but short of anything spectacular, Cavaliers fans!
Mathias: Over
Darius. Garland. ROTY? I love that kid and his play in pre-season makes me even more confident he will be a boom in this league. Kinda awkward fit with Collin Sexton, but they’ll work that out later. Kevin Love should be back healthy and provide some wins before he likely gets traded, but the Cavs have a new franchise player now in Garland and that will lead them to more than 24.5 wins this season.