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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: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies

Projected wins: 29

Western Conference standings: 12th

The Memphis Grizzlies had a quiet offseason with a few marginal moves surrounding their biggest splash; re-signing De’Anthony Melton to a four-year, $35 million deal. Without internal progression from more than just Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke, it’s going to be hard to see the Grizzlies outdo their ninth-place finish in the Western Conference last season. Of course, Justise Winslow might be a difference-maker, but we’ll see if he can actually stay healthy and play before we count on that.

Miami Heat

Projected wins: 41

Eastern Conference standings: 6th

Before Miami Heat fans jump down my throat for selling their team short so soon after going to the NBA Finals, regard that this is a team that finished with an expected W-L last season of 58.9 percent, a rate which over 72 games would work out to a 42-win pace. Considering the hot start the Heat got off to at the beginning of the season, which might be difficult to replicate, I think this is a fairly reasonable number for this team that is mostly returning its main contributors. If health doesn’t break right, maybe even fewer wins are in the cards.