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With the season just three weeks away, the sportsbooks have started posting their win totals futures odds for NBA teams.
The odds for all teams except the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets are live. Brooklyn and Houston are rumored to be discussing a trade centered around Rockets superstar James Harden. Harden has reportedly demanded to be traded from Houston. Because of the uncertainty of that deal, these oddsmakers have yet to publish their winning totals.
Otherwise, the Bucks have the highest win total while the Lakers come in second place. The New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers have the three lowest win totals as of 12/02/2020.
Bucks Have Highest Win Total
Milwaukee has the highest win total at 50.5. The Bucks had the NBA’s best record during the previous two seasons including a 60-win season in 2019. While the Bucks have the highest total in the SportsBetting.ag odds board, it’s a little surprising to see it set that low. Milwaukee won 56 games last season and they played only 73 regular-season games due to the pandemic.
The Bucks upgraded their roster this offseason with the hopes that Giannis Antetokounmpo will sign a max extension. They traded Eric Bledsoe and got Jrue Holiday from the Pelicans. Although Milwaukee failed in their bid to sign Bogdan Bogdanovic, they have added quality pieces in D.J. Augustin, Bryn Forbes, Torrey Craig, and Bobby Portis.
With two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and all-star Khris Middleton leading the way, the Bucks are still primed to finish with the best record in the league this season. Milwaukee is also the favorite to win the Eastern Conference at +250 and has the second-best odds to win the 2021 NBA title at +600.
Lakers Come in Second
The Los Angeles Lakers come in second with a win total set at 47.5. The Lakers are the defending NBA champions and have been the busiest team in the early part of the offseason. L.A. traded Danny Green to get Dennis Schroder. They also signed Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers. Los Angeles also signed 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol and sharpshooter Wesley Matthews to boost their lineup.
Aside from Green, the Lakers also lost Rajon Rondo, Javale McGee, Avery Bradley, and Quinn Cook. However, the quality of their acquisitions makes them look even better than last season, at least on paper. The Lakers will rely on the LeBron James-Anthony Davis duo once again and with a bench led by last year’s Sixth Man of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year runner-up.
The Lakers have the target on their backs. They are the +285 betting favorite to repeat as NBA champions. They are also the odds on favorite to win the Western Conference +275 and Pacific Division at +105. But with the best superstar tandem in the league and top bench players in the business, there’s no doubt that the Lakers are going to be the team to beat in 2021.
Here are the NBA team win totals as of 12/02/2020 at BetOnline:
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Which Team Totals Have Good Betting Value?
Milwaukee Bucks
As stated earlier, it’s surprising that Milwaukee’s total is six wins fewer than its 2020 season win total considering this season will have 72 regular-season games or just one less than the Bucks played during the previous campaign. Milwaukee is trying to upgrade their team so that Giannis Antetokounmpo will not leave. They have one major acquisition in Jrue Holiday and several solid picks that will help this team get better than the previous year. I’m not sure if Milwaukee has enough tools to win the title but as far as the regular season is concerned, I think they are good for at least 55 wins. Give me the over on Milwaukee.
Prediction: Over 50.5 (-115)
Los Angeles Lakers
Like the Bucks, the Lakers’ win total is surprisingly low at 47.5. If Los Angeles finishes with just 47 wins, then they will have a winning percentage of 65.27%. That’s way too low for a team that went 52-19 or a 73.2% winning percentage last season. Sure, LA lost Rondo, McGee, Bradley, and Green but they’ve added Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol, and Wesley Matthews. On paper, the Lakers have a better team this year than their championship squad. However, chemistry may pose a problem. Despite that, they proved last year that plug and play works for as long as you have two stars named LBJ and AD.
Prediction: Over 47.5 (+100)
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns were the darling of the bubble. The Suns finished with an unbeaten 8-0 record at Walt Disney World and they barely missed the playoffs after being longshots to make the postseason before the start of the seeding games. Devin Booker emerged as a franchise superstar while Deandre Ayton proved his worth. This offseason, Phoenix added Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, and E’Twaun Moore. Phoenix won 34 games last season and after losing just Kelly Oubre while adding Cp3, Crowder, and Moore, I think the Suns are going to contend for the playoffs. 40 wins won’t be a surprise at all.
Prediction: Over 38.5 (-145)
Atlanta Hawks
In the East, the Atlanta Hawks are making good on the rumors that they plan to contend for the playoffs this coming season. The Hawks saw their rebuilding process fast-tracked with Trae Young’s accelerated development, the Hawks are ready to contend. Atlanta has added Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Solomon Hill, and Kris Dunn among others. Gallinari and Bogdanovic are the key acquisitions here. They will join Young. John Collins, DeAndre Hunter, Kevin Huerter, and Clint Capela next season. The Hawks predicted total is 34.5 wins which is a 14.5 increase from the previous season. I like the Hawks to surprise the world this season. They have done enough additions to win at least 40 games next season.
Prediction: Over 34.5 (-130)
Best Bet To Make?
The Lakers’ team total at even money is tempting and I won’t blame you if you take it. However, I think that while Los Angeles has proved that plug and play works in this league, they aren’t too concerned about winning the regular season battle. LeBron has talked about coasting during the regular season and that’s a very plausible move by the Lakers.
The team with the biggest upside this season is Phoenix. The Suns acquired Chris Paul who will be the playmaker that spells the difference this season. Paul was plugged into the OKC lineup last summer and instead of having a rebuilding season, the Thunder finished with the fifth-best record in the West. The Suns finished the bubble tournament on an all-time high and with a short break, they should be able to carry that momentum in three weeks.
Prediction: Phoenix Suns over 38.5 wins (-145)
