Picking every NBA over/under win total
By Brad Rowland
Oklahoma City Thunder – Over/Under 56.5 wins
We’ve tackled a few teams that I’ve advised handicappers to run away from, but the Thunder are the biggest example of that. The uncertainty surrounding Kevin Durant makes Oklahoma City a team that no smart money should flow toward, as we saw what happens when Durant misses extended time in 2014-2015.
On the flip side, though, Oklahoma City might have the most talented roster in the league, and if Durant is healthy, they are more than capable of 60-plus wins. Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka are tremendous, the Thunder have an overabundance of big men (Steven Adams, Mitch McGary, Enes Kanter, Nick Collison) and Billy Donovan can’t be a downgrade from Scott Brooks when you examine on-court tactics.
I like Oklahoma City in the upper-50’s as a projection, but too much could change here for me to recommend an investment.
The Pick: Over (58-24)
Orlando Magic – Over/Under 33.5 wins
Scott Skiles was an… interesting hire.
If we take his past into account, Skiles’ team should make a big leap, especially on defense, in his first season before he flames out spectacularly after year two. I do expect some real improvement from Orlando in 2015-2016, but given that the defense hasn’t been the problem and Skiles doesn’t scream out to me as a developmental coach, the move is perplexing.
The roster is fun, with guys like Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon and super-confident rookie Mario Hezonja, but the only player we know is above-average is Oladipo. Up front, the combination of Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris and Channing Frye makes for fun offense, but there is no rim protection to be found, and losing Kyle O’Quinn to the Knicks could be an underrated departure.
There are guys I really enjoy, but why are the Magic supposed to jump into the mid-30’s without a major acquisition? I don’t see it.
The Pick: Under (28-54)
Next: 76ers and Suns