Fansided

NBA Odds: 5 best win totals bets

By Taylor Armosino

Sep 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (left), guard Isaiah Thomas (center) and guard Goran Dragic pose for a portrait during media day at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (left), guard Isaiah Thomas (center) and guard Goran Dragic pose for a portrait during media day at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1), guard Isaiah Thomas (3), guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and guard Tyler Ennis (4) pose for a portrait during media day at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1), guard Isaiah Thomas (3), guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and guard Tyler Ennis (4) pose for a portrait during media day at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Phoenix Suns

2013 record: 48-34

2014 projected wins: 42.5 (???)

BET THE OVER.

I really don’t understand this one at all. The Suns were the surprise team of 2013 and only got better this off-season. Isaiah Thomas was a monster pickup, and with Goran Dragic and the newly re-signed Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix has a three headed monster in the backcourt. With have just re-upped the Morris brothers on solid new contracts, the Suns core is in place and should be really good for a very long time.

The one thing that could hurt them this year is the loss of Channing Frye. Frye was incredibly important to what the Suns did on both ends of the floor, stretching the court and playing solid and underrated defense. Worst case scenario, the offense regresses from being the 8th best in the league last season and the defense gets even worse. But I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Last season, Bledsoe only played in 43 games, but the Suns were 28-15 when he played. With Dragic and Bledsoe both healthy, the Suns were 23-11. That record prorated over a full season would’ve had the Suns at 56 wins. Losing Frye hurts, but Thomas was a really nice pickup. He’ll allow them to play two point guards pretty much anytime they want and gives them insurance for Bledsoe, or Dragic, getting injured that they didn’t have last season. If coach Jeff Hornacek plays his rotation correctly, at least two of the three should be on the court for all 48 minutes a game. That’s horrifying for opposing teams.

The Suns should’ve been a playoff team last season and should be this season. They’re going to be better, especially if they can get something out of last year’s first round pick Alex Len. Phoenix’s one big weakness right now is rim protection, but if Len can give them even just 15 minutes a game of solid defense, it’d go a long way towards ensuring that the Suns win 50 games. I think they will regardless.

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