Eastern 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 complement of 72 games being played for all teams.
*did not play in the Orlando Bubble
Atlanta Hawks
2020 Record: 20-47*
In 2020, the Hawks with the emergence of Trae Young were meant to take a leap last year but it all went pear shaped when fellow young star John Collins was suspended for a quarter of the season for illegal drug use. Not to mention a trade for Clint Capella that saw the Center sitting on the sidelines for the rest of the season. The poor record and cap space prompted the organization to get the check book out and signed some much needed veterans in Rajon Rondo, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari to lift their young core to a hopeful playoff birth.
Wins: 34.5
Prediction: Over
Boston Celtics
2020 Record: 48-24
The Celtics again got close in reaching the conference finals but were out-classed and out-hustled by a more determined Miami Heat team. Not overly active in Free Agency, Boston are trusting their young stars in Tatum, Brown and Smart to improve to another level while hoping 19/20 big signing Kemba Walker keeps out of the sick bay.
Wins: 44.5
Prediction: Over
Brooklyn Nets
2020 Record: 35-37
Forget last season, the Nets are primed and ready to make a big splash in the East with Kevin Durant back. Although rumors are swirling about James Harden’s possible landing spot and what would need to be given up to satisfy a trade, their current roster and injury status, Brooklyn could be the team to come out of the East.
Wins: 45.5
Prediction: Over
Charlotte Hornets
2020 Record: 23-42*
The Hornets overachieved last season and just missed out on a spot in the bubble. They did unearth some talent in Devonte Graham and PJ Washington while also securing Gordan Hayward in free agency and LaMelo Ball in the draft. With teams now aware of their emerging players, the scouting report by oppositions will be a lot tighter.
Wins: 26.5
Prediction: Under
Chicago Bulls
2020 Record: 22-43*
The Bulls cleaned out the front office from top to bottom while not really toying with the roster. Often referred to as the Midfiled’s ‘stay away’ team, we feel not much culturally will improve their performance just yet while learning a new system under head coach Billy Donovan. However, Coby White looks to have been given the keys at the starting point guard job which could move the needle.
Wins: 28.5
Prediction: Under
Cleveland Cavaliers
2020 Record: 19-46*
The Cavs ended 2020 with the worst record in the East. Made a deadline trade for Andre Drummond in a league where the old fashioned center is slowly becoming obsolete. He along with Kevin Love will continue to cash in their checks this year while Cleveland will look to fast track their young core in Sexton, Garland and Okoro for bigger things… for the future.
Wins: 22.5
Prediction: Under
Detroit Pistons
2020 Record: 20-46*
Surprisingly, the most news out of Detroit has been the signing and waiving of LiAngelo Ball. Blake Griffin looks to be able to move again after what looks to be an annual thing with knee surgery. Some possible reaches in free agency in signing Plumlee, Delon Wright and bubble star Jerami Grant. The Pistons could surprise a few and possibly mimic the 19/20 Hornets by overachieving.
Wins: 23.5
Prediction: Over
Indiana Pacers
2020 Record: 45-28
The Pacers had a successful 19/20 season prior to heading to the bubble where they were swept in the first round by the eventual finalist in the Heat. The only change in the offseason was hiring new coach Nate Bjorkgren while also navigating through some of the negative headlines about their star Victor Oladipo wanting to join other opponent’s rosters. With or without Oladipo, Indiana was able to get over the 40 win mark.
Wins: 37.5
Prediction: Over
Miami Heat
2020 Record: 44-29
The Cinderella story of last season/bubble. Who knows what could have happened if Dragic and Adebayo were fit for the entire series against the Lakers which also puts a question mark on their depth. But anyway, the Heat arrived and will look to only improve and last season.
Wins: 43.5
Prediction: Over
Milwaukee Bucks
2020 Record: 56-17
The fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo re-signed with the Bucks this week for the max extension basically erases any of the poor performance in the bubble and free agency signing mistakes. Jrue Holiday will be running the point after coming in for Eric Bledsoe but the story this upcoming season will be and always be about the Greek Freak in Giannis. Can he get a third straight MVP? If he works on his 3pt range, he will be near impossible to stop.
Wins: 50.5
Prediction: Over
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[restrict]New York Knicks
2020 Record: 21-45*
Sometimes you just forget the Knicks are still in the league with the little relevance they have. Made some free agency signings that were nothing to write home about. Drafted Obi Toppin to add to their crazy roster made up of guards who are yet to make an impact in the NBA.
Wins: 21.5
Prediction: Under
Orlando Magic
2020 Record: 33-40
The Magic possibly hit their peak two years ago winning 42 games. A stagnant roster could spell some trade rumors and rebuild talk with Aaron Gordon the first to be likely sacrificed. Secured Cole Anthony in the draft but will probably just be there abouts in 20/21, likely lottery bound.
Wins: 30.5
Prediction: Under
Philadelphia 76ers
2020 Record: 43-30
The first big moves the 76ers made in the offseason were signing a new head coach in Doc Rivers and GM extraordinaire Daryl Morey. Not long after, the latter went to work by trading away Al Horford while bringing in veteran shooters in Seth Curry and Danny Green to power Philly for much needed outside scoring to complement franchise pillars in Simmons and Embiid. Another team involved in the Harden sweepstakes were its possible Simmons would be going out the door if a trade is successful.
Wins: 42.5
Prediction: Over
Toronto Raptors
2020 Record: 53-19
Now the Tampa Bay Raptors as the team will be based out of Florida while Covid attacks the borders. The Raptors have a knack of surprising any doubters but could the losses of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka to the West be too much experience to backfill. Taking the struggles they experienced in the bubble, Toronto may be ready to slide.
Wins: 42.5
Prediction: Under
Washington Wizards
2020 Record: 25-47
Made headlines in the offseason for pulling the like for like, Westbrook for Wall trade with outsiders concluding not much will change with the point guard swap. However, the last time Westbrook was running a team in OKC, they managed to win 49 games in the West. Pair him up with Bradley Beal….. things could be looking up.
Wins: 33.5
Prediction: Over
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