As the new NBA season looms on the horizon, it’s time for sports pundits and basketball tipsters to start looking foolish by making picks for the campaign ahead. Of course, things often go awry, and your hot pick in the futures betting markets can start looking like a disaster as the season gets going.
That said, plenty of pundits like to try their hands at over/under win total for the season. There is a science to it, for sure, but it is also extremely difficult to be exact. Nonetheless, we are going to try our best to make an argument below, looking at five teams worth betting on to make – or fail to make – their projected win totals for the season.
Boston Celtics – Under 58.5
The reigning champs are steady favorites in the NBA odds to win the Finals in June, and it might seem like going against the grain to suggest that they will fall back a little from last season’s 64-18 record. Yet, last season was historically good for the Celtics, and, if anything, the Eastern Conference has gotten a little stronger ahead of this one. Added to that, the Celtics might feel they can take their foot off the gas in the regular season, prioritizing health for the Playoffs ahead of regular season wins.
Memphis Grizzlies – Over 47.5
This may prove to be slightly controversial, given the Grizzlies’ rotten campaign last season. However, the huge injury crisis and the fact that many of those players are now healthy have given hope that we will see the 2022 vintage of Memphis again this season. A lot of pundits have projected the Grizzlies to hit over 50 wins (as they did in the two previous seasons before last), so over 47.5 sounds like a fair safety net in betting terms. Of course, they are going to have to turn things around in a big way, but the expectation is that they will be competitive again.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Under 56.5
Yes, big things are expected from the Thunder this term, and we may even be talking about potential NBA champions. However, the Western Conference still feels more stacked than the Eastern Conference overall, and it would require Oklahoma to equal or surpass last season’s 57-25 to get there. Some pundits have projected 53 wins for the Thunder, which is still a young team, we should note. That feels about right, as there will be several other teams breathing down their necks across the season.
Dallas Mavericks – Over 49.5
We think the Western Conference is going to be tight at the top again, and it is, therefore, not unlikely that we see a bunch of teams on around 50 wins. As for last season’s runners-up, hitting 50 would still be a 5-win decrease from last season. The Luka Doncic-led Mavs are good, but they don’t feel like championship material. They are good enough to go comfortably into the Playoffs again, surpassing 50 wins in the process.
Sacramento Kings – Over 46.5
The Kings won 46 games last season and 48 the season before. Yet, they look stronger going into this one, and, indeed, the fact you can find them at big odds (+5000 and above) to win it all in June is not something that should be scoffed at. Stranger thins have happened in the NBA. Anyway, the Kings have taken a punt on DeMar DeRozan into the fold. Skeptics say it won’t work, but it is that kind of move that could juice this Sacramento team. Outsiders for the NBA Finals, yes, but they should be there or thereabouts again in the regular season, and we easily see this team hit 47 wins again.
