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NBA Betting Guide 2020-21: Win Totals & Prop Bets

By Anthony Cardenas

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 26: Bettors line up to place wagers after more than 400 proposition bets for Super Bowl LI between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots were posted at the Race & Sports SuperBook at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on January 26, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 26: Bettors line up to place wagers after more than 400 proposition bets for Super Bowl LI between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots were posted at the Race & Sports SuperBook at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on January 26, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Over/Under Win Totals

Portland Trail Blazers – over 40.5 wins (-130)

The Portland Trail Blazers made some serious improvements during the offseason, bolstering a roster that was adversely affected by injuries last year. Two big trades landed them solid rotation players in Robert Covington and Enes Kanter, and they added guys with high potential in free agency. Should Portland remain healthy throughout the season, they could make a run at one of the top spots in the Western Conference. If they do that, they’ll blow right past the 40 win mark.

Utah Jazz – under 42.5 wins (-115)

Phoenix Suns – over 38.5 wins (-145)

Here are two teams that I believe will be heading in opposite directions as far as win totals are concerned. The Utah Jazz played in 72 games last year and won 44 of them, and did virtually nothing to improve their roster for 2020-2021. In a shortened season with unprecedented variables, look for Utah to be underwhelming in the win column.

The Phoenix Suns were just 26-39 in 2019-’20 before the pandemic but had an impressive 8-0 showing in the bubble and missed the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. They made plenty of noise in the offseason by acquiring Chris Paul to be the veteran leader that can bring them to the postseason, and added the experienced Jae Crowder as well. In a 72 game season, 39 wins would give a team a 39-33 record, which is something that I believe Phoenix will be able to accomplish.

Milwaukee Bucks – under 50.5 wins (-115)

They added a handful of bench pieces and swapped Eric Bledsoe out for Jrue Holiday, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll be betting on the continued downward trajectory of the Milwaukee Bucks. The fanfare around Giannis Antetokounmpo and his impending free agency could end up being a distraction as his team tries to put the disappointment of the last two postseasons behind them.

I am not as high on this bet as I am on the other win total projections, as I believe Milwaukee wins 49 or 50 games this season and will make this one a nail biter.