Quantcast
Playing the over / under win total game with the Knicks, Celtics, 76ers – Metro US
NBA

Playing the over / under win total game with the Knicks, Celtics, 76ers

Playing the over / under win total game with the Knicks, Celtics, 76ers
Getty Images

Las Vegas’ Westgate Superbookreleased its first over/under win totals for the 2016-17 NBA season this week. Some analysis as it pertains to the Celtics, Knicks and 76ers.

Celtics: 51.5 wins

My initial reaction to this one is that it’s too high. The 50 number really scares you off for a team that doesn’t have a LeBron, Durant, Westbrook or aCurry. Also consider that just six teams in the entire NBA got above 50 wins last season – the Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, Clippers, Cavaliers and Raptors. Will these Celtics be as talented as any of those teams?

On the flip side, the Celtics won 48 games last year and Brad Stevens jumped from 25 to 40 to 48 wins in his first three years in the league.

Verdict: Under. I think the Celtics come up just shy, with 50 wins.

Knicks: 38.5

The Knicks had 32 wins last season. Are they six and a half wins better this year? I’ll say, yes.

You’ve got to think that one of following pans out well: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Brandon Jennings. Beyond those “ifs,” the combo of Porzingis in his second year and the addition of a strong, newvoice in the locker room in Jeff Hornacek will help the Knicks get to at least 40 wins.

Verdict: Over.

76ers: 27.5

I get that there’s finally hope in Philly, but the Sixers won 10 (TEN!!!!) games last year. A jump of 17.5 wins with what will be a completely discombobulated big man rotation in an Eastern Conference that has 13 other teams hell-bent on making the playoffs this season? Not buying.

Seriously, looking at the entire Eastern Conference, the Nets might be the only team that would admit theyhavezero shot at the playoffs right now. In other words, the Sixers will see tough competition, night-in and night-out. No gimme games.

Verdict: Under. They double their win total from last year and get to 20, but that’s about it.