The Las Vegas Hilton released their anticipated win total lines this week. The list features a few surprises based in each franchise’s potential ahead of the 2016-17 season.
For instance we have the Utah Jazz as the fourth-best team in the West. The Minnesota Timberwolves would make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. And the Philadelphia 76ers could make a big jump in the standings if the projections are accurate.
At the top we have the Golden State Warriors, though. Steve Kerr’s team is the favorite to win it all this season, especially after signing Kevin Durant in free agency. The Dubs have their over/under at 66,5, a decent total considering they won 73 games last year. The San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers are second with 56,5 wins each.
Los Angeles Clippers (53,5) and the Boston Celtics (51,5) round out the Top Five. The Toronto Raptors (49,5), the Jazz (47,5), the Portland Trail Blazers (46,5), the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons (45,5 each) round out the Top 10.
Certainly one of the biggest surprises is the rise many bookmakers expect from the Timberwolves. Boasting one of the youngest, most talented rosters in the league, the experts feel this is the year Minnesota might breakout. They should rise from 29 to 41,5 wins. That total ranks as the eighth-best in the West. Will they make the playoffs? They certainly have enough talent to pull the upset under Tim Thibodeau’s tutelage.
On the other hand, the biggest drop belongs to the Miami Heat. The departure of Dwayne Wade didn’t sit well with bookmakers, and they have put them out of the playoffs. Their over/under is at 36,5 after winning 48 games last season.
At the bottom things haven’t changed much from last season. Even though the Philadelphia 76ers are predicted to have the biggest rise in the league going from 10 to 27,5 wins, they would still sit near the bottom of the standings. Same goes for teams like Los Angeles Lakers (24,5), the Phoenix Suns (26,5) and the Sacramento Kings (32,5).
The Brooklyn Nets are predicted to be the worst team in the league with an over/under of just 20,5. That seems like a reasonable total even if the franchise is an absolute mess.
There’s still a few days before the start of training camp, and the regular season won’t start until the end of October. But it’s never too early to start making predictions.