OKC Thunder: Win projections, over-under – top picks
Middle Tier: fighting for playoffs – play-in tourny
Being stuck in the middle of the road is never ideal unless your a club looking to propel out of the basement and get your feet wet in the play-in tournament.
Many of these teams are not bad enough to be lottery-bound and not quite good enough to take the next step. This tier is also the most likely to make trades — and that can work in either direction. A club that isn’t performing up to expectations could hold a fire sale at the deadline. Conversely, one that’s overachieving or emulating last season’s Suns early could pull a quick deal to add one more piece to take them over the hump.
The Hawks are the club most likely to perform slightly under as they won’t be surprising anyone now. The combination of the rules changes to offensive whistle thieves could be an omen for Trae Young to struggle at least early while he adapts (prior to the refs eventually abandoning calling those fouls — hey it happens every year).
They’ve also got more pressure on them to perform this season and again, will be in “the hunted” group. They have loads of talent, but the oddsmakers are banking on them overperforming last season’s tally by four games. That’s asking a lot given they were relatively healthy in comparison to their counterparts and a slew of others re-upped their rosters and return healthy.
Factor in they’ll be back to facing conference opponents three times each. That’s fine for the Magic series but what about the equally young and talented Hornets, the ever-competitive Heat, and the Wizards who love to get into up and down offensive routs with them.
The Clippers are another wildcard to perform under the projected 45 wins. Not just because they won’t have star Kawhi Leonard as he nurses back to health either. As my cohort, Rylan Stiles pointed out they have inarguably the worst schedule in the league this season.
A ton of pressure will be on the back of Paul George and OKC Thunder fans got a front-row seat for how that panned out his last season in OKC. Bet the under. And since the OKC Thunder own their pick it’s not like we’ll be pulling for them to beast through the adversity!
Of this group, the Bulls and Hornets are two teams that could surpass their win projections. Sure 10 games is a lot (Chicago) but they’ll have Nikola Vucevic for a full season, a healthy motivated Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan who has experience on two of the top teams in terms of culture and winning ethic (Raptors, Spurs).
Likewise, in his sophomore season, many are expecting a leap from LaMelo Ball. Yet, the more compelling part of this equation in the narrator’s opinion is the continuity of the club coupled with the addition of vets Mason Plumlee, Kelly Oubre Jr, and Ish Smith. My suggestion is to bet the over (especially the Hornets).
Atlanta Hawks – 46.5 | ESPN Projection: 47-35 | 2020-21 record: 42-31
Boston Celtics – 45.5 | ESPN Projection: 45-37 | 2020-21 record: 36-36
LA Clippers – 45.5 | ESPN Projection: 45-37 | 2020-21 record: 47-25
Portland Trail Blazers – 44.5 | ESPN Projection: 43-39 | 2020-21 record: 42-30
Indiana Pacers – 42.5 | ESPN Projection: 40-42 | 2020-21 record: 34-38
Chicago Bulls – 41.5 | ESPN Projection: 40-42 | 2020-21 record: 31-41
Memphis Grizzlies – 41.5 | ESPN Projection: 42-40 | 2020-21 record: 38-34
New York Knicks – 41.5 | ESPN Projection: 44-38 | 2020-21 record: 41-31
New Orleans Pelicans – 39.5 | ESPN Projection: 37-45 | 2020-21 record: 31-41
Charlotte Hornets – 37.5 | ESPN Projection: 40-42 | 2020-21 record: 33-39