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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: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets

Projected wins: 41 (+2)

Western Conference standings: 6th (previously 7th)

What changed: James Harden and Christian Wood looked real good together in the one preseason game they’ve both played. If Harden stays in Houston, there’s no reason the Rockets can’t remain competitive. If he leaves, we’re scrapping this whole win total project and starting over from scratch.

The Houston Rockets have had themselves an offseason, starting with the flight home from the Orlando bubble when head coach Mike D’Antoni told his team that as expected, he would not be returning next season. Shortly thereafter, longtime general manager Daryl Morey left, and then Russell Westbrook and James Harden had major concerns that led to trade considerations for both of them. Since then, new general manager Rafael Stone has had a nice run, topped off by adding Christian Wood on a team-friendly three-year, $41 million contract. Maybe the Rockets will move everything that isn’t bolted to the ground, but until then, a team with James Harden will always be a playoff team in the NBA.

Indiana Pacers

Projected wins: 34 (-3)

Eastern Conference standings: 9th (previously 7th)

What changed: Thanks to an improved Washington Wizards squad, some teams that remained stagnant are going to pay the price. The Pacers are likely to be one of those teams.

The Indiana Pacers had a quiet offseason, aside from firing head coach Nate McMillan just days after he got an extension for leading his team to the NBA playoffs. It turns out that getting swept in the playoffs does occasionally have a deleterious effect on one’s employment. The Pacers hired Nate Bjorkgren away from the Toronto Raptors to be their next head coach, and it’s going to be interesting seeing how the Nick Nurse (and Dwane Casey) coaching tree performs in today’s NBA. The organization appears to be ready and willing to pull the trigger on a deal for Myles Turner, so we’ll see how that develops this season. Regardless, they should be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference.