Post#35 » by rand » Fri Jul 19, 2024 2:55 pm
East:
BOS 58.5 - Over. Hard to see them rating to be worse than last season relative to the league by 7+ games.
NYK 53.5 - Over. With a positive run of health, Knicks could get the #1 seed.
PHI 52.5 - Under. Massive injury and age risk.
MIL 50.5 - Under. Bucks should be much better than the 17-19 under Doc last season but not enough to get 51 wins.
CLE 47.5 - Over. Same squad had negative injury luck last season and they still won 48.
ORL 47.5 - Over. Paolo should take a step forward. KCP is a big add. Will break 50 wins with positive injury luck.
IND 46.5 - Even. 46.5 sounds about right.
MIA 44.5 - Over. On paper at least. If Jimmy is traded or is not traded but wants out, Heat will fall short of 45 wins.
ATL 35.5 - Over. With Dejounte gone their floor balance will be much better so long as Trae is healthier than last season.
CHI 30.5 - Under. Whatever his limitations, DeRozan was the Bulls' rock. Losing Caruso hurts bad too.
TOR 30.5 - Under. Bottom-10 talented team with no roster improvement from last season.
CHA 29.5 - Over. Hornets need progression from their young guys individually and as an integrated unit but I like their talent.
DET 24.5 - Under. Should be marginally improved with more vets in the lineup but they are talent poor especially at the top.
WAS 22.5 - Under. The most talent poor team in the league should be looking to the 2025 lotter.
BK 19.5 - Even. Nets will be bottom-5 but 20 is such a low number.
West:
OKC 55.5 - Over. OKC won 57 last season and can expect progression from Holmgren or Williams. Plus Caruso is an impact add.
DEN 52.5 - Under. 50-52 range sounds right. KCP was a key in their rotation.
MIN 52.5 - Over. Don't see how MIN could rate to lose 4 more games next season with the same squad.
DAL 50.5 - Over. A solid frontcourt has made the difference for the Mavs being a 50+ win team.
MEM 47.5 - Over. Finally healthy, Grizz have the deepest rotation in the NBA.
PHO 46.5 - Over. High injury risk but the top-6 of their rotation is excellent together.
SAC 46.5 - Under. DeRozan won't move the needle as the 3rd option on offense.
NOP 45.5 - Under. Not impressed with swapping JV and Naji for Dejounte. Zion rates to play fewer than last season's 70 games.
LAL 44.5 - Over. LeBron still has it for at least one more season.
HOU 42.5 - Even. 42.5 sounds about right, marginal improvement over last season due to progression.
LAC 40.5 - Under. Loss of PG and massive injury risks in Harden and especially Kawhi.
SAS 35.5 - Even. A 13.5 game improvement from Wemby progression and stabilizing vets in CP3 and Barnes sounds right.
UTA 28.5 - Under. Jazz will sell Lowry and tank because Ainge is smart.
POR 21.5 - Over. Blazers will win over 21 but is very likely to end up 14th in the West.