Best NBA Win Total Bets to Make in Atlantic Division
By Reed Wallach
The 2021-2022 NBA season is just one week away, and the team at BetSided is here to get you set with a total predictions for each team and best bets in the Futures market.
Here are three of our team's best bets for the Atlantic Division win totals, with odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook!
Boston Celtics UNDER 45.5 Wins (+100)
Few teams in the NBA will look as different when the season opens up next week than the Boston Celtics. Brad Stevens will no longer be the team's head coach, and in steps Ime Udoka.
They also parted ways with Kemba Walker, Tristan Thompson, and Evan Fournier.
The Celtics success this season comes down to, in my opinion, the play of new acquisition Denis Schroder. Schroder gambled on himself with a one year contract with the Lakers last season, and the dice roll came up snake eyes. He'll have a chance to redeem himself as the Celtics starting point guard, but they could be in trouble if he struggles like he did with the Lakers.
I don't believe we'll see the OKC version of Schroder this year, and it'll be hard for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to thrive without a competent point guard. I'll take the UNDER on 45.5 wins for the Celtics. -- Iain McMillian
New York Knicks OVER 41.5 Wins (-110)
I know this is going to sound like some bias, but how are the Knicks a pick’em to finish .500 this season?
New York shocked a lot of people by going 41-31 in the 2020-21 season, earning the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. There is going to be some regression, but with the NBA back on an 82-game schedule, the Knicks should flirt with 44-45 wins this season. New York upgraded their offense with Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier and brought back Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks from last year’s squad.
Mitchell Robinson will return at some point this season from a broken foot, and RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin are all improving as young rotation players. Barrett nearly averaged 18.0 points per game last season. While oddsmakers may be adjusting for a step back from Julius Randle, the Knicks are much more well-equipped to replace some of his offensive production this season. This one is a no-brainer for me at -110. Knicks go over. -- Peter Dewey
Philadelphia 76ers UNDER 50.5 (-112)
There’s too much going on with the Philadelphia 76ers. Ben Simmons reportedly arrived in Philadelphia and took a COVID-19 test, signaling a return to the team.
However, this summer was filled with so much turmoil that I don’t see this working out for them. The Sixers are one Joel Embiid bad landing away from being down and out. Simmons’ fit with Embiid is less than ideal, but their defensive chemistry makes up for it.
I don’t think it will lead them to a No. 1 seed like it did last season. The rest of the Eastern conference improved and the Sixers took a step back by not having their top two players on the same page. Once they get on the court, I expect the already suspect fit to look a little more awkward due to the off-the-court issues. For that reason, I’m going to take the under on the 76ers this season. -- Donnavan Smoot
Philadelphia 76ers UNDER 50.5 Wins (-112)
The number one offseason plan for the Philadelphia 76ers was to shop Ben Simmons.
When nobody would take him, their new plan is to pretend to welcome him back with open arms?
I'm not buying it for a second.
The Sixers are due for regression this year regardless of whether Simmons is back. Despite finishing with the top record in the East, they ranked top 10 in three-point percentage last year, but were bottom 10 in actually three-pointers made. They were a top 3 defensive team, but Simmons played a key role in their success on that side of the ball.
Even in an 82 game season, 50.5 feels a tad bit aggressive for a team still trying to establish their identity, as well as a competitive roster to make a deep playoff run. I'm sprinting to bet the under. -- Ben Heisler
Toronto Raptors OVER 35.5 Wins (-116)
The Raptors lost Kyle Lowry, but bring back a host of talent in Fred Van Vleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby. I also am a firm believer in elite coach Nick Nurse, who can utilize the dearth of defensive minded players to will out wins over the slog of the regular season.
The team has solid complimentary players namely in plus scorers with Goran Dragic and Gary Trenr Jr, as well as rangy defenders Chris Boucher, and rookie Scottie Barnes. While some are pegging the Raptors to be a team that begins a rebuild this season, that doesn't appear to be Masai Ujiri's stance.
Don't forget that the Raps played in Tampa Bay last season, they will be home for the first time in a year-and-a-half in front of a typically wild home crowd. I'm boosting them a few wins with and think they can make a run for the play-in game. -- Reed Wallach