The oddsmakers had a lot of work to do following a blockbuster offseason and a free agency period that produced many big moves. Caesars Sportsbook created a list of all 30 NBA teams, and five of them opened with win totals greater than 50.
Vegas (Caesars) has released over/under win totals for upcoming NBA season.
Taking the over on Nets, Pistons and Knicks. pic.twitter.com/xiofPfSbQg
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) July 25, 2019
The Bucks recorded a league-best 60 victories in the 2018-19 season, and are the favorites to top the league once again. The Philadelphia 76ers are behind the Bucks in the Eastern Conference at 54.5 wins while in the West, the Utah Jazz are in the second place at 52.5, followed by the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets at 52. The Los Angeles Lakers, who recorded only 37 games last season, are currently at 51.5 wins. Despite being the favorites to win the NBA championship at +300 odds, six teams opened with higher season-win totals.
#sixers projected to win 54.5 games next season. Third most in the #nba. pic.twitter.com/Nb1DnkgVHI
— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) July 25, 2019
“I think the Clippers should be the favorite,” Caesar’s oddsmaker Alan Berg told ESPN, “but sometimes you have a better number on teams on the basis of liability, which is the case with the Lakers.
“Two of the tougher numbers to make were the Clippers and Lakers,” Berg added. “How are they going to attack the regular season? Will Kawhi play anywhere near 82 games? Will LeBron or [Anthony] Davis? Load management is likely to play into the regular season for these two squads.”
Last season’s NBA Finals participants, the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors, are at 45 and 47 wins, respectively. The Warriors went through a lot of changes during this summer as they lost Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, DeMarcus Cousins, and Shaun Livingston. They will also be without Klay Thompson for the big part of the campaign, so reaching the playoffs could be a real challenge for Steve Kerr’s side.
“The West is drastically improved with the Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, Blazers and Nuggets all looking like better teams in 2019,” Berg said. “The addition of D’Angelo Russell makes [the Warriors] a tough out night-in, night-out, but will [Stephen] Curry be able to carry this club all year with his injury history? He’s played so many games the past five years.”
Here you can see a full list of opening NBA season win totals:
Atlanta Hawks 36
Boston Celtics 49½
Brooklyn Nets 47
Charlotte Hornets 24
Chicago Bulls 30½
Cleveland Cavaliers 24
Dallas Mavericks 41
Denver Nuggets 52
Detroit Pistons 37½
Golden State Warriors 47
Houston Rockets 52
Indiana Pacers 48½
LA Clippers 55½
Los Angeles Lakers 51½
Memphis Grizzlies 25½
Miami Heat 43½
Milwaukee Bucks 57
Minnesota Timberwolves 35
New Orleans Pelicans 39
New York Knicks 27
Oklahoma City Thunder 28
Orlando Magic 40½
Philadelphia 76ers 54½
Phoenix Suns 27
Portland Trail Blazers 47½
Sacramento Kings 37
San Antonio Spurs 43½
Toronto Raptors 45
Utah Jazz 52½
Washington Wizards 28½
