With the NBA season right around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the Pacific Division win totals. You will also figure out where you should be putting your money this season. These win totals are courtesy of Bovada.
Win Totals – Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have been the class of the NBA for the last five seasons. However, their win total for this season is set at just 48.5. It’s not surprising to see such a low win total for a team that’s been so good. Kevin Durant is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets and Klay Thompson is going to be out for at least a chunk of the season after tearing his ACL in game six of this past seasons NBA Finals. Also, Andre Iguodala, who had been a key member of the franchise, is gone.
However, the team did reach out and add D’Angelo Russell this offseason. While Russell is not the greatest defender, he showed last season he’s capable of being a big-time offensive threat.
While expectations are lower this season, Golden State will surpass 48.5 wins. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will be able to lead this team while Thompson is out. Also, this franchise has a culture established. Even with some of the departures, that will be key in them winning early in the season.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers were the talk of the offseason. They added two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in free agency, and they were able to trade for Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George. This created arguably the best duo in the NBA. The over/under for the Clippers is set at 54.5.
This is a franchise that won 48 games last season with what most people viewed as an over-achieving roster. Now, by adding two of the better two-way players in the league, most would assume the over is the easy bet here.
While the over is the correct bet, buyer beware with this one. George is going to miss the start of the season, and Leonard is known for sitting games out during the regular season due to load management.
This will be a well-coached team. They have plenty of talent. If everyone was to play every game they would likely win over 60 games. However, they will come closer to the under than most fans would guess.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers were just as splashy this offseason as their cross-town rivals. The win total for the Lakers is set at 51.5.
Most fans are excited to watch this team after they traded for Anthony Davis this offseason, pairing him with LeBron James, giving James the best teammate he’s played with during his career.
The team also generated excitement by bringing in DeMarcus Cousins, however, Cousins is out for the season after tearing his ACL.
With Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo still on the roster, and the addition of Danny Green, plenty of talent is on this roster.
The correct bet here is the over. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are going to want to make a statement. The main concern with some of the players on this roster is going to be health. That’s the main reason to be cautious about this over.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the laughing stocks of the NBA. With that, the over/under for this season’s team is set at 29.5.
Generally, that number would be way too high. It still might be. The Suns have been bad, and they didn’t add too much talent this offseason.
The front office made solid additions by adding Dario Šarić and Ricky Rubio. They also added Cameron Johnson in the NBA Draft, who most people viewed as a reach based on where he was projected to be drafted and where the Suns got him.
While there is more talent on this team than in some past seasons, the overall win total will come down to the production of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
An underrated part of this team this season is Booker being able to play off the ball. He’s put up big numbers in his NBA career, but he hasn’t been very efficient while doing so. Now, with the addition of Rubio, he’ll be able to play off the ball much more instead of handling the ball.
With all that said, the correct bet is the under. The team did add some quality pieces that will make the jobs of Booker and Ayton easier, but until the Suns prove they can be counted on, bet against them.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have been bad the past decade, but last season was their best since the 2005-06 season, which was the last they made the postseason. Their over/under for the season is 37.5.
Based on internal development this team should win more games than that total. However, the West is more loaded this season than it was last season.
De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley, and Buddy Hield are all fun players to watch and players that will play perhaps the biggest roles this season. However, the team was also able to bring back Harrison Barnes this offseason. That was a huge move because he gives them a go-to scorer.
This number is the toughest one to bet in this division. However, the correct bet is betting the over. It will be close and be one that probably should be stayed away from. The reason the over is the right bet if you are going to lay one is that the Warriors are weaker than they have been in past seasons, and the Kings have usually been able to play Golden State tough. Also, the Clippers will likely engage in some load-management, which will give the Kings a good chance to beat them as opposed to playing them in a playoff matchup.
The Pacific is loaded, and the Kings will probably finish fourth, but them at fourth will be better than most divisions third-best teams.
Main Photo
