Vegas released their annual over-under projections for OKC Thunder 2017-18 season.
The annual Vegas over-under projections were released for the NBA 2017-18 season with odds makers predicting the OKC Thunder will recognize a 4 game win increase. The annual Las Vegas predictions have the OKC Thunder winning the Northwest Division with a total of 51 wins.
That would translate into a fourth place finish with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs slated to finish ahead of the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference.
Looking at the full projections the following lists highlights where the odds makers rank the two Conferences. For comparison I’ve listed each teams final 2016-17 record and the number of games plus-minus the over-under places them to finish this season. Expected division champions are also noted.
Western Conference:
Projected playoff teams:
Golden State Warriors: over/under = 67.5 (Pacific Division, NBA Top Seed), 2016-17 Record: 67-15 (same)
Houston Rockets: over/under = 55.5 (Southwest Division), 2016-17 Record: 55-27 (same)
San Antonio Spurs: over/under = 54.5, 2016-17 Record: 61-21 (7 less wins)
Oklahoma City Thunder: over/under = 51.5 (Northwest Division), 2016-17 Record: 47-35 (plus 4 wins)
Minnesota Timberwolves: over/under = 48.5, 2016-17 Record: 31-51 (plus 17 wins)
Denver Nuggets: over/under = 45.5, 2016-17 Record: 40-42 (plus 5 wins)
Los Angeles Clippers: over/under = 43.5, 2016-17 Record: 51-31 (8 less wins)
Portland Trail Blazers: over/under = 42.5, 2016-17 Record: 41-41 (plus 1 win)
Projected lottery teams:
Utah Jazz: over/under = 40.5, 2016-17 Record: 51-31 (11 less wins)
New Orleans Pelicans: over/under = 39.5, 2016-17 Record: 34-48 (plus 5 wins)
Memphis Grizzlies: over/under = 37.5, 2016-17 Record: 43-39 (6 less wins)
Dallas Mavericks: over/under = 35.5, 2016-17 Record: 33-49 (plus 2 wins)
Los Angeles Lakers: over/under = 33.5, 2016-17 Record: 26-56 (plus 7 wins)
Sacramento Kings: over/under = 28.5, 2016-17 Record: 32-50 (4 less wins)
Phoenix Suns: over/under = 28.5, 2016-17 Record: 24-58 (plus 4 wins)
OKC Thunder and Western Conference Notes:
Vegas odds makers like the OKC Thunder to win their division, but they also recognize it as the strongest division. Notably all but the Jazz are predicted to make the playoffs comprising half the playoff field.
Furthermore, three of the OKC Thunder division rivals are predicted to improve their win totals. Minnesota is earmarked to make the biggest leap in the West with an additional 17 wins.
If accurate the odds makers anticipate a meeting with the Timberwolves in round one of the playoffs.
Golden State and Houston are projected to have identical records.
Only five Western squads are predicted to have fewer win totals.
Overall and not surprisingly the West is expected to be stronger.
Eastern Conference:
Projected playoff teams:
Boston Celtics: over/under = 56.5 (Atlantic Division), 2016-17 Record: 53-29 (plus 3 wins)
Cleveland Cavaliers: over/under = 53.5, (Central Division) 2016-17 Record: 51-31 (plus 2 wins)
Toronto Raptors: over/under = 48.5. 2016-17, 2016-17 Record: 51-31 (3 less wins)
Washington Wizards: over/under = 47.5, 2016-17 Record: 49-33 (2 less wins)
Milwaukee Bucks: over/under = 47.5, 2016-17 Record: 42-40 (plus 5 wins)
Miami Heat: over/under = 43.5 (Southeast Division) 2016-17 Record: 41-41 (plus 2 wins)
Philadelphia 76ers: over/under = 42.5, 2016-17 Record: 28-54 (plus 14 wins)
Charlotte Hornets: over/under = 42.5, 2016-17 Record: 36-46 (plus 6 wins)
Projected lottery teams:
Detroit Pistons: over/under = 38.5, 2016-17 Record: 37-45 (plus 1 win)
Orlando Magic: over/under = 33.5, 2016-17 Record: 29-53 (plus 4 wins)
Indiana Pacers: over/under = 31.5, 2016-17 Record: 42-40 (less 11 wins)
New York Knicks: over/under = 30.5, 2016-17 Record: 31-51 (less 1 win)
Brooklyn Nets: over/under = 28.5, 2016-17 Record: 20-62 (plus 8 wins)
Atlanta Hawks: over/under = 25.5, 2016-17 Record: 43-39 (less 18 wins)
Chicago Bulls: over/under = 21.5, 2016-17 Record: 41-41 (less 20 wins)
Eastern Conference Notes:
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Three Eastern squads are projected to make major shifts this season.
Presumably Vegas anticipates a healthy season for the 76ers with a projected jump of 14 wins. This would also put the youngsters into the postseason as the seventh seed. If calculations prove correct this would mean Embiids 76ers would meet either LeBron’s Cavaliers or Kyrie Irving’s Celtics in the first round. Everyone say it with me – upset waiting to happen? (insert big grin).
Conversely, the Atlanta Hawks are projected to lose a massive additional 18 games. Competing with the Hawks for league futility odds makers predict a 20 game drop for the Bulls and best odds at the best lottery pick. If accurate these two squads appear headed for full on tank mode.
Paul George’s Indiana Pacers are projected to suffer with the loss of the star and slated to lose an additional 11 games.