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

By Duncan Smith

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: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks

Projected wins: 48

Western Conference standings: 2nd

So here’s the story about the Dallas Mavericks. They are certain to have one of the best offenses in the NBA (probably THE best), their defense will be better with the addition of Josh Richardson, and Luka Doncic will be one year older, wiser and more developed. In addition, the Mavs’ expected won-lost percentage last season was 65.3 percent (49-26 over a 75-game season), which is just shy of 48 wins in a 72-game season. They’ll miss Kristaps Porzingis over the first part of the season, but between internal development and some savvy trades, this team is going to be quite a bit better in 2020-21.

Denver Nuggets

Projected wins: 43

Western Conference standings: 4th

While the Dallas Mavericks are a virtual certainty to improve even if they stood pat, the Denver Nuggets took a clear step back this offseason. They lost Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee in free agency, both of them going to the Detroit Pistons for substantial pay raises. The Nuggets were able to salvage things a bit by getting JaMychal Green on the cheap, and they were fortunate that R.J. Hampton fell to them in the NBA draft at 24. And of course, they have two young superstars in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. However, while their rivals got better, the Nuggets got worse.