NBA Predictions: December 21st updated 2020-21 NBA win total projections

December 25, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Pelicans

Projected wins: 36 (+3)

Western Conference standings: 10th

What changed: The Pelicans had a nice preseason. It’s easy to see that talented squad’s efforts translating into more wins, although it probably won’t change their playoff forecast much.

The New Orleans Pelicans have had an overhaul of their own, replacing head coach Alvin Gentry with Stan Van Gundy. They also traded Jrue Holiday for a massive haul of draft picks and Eric Bledsoe, and they acquired Steven Adams from the OKC Thunder via trade. The Pelicans probably won’t win a whole lot more games, even though they will hopefully get a full season out of Zion Williamson, but they should be quite a bit more competitive. They also have a variety of directions they could go in trades, and those could bring down their expected win total a bit.

Related Story. Knicks: 3 players that must be traded away. light

New York Knicks

Projected wins: 25

Eastern Conference: 13th

The New York Knicks should be in their familiar spot this season, at or near the basement of the Eastern Conference. They had a subtle and quiet offseason, but they avoided big splurge overpays when other bottom-feeding teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons simply couldn’t help themselves. It may not be particularly exciting to behold, but there’s something to be said for being a bad team with some patience and vision.