As any self-respecting basketball betting fan knows, Las Vegas released the over/under for all NBA teams with their projected win totals for the 2016-17 season. The forecasts range from realistic to far-fetched to say the least. So which ones to take and which ones to avoid on a betting sportsbook?
Shut up and take my money
Golden State Warriors, over 66.5
Winning 67 games would be almost impossible for a regular team, but what about a super team? Let’s face it; the Kevin Durant-enhanced Warriors put their pants on like the rest of us – one leg at a time. Except, once their pants are one they win championship rings. This season’s Warriors probably won’t win 70+ games like last seasons – and might not even want to – and their bench isn’t as deep either, and things might not click right away, but this team has too much sheer talent to lose too many games.
Denver Nuggets, over 34.5
Unlike the Warriors, no basketball betting fan expects the Nuggets to win championships or even make the playoffs. But they can be depended on to clear the over, which they did last season with a depleted roster. Murphy’s law would have to hit the Nuggets pretty hard for them not clear the over again this season.
Memphis Grizzlies, over 43.5
The Grizzlies won 42 games last season even though they lost Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Chandler Parsons at one point of another. A healthy Grizzlies team can win 44, but even an ailing one should not be discarded.
Philadelphia 76ers, under 27.5
The additions of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Jerryd Bayless, and Gerald Henderson notwithstanding, the Sixers are looking at 17 wins more than last season, when they were projected at 21.5 but only managed 10 Ws.
Milwaukee Bucks, under 37.5
Khris Middleton’s injury could be a blessing in disguise – not for him, of course, or for the Bucks, but for basketball betting fans. The Bucks are going to have a hard time clearing the over without their lead scorer.
Thanks but no thanks
Atlanta Hawks, over/under 43.5
Appearances can be deceiving and that’s the Hawks’ case. They lack big names and Dwight Howard may not be reliable, and they went under in their first season with Mike Budenholzer. On the other hand, they have won 108 games in two years, and have versatile players and good depth. It could easily go one way or the other.
New York Knicks, over/under 38.5
The Knicks are another examples of too many intangibles and unknown unknowns. Carmelo Anthony is leaving his prime behind but is still a point-scoring force; Kristaps Porzingis’s rookie season could have been a fluke, but then he could actually improve; Joakim Noah has been decimated by injuries, but was Defensive Player of the Year just two years ago only a couple of seasons ago; et cetera.
San Antonio Spurs, over/under 56.5
The Spurs lost Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw, and Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol are on their way downhill. But head coach Gregg Popovich can work miracles. A good case could be made either for not betting on the Spurs or for not betting against Popovich.