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Over/Under? Vegas Projected Win Totals Released for 2016-17 Regular Season

By Matthew Medley

Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) drives through San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) and San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the game at FedExForum. San Antonio Spurs beat Memphis Grizzlies 107 – 101. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) drives through San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) and San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the game at FedExForum. San Antonio Spurs beat Memphis Grizzlies 107 – 101. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Southwest Division

San Antonio Spurs 56.5 wins

Over. The Spurs already were a great team without the addition of Pau Gasol. They won 67 games in 2015-16 and Tim Duncan did not even have a particularly great season. Although I don’t expect another 67-win season, somewhere around 60 seems probable.

LaMarcus Aldridge is fully acclimated to his surroundings. Kawhi Leonard is an MVP candidate. I expect a big year out of Pau, even at age 36, as the system is tailor-made to his style of play.

Memphis Grizzlies 43.5 wins

Over. Aside from the Spurs, the Southwest looks pretty weak this season. The Grizzlies won 42 games in 2015-16 with a decimated roster, and just added Chandler Parsons.

The addition of Parsons, having a healthy Marc Gasol, and a motivated Mike Conley Jr. will make the Grizzlies an interesting rival to watch in the division. Those matches between the Gasol Brothers will be must-watch TV.

Dallas Mavericks 39.5 wins

Under. The signing of Harrison Barnes appears to be such an obvious waste of money. Maybe Barnes will exceed expectations, but he’s not going to live up to a maximum contract.

Aside from Dirk Nowitzki, now 38 years old, no one on the roster can be trusted to lead a team when points are hard to come by. My feeling is this team will be selling off pieces by the trade deadline.

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Houston Rockets 41.5 wins

Under. If Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson both stay healthy, they might contend for a playoff spot. Those are two big question marks. If the track record of Gordon continues, he’ll miss significant time and the Rockets will be left wondering how that could have gone wrong.

Maybe James Harden can carry the team on his back, but it won’t be a surprise if they finish below .500.

New Orleans Pelicans 36.5 wins

Under. Anthony Davis needs some help. Jrue Holiday is going through a serious family situation, in which basketball is the least important priority on his list, but the starting point guard is one of the few reliable players other than Davis on the roster.

They lost Gordon, Anderson, and didn’t make substantial moves to fill those gaps. The Pelicans won 30 games in 2015-16 and it may be even worse this season.