Coming in after every team was able to play one game but below we’ll have a breakdown of each team’s win projections, picks for playoffs, awards and much more!
Going into this season this is what we are most excited to see!
Luka and a full season in Los Angeles. It’s been about 8 months since the Luka trade occurred and it still makes no sense. Luka this offseason looks to come into the season in better shape then maybe his last few seasons after a strong performance at Eurobasket this summer. With the addition of De’Andre Ayton can Luka get the most out of the former #1 pick? What does LeBron have left in the tank, starting the season sitting out due to a Sciatica issue. LA and the Lakers already feel like they have given Doncic the keys to it all. I think Luka is primed to lead this Lakers team to a playoff run even in a completely loaded Western Conference.
Does Boston tank? Boston issued a firesale this offseason due to it’s super high salary cap number putting them in the second apron. Being in that second apron and without Jayson Tatum for most if not all of the season was something ownership and the front office clearly wanted to get out of. But with no Tatum, Holiday, Porzingis, Kornet or Horford this team is much thinner especially in the rebounding and size department. I assume this team will shoot even more three’s than they already do at a high rate and see if the offense and shooting of mainly Brown, Pritchard, White and newly acquired Simons can lift them to a winning season. But if they get out to a slow start do they move off of Simons or others for assets and race to the bottom to try and pick up a high pick in what looks like another strong 2026 draft class?
The Battle of the West! The Western Conference is absolutely loaded. It feels like Oklahoma City’s to lose after coming off a 68 win championship season, this young squad kept its core together and looks poised to make another deep run. Houston and Denver sure seem like they’ll have something to say about it. The size of Houston and the addition of Kevin Durant will pose problems for many but a lack of a true point guard and the aging Durant do leave room for concerns. In Denver, Jokic looks primed to make another run as the best player in the league. I love their offseason moves in the addition of Bruce Brown and essentially a swap of Cameron Johnson for Michael Porter Jr. The west provides even additional depth with both the Lakers and Clippers looking strong, Dallas and San Antonio will be improved, experienced Minnesota and Golden State teams. It’s likely that to not be in the play-in tournament you have to win 50 games. Health, age, depth and roster improvement will be fun to watch.
San Antonio Spurs
43.5
Over
I love the Spurs over this year. The only hesitation I think you can have for this is if Wembanyama gets hurt. I think they shut him down on the extra cautious side last year. They knew they weren’t winning it all and why mess with something like that. Fox is starting the year hurt but I think Wemby is poised to make a jump to First or Second Team All NBA tier of talent in the league. A lot of gritty young guys ready to get after it. This is also a team with the assets to make a trade to improve mid-season. I’m a hard over and this will be one of my 5 locks.
Dallas Mavericks
38.5
Over
Much like the Spurs bet, the biggest bet here is how many games are you getting out of Anthony Davis? I trust this team to stay healthy enough and with the jumpstart of Rookie of The Year favorite Cooper Flagg I just see this team being at least a .500 team. If Flagg makes an immediate impact like I think he will, if Kyrie is healthy this will be a tough out in the playoffs. Love their size with Gafford, Lively, Davis, Washington and Flagg. I’m a strong over on the Mav’s.
Houston Rockets
52.5
Over
I’m going over on all three teams out of Texas. Similarly to the Mavericks I love the size of the Rockets. Their lack of a true point guard is my one concern but I think they have the luxury of having a big like Sengun that you can run an offense around. I think Amen Thompson makes a leap and can run some pick and roll and initiate offense as well and now they have arguably the best shot creator in Durant off the wing. I love their size, coaching and athleticism.
New Orleans Pelicans
30.5
Under
This is a bet the other way on health. I just don’t trust Zion to stay healthy and unlike the Mavericks, Houston and even Spurs they don’t have the depth to weather him not in the lineup. They are already starting the season without Dejounte Murray. If Zion plays a full season they probably go over this 30.5 win total easily. My bet is just the other way on that.
Memphis Grizzlies
39.5
Under
Memphis was really bad down the stretch of last season. Already starting the season without Jaren Jackson Jr I worry about this team. Ja has just not looked the same to me after these injuries and suspensions. I just am not high on a team with so much up in the air. If they were in the East (which location wise would make a whole lot of sense) I think I’d go over but in a loaded West I just don’t trust this Memphis team.
Oklahoma City Thunder
62.5
Over
I’ll keep this one simple. They have the best guard in the league, Chet I feel is primed to play more games and make a leap, Jalen Williams will miss a few games to start the season but that is not a long term injury I’m concerned about and they are just so deep and young. I’m really high on Cason Wallace making a leap and a potential Sixth Man of The Year candidate. Great coaching, great front office and a great roster. 62.5 is a lot but I think they’re just as good as they were last year.
Denver Nuggets
53.5
Over
I’m just all in on Jokic and I think their additions of Cam Johnson and Bruce Brown provide a little more reinforcements and depth to a team that really needed it last year. The Nuggets can seemingly sometimes coast in regular seasons but with Murray healthy and a few years removed from their championship I think Denver is the second best team in the league and ready to go out there and give the Thunder a run.
Minnesota Timberwolves
48.5
Over
That just felt too low to me. Anthony Edwards is one of the best 7 or so players in the league. They have an identity as a team and I again love their length and size on the interior and the wing. My really only concern is at the point guard position. With Conley really getting up there in age and not a strong rookie campaign from Rob Dillingham I worry about this team getting stagnant on offense, especially in the half court. But this just looks like a 50 win team to me.
Portland Trail Blazers
35.5
Under
I just am not seeing it here. The case for them going over is Sharpe, Henderson and Avdija making a leap and I’m not betting on that in a division with the Thunder, Nuggets and Timberwolves. I see it more likely they move Holiday this season and get some assets back and go for a high draft pick than them winning over 35 games.
Utah Jazz
19.5
Under
I’m just not seeing it here. This feels like an ultra tank season and another weird NBA Draft fix job incoming with BYU star AJ Dybansta being primed to be a top-3 pick in the draft. Again I think it’s more likely they trade Lauri Markkanen and pick up more assets than they even sniff 20 wins. They’re young and well coached but this division and conference are just too good.
Los Angeles Lakers
45.5
Under
This feels like an interim season for the Lakers. I don’t think they’re bad. I think they’re slightly under. I just think the Lebron injury will linger this season and they really hand the keys over to Luka after this year. Luka is the tipping point here. He might be so good that he and Reeves drag Rui, Ayton and the gang to 46 wins but I think the rest of the roster is just not very good. I’ll go under slightly here but I think Luka could make this look really dumb.
Los Angeles Clippers
49.5
Under
This just feels like too high of a number. Again I don’t think the Clippers will be bad I just see them as a mid-40 win team and not a 50+ win team. With a team this old my first concern is of course health, especially that of Kawhi Leonard. Harden can steer the ship only so much and he’s not the same player he was 5 years ago. I just think this is a good not great team and in this Western Conference that is a 40 something win team.
Phoenix Suns
30.5
Under
So they have no point guards, no good bigs and the entire offense feels like it relies on Devin Booker to do everything? That just seems like a recipe for a terrible season. Booker is great but him being the everything of your offense is not enough. He probably has to play out of position all season and I just think they struggle with these teams like Houston, San Antonio, Minnesota, etc that have size.
Sacramento Kings
32.5
Under
It’s a hard under for me on this one and this will be one of our locks. There is nothing I’m excited about if I’m a Kings fan. If this was 2017 I would like this team. But at this stage Westbrook, Lavine and Derozan can’t be the bulk of your offense. Sabonis I think raises the floor of this team but I think the Kings are sellers at the deadline and they look more like the Kings that missed the playoffs for over a decade than they have the last couple of seasons.
Golden State Warriors
47.5
Over
The age and health are the biggest concerns I have here. If this team is mostly healthy and they can get 70+ games from Steph, Jimmy and Draymond this is probably the fourth best team in the West. The experience, pedigree and basketball IQ of this Warriors team is at the top of the league. Could be the last big run this Warriors team has and I think they get the job done and win 50+ games.
Boston Celtics
41.5
Under
Going under here as I think they decide to blow this team up even further mid-season to fight for a high pick and build for next year. With Tatum and Brown under long term deals, when Tatum is back this team turns into a contender instantly again in the East. I think they take it easy with Tatum’s return and the current team as it stands is probably on the outside looking in and I don’t see any reason why they would upgrade a team that doesn’t have a real chance of winning it all.
New York Knicks
53.5
Over
I think the Knicks are probably poised to have the best regular season out of anyone in the East. They have a great starting five and I think if Mitchell Robinson can stay healthy they can be a better team defensively in the regular season than last. With Boston taking a step back their division is weak and I think they cruise through the East and compete for the #1 seed.
Toronto Raptors
39.5
Under
I just don’t like the sum of the parts. I think in the right situation everyone in their starting five are good NBA players and fulfill needs for a basketball team but I just don’t like how it plays together. They feel stuck with this roster and its contracts and I just don’t see how they make a big leap up. I think they are fighting for the last play-in seed but ultimately fall short.
Brooklyn Nets
18.5
Under
Yikes. Besides Utah this may be the worst roster in the league. You have a team whose offense depends on Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. Even in a weak Eastern Conference I think this team struggles to score if those guys aren’t in heat check mode. Their defense will be bad, it just feels like this franchise has already punted on this season.
Philadelphia 76ers
42.5
Under
This is much like the New Orleans Pelicans pick. I’m just going to bet the side of Joel Embiid and to a lesser extent Paul George not being able to stay on the basketball court. If Embiid plays 55+ games than maybe I will eat my words but I’m not holding out hope. For basketball purposes I hope I’m wrong because when Embiid is right he is one of the most talented centers to ever play but I really have concerns about his knees.
Milwaukee Bucks
43.5
Over
This one will also be a lock and probably my favorite over pick in the East. I’m going to bank on one of the 3 best players in the league winning 44 games in a bad conference every time. Giannis has stayed durable and I think this team’s role players have improved. Unless they get to a slow start and Giannis demands a trade out I just think this team will easily hit the over on 43.5.
Cleveland Cavaliers
56.5
Under
Still a really good team but I don’t think they take the regular season as seriously as they did last year. I think this is a team that will finish top-3 in the East but I don’t think they will get to 57 wins this year. I worry about their health, especially with Garland and Ball.
Indiana Pacers
36.5
Over
Yes they lost Haliburton for the year, yes Myles Turner is gone. But I just think this teams style of play and tutelage under Rick Carlisle is better than 36.5 wins. I expect this Pacers team to continue to push the pace and I think some of these guys like Nembhard, Mathurin and Nesmith are ready to take on the role as a number two for this team and run and gun with Siakim. I don’t think they’re poised for a high seed or playoff run but I do feel they are a lot closer to .500 than this 36.5 win projection.
Detroit Pistons
46.5
Under
I just think there is some regression here. The Pistons were in a ton of close games last year and a few won by Malik Beasley’s three point shooting late in games. Well Beasley is out and I think some of those close games end up going the other way. Cade alone is good enough to get them to 40 wins in the East but I think 47 wins for them is a little high.
Chicago Bulls
33.5
Over
Look this Bulls team is going to Bulls it up and be a play in team with around 40 wins. There is nothing spectacular about this team. There isn’t even much of a bright future but this franchise and ownership just seem content with winning around 40 games and being in no-man’s land more than any team I’ve ever seen.
Orlando Magic
50.5
Over
I really like the addition of Desmond Bane to this team. They needed some scoring from the guard positions and someone that can shoot from the outside badly and I think Bane does that and keeps that gritty Orlando vibe. If this team stays healthy, which they didn’t do last year, I think they are fighting with Cleveland and New York for the #1 seed.
Miami Heat
37.5
Under
I hate betting an under against Erik Spoelstra. He is the best coach in the NBA, I don’t think that is up for debate but this team lacks shot creation really badly, especially with the absence of Tyler Herro to start the season. The Heat feel like a team in limbo right now and I think this is a season they start to hit the reset button.
Charlotte Hornets
28.5
Over
I think if this team stay healthy, which is a big if, that they are really talented on the offensive side of the ball. I think Brandon Miller is poised to take a leap and be a fringe All-Star level player and if Lamelo Ball can stay on the floor this team is going to run and put up points. I think the Hornets still have a long way to go to be any sort of playoff contender but I think the talent on this roster brings them up to the mid-30 win range and fighting for a play-in seed.
Washington Wizards
20.5
Under
I say this positively. I think this is the last year of Washington being in ultra-tank mode. I think they are starting to build something positive in the nation’s capital. All that being said, they are relying on so many young guys to perform and create offense for this team. I just don’t think they are ready yet. It’s an under for me but I do see the light at the end of the tunnel for them.
Atlanta Hawks
42.5
Under
I’m sorry I don’t get the Atlanta hype train this year. This team has a slew of players that have failed to stay healthy. Trae Young will put up numbers but his outside shooting efficiency really drags this team down in my opinion. I think the Hawks are an okay team and are close to this win total but they just seem like 43 wins is just out of reach.
Locks
Milwaukee Bucks Over 43.5
San Antonio Spurs Over 43.5
Oklahoma City Thunder Over 62.5
Sacramento Kings Under 32.5
Phoenix Suns Under 30.5
MVP
- Nikola Jokic
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Victor Wembanyama
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Luka Doncic
ROY
- Cooper Flagg
- VJ Edgecombe
- Tre Johnson
- Kon Knuppel
- Ace Bailey
DPOY
- Victor Wembanyama
- Evan Mobley
- Dyson Daniels
- Amen Thompson
- Ausar Thompson
Western Conference Finals
Oklahoma City Thunder Defeat the Denver Nuggets
Eastern Conference Finals
New York Knicks Defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers
Finals
Oklahoma City Thunder Defeat the New York Knicks
First Team All-NBA
Nikola Jokic
Victory Wembanyama
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Luka Doncic
Second Team All-NBA
Evan Mobley
Alpren Sengun
Paolo Banchero
Anthony Edwards
Jalen Brunson
Third Team All-NBA
Anthony Davis
Jalen Williams
Pascal Siakim
Amen Thompson
Cade Cunningham
PostScript Sports 
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