Fansided

Picking every NBA over/under win total

By Brad Rowland

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) takes the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) takes the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 16
Next
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a basket against the Toronto Raptors during the first half in a preseason game at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a basket against the Toronto Raptors during the first half in a preseason game at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons – Over/Under 35.5 wins

I firmly believe it is addition by subtraction with the loss of Greg Monroe. That isn’t a direct shot at Monroe as a player, because he’s actually quite good, but Monroe and Andre Drummond were never going to co-exist as part of a winning frontcourt, and this year’s Pistons squad fits the Stan Van Gundy mold in a much better way.

Drummond is the best player on the team, but Reggie Jackson is the guy who will make Detroit go this year. He is wildly overpaid on the heels of a new five-year contract, but Jackson can play, and with Drummond as a pick-and-roll partner, he should thrive. The biggest key for Detroit will be at the forward spots, though, as Van Gundy must extract value from the combination of Ersan Ilyasova, Marcus Morris and rookie Stanley Johnson in order to push for the eighth seed in the East. I think he can pull it off.

The Pick: Over (38-44)

Golden State Warriors – Over/Under 59.5 wins

Is it possible that the defending NBA champions could be underrated? I think so.

Steve Kerr isn’t on the sideline right now as a result of a health issue, but that doesn’t stop his imprint from taking hold on this team. The Warriors were the best defensive team in the league last season, and they finished second (to the Clippers) on offense by the slimmest of margins. In short, Golden State was really, really good in winning the title, and the Warriors lose only David Lee (who played a very small role) from last year’s team.

It is hard for me to picture a scenario in which the Warriors regress in a huge way, and given that they won 67 (!) games a year ago, this number seems low. It is fair to point out that Golden State faded the injury bug in a big way, but the addition of Jason Thompson helps up front and many anticipate a jump from Festus Ezeli.

The Warriors have the reigning MVP in Stephen Curry, the best backcourt in the league, the best defense in the league (led by a monster in Draymond Green) and one of the top coaches in the sport. I’d say that’s good for 60 wins.

The Pick: Over (62-20)

Next: Rockets and Pacers

Home/Atlanta Hawks