A few Web sites jumped the gun on setting over/under totals for the 2018-19 NBA season, but Westgate released its odds on Sunday … and these over/under win totals are considered the Bible of NBA betting.
Most curious was the Lakers’ projected win total of 48.5.
Los Angeles won only 35 games last season, but LeBron James has now taken his talents to Hollywood and will be playing for a new team when he is not engaging in Twitter wars with U.S. president Donald Trump.
The trick now for gamblers in the U.S. (where it is now legal to place an online bet) and around the world will be to find a site offering the best wagering options. This link will take you to one of the best NBA betting sites.
The Westgate over/unders included the defending champion Goilden State Warriors being listed at 62.5, which may be a bit high given the competitive inbalance that exists regarding the Western and Eastern Conferences now that James has left the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yes, the Warriors added DeMarcus Cousins. But he is out with a torn Achilles tendon, and a return date is unknown. His impact on the court and in the locker room may not be determined until February, March … or later.
James’ old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, has a projected win total of 30.5 after re-signing Kevin Love to be the anchor of the team. The Cavs went to the NBA Finals the past four seasons, but they are expected to be a middle-of-the-pack team at best during the upcoming campaign.
The highest projected win total for NBA Eastern Conference teams belong to the Boston Celtics, who came within one victory of the NBA Finals last season. The Celtics went 55-27 in 2017-18, even with star guard Kyrie Irving missing the final two months of the regular season.
The Celtics are at 57.5, followed by Philadelphia and Toronto with win totals of 54.5.
The lowest projected win total belongs to the Atlanta Hawks at 23.5.
In the Western Conference, Houston (54.5) and Oklahoma City (50.5) and the other two teams behind Golden State with an expected win total of 50 or more.
Below is the list of all 30 teams’ Westgate over/unders for win totals.
Atlanta Hawks 23.5
Boston Celtics 57.5
Brooklyn Nets 32.5
Charlotte Hornets 35.5
Chicago Bulls 27.5
Cleveland Cavaliers 30.5
Dallas Mavericks 34.5
Denver Nuggets 47.5
Detroit Pistons 37.5
Golden State Warriors 62.5
Houston Rockets 54.5
Indiana Pacers 47.5
Los Angeles Clippers 35.5
Los Angeles Lakers 48.5
Memphis Grizzlies 34.5
Miami Heat 41.5
Milwaukee Bucks 46.5
Minnesota Timberwolves 44.5
New Orleans Pelicans 45.5
New York Knicks 29.5
Oklahoma City Thunder 50.5
Orlando Magic 31.5
Philadelphia 76ers 54.5
Phoenix Suns 28.5
Portland Trail Blazers 41.5
Sacramento Kings 25.5
San Antonio Spurs 43.5
Toronto Raptors 54.5
Utah Jazz 48.5
Washington Wizards 44.5