The 2018 NBA season is underway as we take a look at every team in the Southwest Division to see if they will go Over or Under their projected NBA Betting Win Total.
New Orleans Pelicans 45.5
The New Orleans Pelicans have made a lot of changes this offseason with DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo leaving. They brought in Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle to replace those two guys and after winning 48 games last season the total this season is set at 45.5
Name wise Payton and Randle aren’t as big as names as Cousins and Rondo but they actually probably fit the scheme of this team better playing alongside Anthony Davis. Don’t be surprised if this team gets a top three or four seed in the Western Conference. I really like the over 45.5 for this team.
San Antonio Spurs 42.5
The San Antonio Spurs finished last year with 47 wins and their over/under total this year has dropped to 42.5. The core of this team is led by DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. They also have Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol but otherwise, this is a pretty relatively young team.
The Spurs are dealing with a lot of injuries early in this season but one thing I have learned is to not go against Coach Pop. He always seems to get the best out of his players and I will take the over 42.5 for the Spurs.
Memphis Grizzlies 34.5
The Memphis Grizzlies had a really disappointing season last year finishing with only 24 wins. They are getting back their heat and soul though with Mike Conley Jr. back in the fold. The Grizzlies also have Marc Gasol and Chandler Parsons but besides those two guys, this really isn’t an experienced roster. There are going to be a lot of growing pains with the rest of the team and I think that will really hurt them.
I think Conley is only worth a few wins and I see the team finishing with 27 or 28 yards. The under will be easily covered for the Grizzlies.
Dallas Mavericks 34.5
The Dallas Mavericks finished with 26 wins last year but there is no question this team got better this offseason and there are high hopes for what this team can accomplish.
They drafted Luka Doncic who some believe can become a high-level point guard in this league. They also brought in DeAndre Jordan so maybe there will be a new lob city created in Dallas.
I really like the core of this team and with Dirk still around being a leader, I think this is going to be a nice year for the Mavs. I like the team to finish with 36 or 37 wins.
Houston Rockets 56.5
The Houston Rockets finished with 65 wins last year and this year the total is set at 56.5. People around the Rockets are trying to downplay Trevor Ariza going to the Phoenix Suns, but I really think that loss is going to hurt this team.
Ariza is a good defender who was a consistent scorer and the team is going to feel him gone each game. The Rockets still have James Harden and Chris Paul but I think this will be down year for them, at least compared to the last one. The Rockets will finish with 51 or 52 wins.
