The NBA’s Northwest Division had a lot to say in last season’s playoffs as four teams qualified in the Western Conference playoffs. We look at each team’s Over/Under win total, and if they make it over that mark. We will start with the team with the highest projected NBA Betting win total, the OKC Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder 50.5
The Thunder won 48 games last season, which was good enough for second in the division. The Thunder win total is at 50.5, which marks a two-win improvement. With arguably one of the best all-around players in the NBA Russell Westbrook along with Paul George and center Steven Adams, the Thunder have a solid core. The Thunder look ready to compete for the third spot in the conference.
I Like the Thunder to reach the 50 win mark, and compete for even as high as the second seed in the Western Conference, and win the division they haven’t won in two seasons.
Utah Jazz 48.5
The Utah Jazz was the biggest surprise of last season’s playoffs, as they not only advance past the 1st round but made it all the way to the conference semifinals falling to the Houston Rockets. The Jazz was the fifth seed last season, they will hope to compete for even higher in the West.
This could be the start of something big for this organization with all-star caliber players in Rudy Gobert and second-year player Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz could be poised for a deep run. after winning 48 last season, they have similar chances at reaching that amount once again. Other key players for Utah, include Ricky Rubio, Joe Ingles, and Derrick Favors. First-round pick Grayson Allen of Duke brings a new face to the team but could be a big piece for what Utah is trying to do. I like Utah’s chances of winning 48 games and could put them second in the division behind OKC.
Denver Nuggets 47.5
Denver was last in the division last season and was a solid team winning 46 games, which put them one win out of the playoffs. Their win total is projected at 47.5, and they have all the right pieces to reach that total. Nikola Jokic, Paul Millsap, Jamal Murray, Isaiah Thomas, and Gary Harris are all solid players.
They also have a solid bench and have a shot to make a run at the playoffs this season. They added Jarred Vanderbilt and Michael Porter in the draft, both young and very talented players, but the real question is will Porter stay healthy. I like the Nuggets to reach that 47.5 mark, and make the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13.
Minnesota Timberwolves 44.5
The Timberwolves were able to win 47 games last season and claimed the final spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. They are projected to have 44.5 wins this season, which is a drop off of three games, from a season ago. Karl-Anthony Towns is the kind of player you want to build around. Andrew Wiggins is yet another solid piece, along with Jeff Teague. Jimmy Butler is a great player, but the drama surrounding him wanting out of Minnesota could be very impactful on the season.
Minnesota finally got back to where it once was a playoff team last season. They fell to the Houston Rockets in the first round 4-1. They had the final spot, and it looks like they could reach that point again. I like their chances to win over 44.5 wins, and take the final spot in the West.
Portland Trail Blazers 41.5
The Portland Trail Blazers, were the kings of the Northwest Division last season as they won 49 games and won the division. They went into the playoffs as the third seed only to be swept by the sixth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans in four games.
Damien Lillard and CJ McCollum are still one of the best backcourts in the NBA. They both play at a high level. Jusuf Nurkic inside helps. They have plenty of depth and solid reserves, but this team looks like it could take a step back. They are projected to reach 41.5 wins, and that seems like a plausible finish. However, it seems to always be one team from this very competitive division that doesn’t make the playoffs and it looks like this season it could be Portland.
