Western Conference – NBA Season Wins Picks
With the season we just had and the season we are about to witness, Covid-19 has and will be a massive deciding factor for 2021 in wins, travel, suspensions (positive cases) and any postponements.
Our views will be agnostic to any of these influences while concentrating on a full compliment of 72 games being played for all teams.
*did not play in the Orlando Bubble
Dallas Mavericks
2020 Record: 43-32
It was the Luka show last season which has started the whispers for him being a possible MVP candidate. The only issue will be the health of his running mate Kristaps Porzingis who will miss the first month of the year with a knee injury. In a stacked West where teams like Portland and Phoenix are on the up, it could be a strain for Luka to willing his team to wins while Porzingis could be on the sidelines at any moment.
Wins: 42.5
Prediction: Under
Denver Nuggets
2020 Record: 46-27
The Nuggets got close to the Championship round last season, going down to the eventual champs in the Lakers 4-1. What the bubble did unlock was the breakout of Jamaal Murray who put up massive numbers and along with MVP candidate, Nikola Jokic, made headlines in a good way by dismantling the LA Clippers being 3-1 down. Things are on the up in Denver and should look to improve again.
Wins: 44.5
Prediction: Over
Golden State Warriors
2020 Record: 15-50*
Entered this upcoming season which terrible news in Klay Thompson set to miss the year with an Achilles injury. Were able to secure Kelly Oubre Jr in a trade and James Wiseman in the draft, it will take almost an MVP season by Steph Curry to have the Warriors break 40 wins in a loaded West. Taking injuries into effect, think the under is the sensible prediction.
Wins: 38.5
Prediction: Under
Houston Rockets
2020 Record: 44-28
The projection is all on the proviso that James Harden will be traded for a star player…. for instance, say Ben Simmons, because that is Houston’s asking price (in a star player) which is fair enough. If he is traded for young stars and future picks, expect the Under as a lock. Not much else to say here as it all rides on Harden and the pieces in return if a trade eventuates.
Wins: 35.5
Prediction: Over
Los Angeles Clippers
2020 Record: 49-23
The LA Chokers they were labelled after another post-season early exit to the Nuggets while leading the series 3-1. They shipped out head coach Doc Rivers and added some experience in Ibaka and Batum as a Western Conference Finals matchup between the Lakers looms. Not so favourable reports of locker room special treatment hasn’t been great for the optics but expect Leonard and George to strive for redemption this season.
Wins: 47.5
Prediction: Over
Los Angeles Lakers
2020 Record: 52-19
Its been a long time since a defending Champ has made multiple offseason moves that actually improved their roster dramatically which had pundits rating them the winner of Free Agency. The lineup was heavily carried by league pensioner LeBron James and MVP fav Anthony Davis. When they weren’t on the court, the Lakers struggled. However, that dynamic has all changed. Shipping out Danny Green, Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo gave them the flexibility to secure Montrezl Harrel (6th man winner), Dennis Schroder (6th man runner-up) and Marc Gasol. This provides LA the flexibility to rest their Superstars with having adequate talent and depth to cover periods and nights off.
Wins: 48.5
Prediction: Over
Memphis Grizzlies
2020 Record: 34-39
The Grizzlies shocked us all last season while just missing out for the 8th seed in the West by losing the play-in game to the Trail Blazers. It was on the back of Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, although the teams around them on the standings getting better, the improvement will have to come from within their young core which could see them have a stagnant year.
Wins: 31.5
Prediction: Under
Minnesota Timberwolves
2020 Record: 19-45*
It could be a worrying season for the Timberwolves who have been in the irrelevant bucket for some time. Even though they secured the number 1 pick and drafted Anthony Edwards, we are yet to see if the combination or Russell and Towns is going to be a success. Unfortunately, Towns has had a terrible offseason with personal tragedy involving Covid-19 which we feel for and hope he pulls through.
Wins: 29.5
Prediction: Under
New Orleans Pelicans
2020 Record: 30-42
The Pelicans went through some massive highs in drafting Zion Williamson as the number 1 pick and then dramatic lows with Zion missing the first 3 months of the season with a knee injury. New Orleans began the season 1-7 but managed to get a spot in the bubble when Zion returned and Brandon Ingram reached career highs which earnt him the Most Improved Player Award. Could they win another 5 more games? On talent alone… yes. But would really depend on the new additions in Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe covering the holes Derrick Favors and Jrue Holiday have left.
Wins: 34.5
Prediction: Under
Oklahoma City Thunder
2020 Record: 44-28
With Paul, Adams and Gallinari out the door and a boatload of future picks coming back in to add to the chest, the Thunder are in full rebuild mode. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now the Franchise player while the recruiters did a fair job in bringing in veteran support in Horford, Rubio and Ariza. Definitely could surprise a few and shouldnt expect a 25 win drop from the previous season.
Wins: 21.5
Prediction: Over
Phoenix Suns
2020 Record: 34-39
The Suns 2020 record was inflated with an 8-0 record in the bubble putting them to 34 wins. This forced the brass to make some big moves to capitalize on the roster and momentum and acquired Chris Paul. Lets not forget emerging big man De’Andre Ayton missed the first 6 weeks of the season due to violating the league’s drug code. Chris Paul generally makes teams better so could possibly see a return to the playoffs for Phoenix.
Wins: 37.5
Prediction: Over
Portland Trail Blazers
2020 Record: 35-39
The Blazers fell into a hole at the start of season 2020 and basically had to play catch up from January onwards which worked out for them in the bubble, earning the 8th seed in the play-in game against the Grizzlies. Including Lillard’s impressive year averaging +30 points per game, some had them touted to upset the Lakers in the first round. Nurkic has gotten over his gruesome leg injury while they added Covington to the starting Small Forward position, Portland are on the up.
Wins: 39.5
Prediction: Over
[restrict]Sacramento Kings
2020 Record: 31-41*
The Kings only move over the offseason was extending their now franchise player, De’Aaron Fox to the Max while other teams around them in the Standings like the Pelicans and Suns got better. This spells another down year for the Pacific Division black sheep. Rumblings continue between coach Walton and Buddy Hield on playing time is only going to make the locker room toxic.
Wins: 27.5
Prediction: Under
San Antonio Spurs
2020 Record: 32-39
Similar to the Kings, the Spurs didn’t improve their roster either while 3/5’s of their starting lineup are definitely well pasted their peak in DeRozan, Aldridge and Gay. Expect a trade deadline blowup to secure picks some picks for the rebuild.
Wins: 29.5
Prediction: Under
Utah Jazz
2020 Record: 44-28
Utah have for years now been a consistent +44 win team which is heavily on the back of stalwarts Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, even though the latter is becoming a superstar in his own right. To expect them to drop would be a shock where its more likely to trigger a trade than anything. Last season they did start the year slow with new additions Conley and Bogdanovic finding their feet, the wheels would really have to come off for them to drop below 40 wins, which hasn’t occurred since the 2014/15 season.
Wins: 41.5
Prediction: Over
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