With the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers in rebuild mode and the Jazz not quite ready to be a player in the group, the NBA's Northwest Division is all about the Oklahoma City Thunder. Covers Expert Steve Merril breaks down the best ways to bet the Northwest Division this upcoming NBA season.
Denver Nuggets (2014-15: 30-52 SU, 36-43-3 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +10000
Season Win Total: 26.5
Why Bet The Nuggets: Denver has made some significant changes, and because of those moves, expectations are extremely low this season. However, the Nuggets should have improved chemistry on and off the court with new head coach Mike Malone in charge. His presence alone will also make the Nuggets’ defense significantly better.
Why Not To Bet The Nuggets: Point guard Ty Lawson is gone after multiple off the court issues. Lawson was Denver’s offensive catalyst, and without many pure scorers on the roster, points will be hard to come by for the Nuggets. Denver will be a mishmash unit that lacks true NBA starting talent in 2015.
Season Win Total Pick: Under 26.5 Wins
Minnesota Timberwolves (2014-15: 16-66 SU, 35-46-1 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +10000
Season Win Total: 25.5
Why Bet The Timberwolves: Minnesota only won 16 games last season; the fewest in the NBA. There is nowhere to go but up for the Timberwolves in 2015. Minnesota is loaded with young talent, including Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, and No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves have all the pieces to succeed in 2015 provided the young talent meshes together early on.
Why Not To Bet The Timberwolves: The team has solid building blocks in place, but they are still years away from competing for a playoff spot. Youth doesn’t win often in the NBA, and since Minnesota is one of the youngest teams in the league, they are still in building mode. Staying injury-free will also be paramount; Rubio and Nikola Pekovic have missed close to 40 percent of their games since coming into the league.
Season Win Total Pick: Over 25.5 Wins
Oklahoma City Thunder (2014-15: 45-37 SU, 39-41-2 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: -200
Season Win Total: 57.5
Why Bet The Thunder: Oklahoma City slogged their way through an unfortunate 2014 season. The Thunder had to play without Kevin Durant for an extended period of time after he got injured. Russell Westbrook carried the Thunder on his shoulders, but with Durant back on the court, Oklahoma City has the most formidable 1-2 punch in the NBA. As long as the two remain healthy, Oklahoma City is a legitimate title contender in 2015.
Why Not To Bet The Thunder: The team must stay healthy, but that has been a problem the past couple of years. Durant and Westbrook have missed 107 regular season games combined the last two seasons. Oklahoma City also has a rookie head coach in Billy Donovan who left Florida to take this job. The pressure is on to win now, but if injuries repeat, the Thunder may underachieve once again in 2015.
Season Win Total Pick: Over 57.5 Wins
Portland Trail Blazers (2014-15: 51-31 SU, 40-41-1 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +10000
Season Win Total: 26.5
Why Bet The Trail Blazers: Portland will be all Damian Lillard. He is the lone leftover from last year’s starting five and he has the ability to carry the team on his shoulders. The Trail Blazers are an extremely young team, but those guys are finally getting their chance to prove themselves. Portland will bring effort in every game and because of that, the Trail Blazers could be dangerous if their opponents overlook them.
Why Not To Bet The Trail Blazers: Portland is a shell of the team that won 51 games last season. And that’s why their season wins total has been virtually cut in half for 2015. With four of their five starters from last season gone, the Trail Blazers are starting from scratch. Portland is an unknown commodity coming into this season.
Season Win Total Pick: Under 26.5 Wins
Utah Jazz (2014-15: 38-44 SU, 44-35-3 ATS)
Odds To Win Division: +1200
Season Win Total: 40.5
Why Bet The Jazz: Utah has a tremendous frontcourt lineup that includes Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and Rudy Gobert. Those guys were key to Utah’s outstanding defense last season that held opponents to just 94.9 points per game which ranked No. 1 in the NBA.
Why Not To Bet The Jazz: Utah’s offense could not generate points consistently last season, and overall, they only averaged 95.1 points per game. The Jazz need improved point guard play from Trey Burke, especially since they play in the Western Conference which is loaded will elite point guards. Utah has little depth as well, so Utah must avoid major injuries to improve upon last year’s 38 total wins.
Season Win Total Pick: Under 40.5 Wins
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[Source: Covers.com: NBA News and Stories]
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