2017/18 – Over/Under Team Predictions
With the season just around the corner, we take a look at some value in the Regular Season win/loss tallies.
Player movements have been the big news this off-season where the West has become a Super League within its self. Lets not forget the Rookie class and the impacts they will have to some cellar dweller teams.
Get in quick before tip off.
Atlanta Hawks
Last Season: 43-29
Target: 26.5
Prediction: UNDER
A year and a half ago their line-up consisted on Horford, Millsap, Korver and Teague who all became All-Stars. Will be one of many teams on the tank train with no household names to write home about.
Boston Celtics
Last Season: 53-29
Target: 55.5
Prediction: OVER
A big offseason for Ainge where he hit a few home runs with player movement. Shipping out fan favorite Thomas and fellow cast Crowder and Bradley while adding Irving, Haywood and Tatum (no.3 pick), 3 more wins looks enticing in a weakened East.
Brooklyn Nets
Last Season: 20-62
Target: 28
Prediction: UNDER
The Nets have improved their line up with Russell and Crabbe but have lost match winner Lopez. No incentive to tank wont make much of a difference with this young core. 8 more wins will be a big ask. Might be another long year.
Charlotte Hornets
Last Season: 36-46
Target: 42.5
Prediction: UNDER (Just)
The injury to Batum has lowered expectations for the Hornets. In adding Dwight Howard and rookie Malik Monk, things could go right for MJ’s boys if the locker room remains focus.
Chicago Bulls
Last Season: 41-41
Target: 22.5
Prediction: UNDER
The Bulls have shipped off Rose, Noah, Butler and Wade in just over 365 days while Coach Hoiberg still has a job. Injuries to Dunn and LaVine will only make Chicago the new easy beats of 17/18. Brooklyn last year won 20 games with their lineup. Can’t see Chicago getting close.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Season: 51-31
Target: 54.5
Prediction: OVER
Super friends take 2. Speculation on LeBron leaving “The Land” was at fever pitch in the offseason with Kyrie making the first move to get out of town. That didn’t stop the Cavs adding some stars of the past in Rose, Wade and Green. Throw in Crowder and a fit Thomas, still the team to beat in the East.
Dallas Mavericks
Last Season: 33-49
Target: 34.5
Prediction: UNDER
In a stacked West, the Mavs will find themselves along with Memphis in no man’s land. Not good enough to make playoffs while not bad enough to tank. First two months will decide which direction Cuban wants to go.
Denver Nuggets
Last Season: 40-42
Target: 44.5
Prediction: OVER (Just)
The addition of Millsap, emergence of Jokic and roster depth makes us confident the Nuggets can make up 5 more wins and cause some upsets against contenders with their high-altitude advantage.
Detroit Pistons
Last Season: 37-45
Target: 39.5
Prediction: UNDER
Seriously struggling to find out how this line-up will win an additional 3 games. Drummond will have to re-invent himself as he became more of a liability on the court as the season went on last year. Marcus Morris leaving for Avery Bradley will cancel each other out in the long run. KCP gone too.
Golden State Warriors
Last Season: 67-15
Target: 67.5
Prediction: UNDER (Just)
Nothing concrete here with our prediction. Could injuries or the stacked West be a factor? Maybe, but will be amazing if the Warriors can go four seasons straight with 67+ wins.
Houston Rockets
Last Season: 55-27
Target: 56.5
Prediction: OVER
The Rockets played their hand early with the Chris Paul trade. Add in PJ Tucker and we have a solid opponent for the Warriors. Just need another ball on the court to share around.
Indiana Pacers
Last Season: 42-40
Target: 31.5
Prediction: OVER (Just)
The Pacers will have stiff opposition in the East if they decide to tank. With Franchise Star Paul George demanding a move, the Pacers were able to get back Oladipo as a consolation. Do have enough talent to get the wins but is a major risk.
Los Angeles Clippers
Last Season: 51-31
Target: 44.5
Prediction: OVER
Love this one. Cashed in on the Chris Paul trade and received some much-needed depth in return. Gallinari could be the SF they have been looking for with the guard position stacked with Beverley, Lou Williams and Rivers.
Los Angeles Lakers
Last Season: 26-56
Target: 32.5
Prediction: UNDER (Just)
The Lakers are preparing for the next summer of free agency love but if you think Ball, Lopez, KCP and Kuzma can make up 7 more wins than last year, worth a punt. In comparison, they will need to have a similar season to Dallas last year.
Memphis Grizzlies
Last Season: 43-39
Target: 37.5
Prediction: UNDER
Could be curtains for Memphis this season with Denver, Portland and Minnesota looking to make the jump. If things don’t go to plan by midway, a Gasol trade could be on the tables, just not for Kwame this time.
Miami Heat
Last Season: 41-41
Target: 42.5
Prediction: OVER
Lucked out last season with a massive run for a post season spot cut short with injuries. A healthy Dragic and Waiters will give the Heat a much better start of the year. And they are in the East.
Milwaukee Bucks
Last Season: 42-40
Target: 47.5
Prediction: UNDER
This all hangs on the “Greek Freak” making the jump to top 5 in the league. We all see it but not ready to lock the Bucks in as a 50-win side.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Season: 31-51
Target: 48.5
Prediction: UNDER
The Wolves fooled us last season and in adding Butler, Teague and Gibson doesn’t leave us thinking they will all of a sudden become a 50-win side, especially in the West.
New Orleans Pelicans
Last Season: 34-48
Target: 40.5
Prediction: UNDER
Not banking on a full season with Cousins and Davis together and healthy to turn this ship. In a league where small ball rules, two towers up front could be ‘so last decade’
New York Knicks
Last Season: 31-51
Target: NA
Prediction: UNDER
Since the Melo trade, we haven’t received an updated projection for the Knicks. Doesn’t look great though.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Season: 47-35
Target: 52.5
Prediction: OVER
MVP Westbrook didn’t like falling to the Warriors 0-3 so his owner got busy. Add in Melo and George as we have ourselves a contender…. If they share the ball.
Orlando Magic
Last Season: 29-53
Target: 33.5
Prediction: UNDER
Not sure where the Magic will find 5 more wins. Haven’t gotten close since Dwight Howard was traded.
Philadelphia 76ers
Last Season: 28-54
Target: 40.5
Prediction: UNDER (Just)
If Embiid can stay healthy and Simmons has a similar year to when Blake Griffin debuted than anything is possible. Still a big jump for a developing team.
Phoenix Suns
Last Season: 24-58
Target: 28.5
Prediction: UNDER
The Suns will be competing for the lottery. No incentive to win.
Portland Trailblazers
Last Season: 41-41
Target: 41.5
Prediction: OVER
Were all over the place until they made the Nurkic trade. Made a big run to make the Post season where they got swept by the Warriors. A full season with the Bosnian Bruiser will be an improvement.
Sacramento Kings
Last Season: 32-50
Target: 28.5
Prediction: UNDER
How many of last season’s wins were with Boogie? Bit of shuffling the old deck chairs work in Sacramento these days. Added veterans in Randolph, Hill and Carter but will hardly make an impact.
San Antonio Spurs
Last Season: 61-21
Target: 54.5
Prediction: OVER
One rule in basketball is to never sleep on the Spurs. Leonard may be injured but the system will still be intact.
Toronto Raptors
Last Season: 51-31
Target: 48.5
Prediction: OVER
Will be competing with the Wizards for the 3rd place prize in the East. Will be another solid year with Ibaka playing from the start. Remember the form slump they had midyear and they still got to 50 wins.
Utah Jazz
Last Season: 51-31
Target: 40.5
Prediction: UNDER
The impact of Haywood really shows and will make the biggest impact on the offensive end. The Jazz thrive when slowing the game down however we aren’t sure who will eventually score for them.
Washington Wizards
Last Season: 49-33
Target: 47.5
Prediction: OVER
Otto got paid and Beal had a career year. Just coming short of 50 wins, the Wizards will use the heartbreak of a game 7 loss to Boston as motivation to start the season with a bang. They were 2-8 in the first 10 games last season.
