posted October 27, 2009 at 17:40 EST in NBA Props
NBA Regular Season Wins Future - Western Conference
by Charles Jay
NBA Basketball Futures Betting
HANDICAPPING REGULAR SEASON WINS
BetUS Sportsbook Odds
Regular Season Wins - NBA Teams
Over 48½ Wins -125
Under 48½ Wins -105
-- There is something about the Mavs that bothers me. Actually, it's probably the same thing that has held this team back every year, even the one where they went to the NBA Finals (and lost to Shaq's Miami Heat), which is the lack of a two-way big man, or even someone who they can go with for 40 minutes a game. This is a crowded field in the West, and Dallas hasn't broken through as one of the teams that really sticks out. UNDER 48.5 (-105) ***
Over 52½ Wins -115
Under 52½ Wins -115
-- Denver has a nice home court edge and can get into these patterns where they get super-hot. As long as they have Chauncey Billups running the show, this team will be the most formidable, by a margin, in their division. OVER 52.5 (-115) **
Over 34½ Wins -115
Under 34½ Wins -115
-- There is the potential for big-time collapse here. That means fighting among players, no passing of the ball (except by Stephen Curry), and maybe even a resignation by Don Nelson. UNDER 34.5 (-115) ***
Over 36½ Wins -120
Under 36½ Wins -110
-- I look at the Rockets as a team that has been able to overcome injuries in the last couple of years. Remember that their very long winning streak from a couple of seasons ago was accomplished largely without Yao Ming. Now they are without Yao and Tracy McGrady, and they played inspired ball for the most part under those circumstances against the Lakers in last year's playoffs. Rick Adelman is one of the most resourceful coaches in the game, and he will find a way to be competitive. I think this is a pretty good play. OVER 36.5 (-120) ****
Over 34½ Wins -115
Under 34½ Wins -115
-- You'd figure that a team with the kind of talent they have would be able to do better than this, right? Well now that Blake Griffin is out for the first 6 weeks at least, sucking all the hype out of the Clipper balloon, they go under this total. UNDER 34.5 (-115) *
Over 62½ Wins -115
Under 62½ Wins -115
-- This is the way I feel about the Lakers - I think they could be right around this number; not well above it but many 7-8 wins below it. Not much has to go wrong for that to happen. It could be some dissension caused by Ron Artest. It could be another injury to Andrew Bynum. It could be complacency. It could be that the Lakers have the division wrapped up so easily (and/or the home court in the playoffs) that they get a little lax. UNDER 62 1/2 (-115) *
Over 27½ Wins -115
Under 27½ Wins -115
-- There is a good young nucleus, but they have added Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph. Iverson does not want to come off the bench, which means maybe they'll retard the development of point guard Mike Conley. Randolph is strictly a "me" guy. Didn’t this team fire all its scouts? Somehow I'm just not smelling a success story here. UNDER 27.5 (-115) **
Over 26½ Wins -110
Under 26½ Wins -120
-- The Wolves, who want to go up-tempo, have a strong paint presence in Al Jefferson, a guy who can rebound and throw outlet passes in Kevin Love, and two quality point guards. Things are getting better. OVER 26.5 (-110) ***
Over 46½ Wins -115
Under 46½ Wins -115
-- This is a tough number, because Chris Paul is the kind of guy who can take a team on his back. They're starting two players who are averaging slightly over four points a game. UNDER 46.5 (-115) **
Over 34½ Wins -115
Under 34½ Wins -115
-- They've got a nice young nucleus in Oklahoma City, and a coach who seems to get the best out of them. I don't think they are ready to exceed this number just yet, though. UNDER 34.5 (-115) **
Over 40½ Wins -120
Under 40½ Wins -110
-- This team will look a little more like the old Suns in terms of their up-tempo style. They'll probably once again be slightly over the .500 mark and wind up 9th in a conference where eight teams make the post-season. OVER 40.5 (-120) *
Over 53½ Wins -115
Under 53½ Wins -115
-- Well, Portland is one of those teams that has been emerging in the West, and because they have a deep rotation they aren't hurt as badly by the absence of any one player (except in the case of Brandon Roy). There's an upside here, if center Greg Oden can improve his level of play in this, his second full season as a pro (remember, he missed his rookie year with an injury). OVER 53.5 (-115) *
Over 23½ Wins -110
Under 23½ Wins -120
-- The backcourt of Tyreke Evans and Kevin Martin could work out. Spencer Hawes is a center who is developing nicely. Jason Thompson should make strides as a second-year man. It's not too much to ask, is it? OVER 23.5 (-110) *
Over 54½ Wins -115
Under 54½ Wins -115
-- There's a little bit of built-in angst here because in the past the Spurs have sacrificed regular season wins for the sake of ramping up for a playoff run, and that approach has been successful. However, with all the support players they have alongside their "Big Three" this is a team that will maintain its standard of excellence. OVER 54.5 (-115) ***
Over 49½ Wins -125
Under 49½ Wins -105
-- Jerry Sloan, in his 22nd year as head coach with this franchise, has exceeded this total only twice in the last eight seasons. However, now he'll have Deron Williams from the jump, and if he figures out a way to get both Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap enough minutes, he can have one of his better seasons, because guys like CJ Miles and Ronnie Brewer know their roles and play them well. OVER 49.5 (-125 ) **
