NBA, NCAAB 2014 - 15 Previews

[Udog]

NBA Southeast Division Betting Preview

Washington Wizards (2013-14: 43-38 SU, 42-38-1 ATS)

Odds to win division: +180

Season wins total: 49.5

Why To Bet The Wizards: With Bradley Beal and John Wall, the Wizards have one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Dion Waiters might think otherwise, but I think Beal hit the nail on the head in his reply to Waiters when the two had a war of words on Twitter a few weeks back: "you gotta win a playoff game first before you can talk. You gotta be a starter first." The signing of Marcin Gortat gives Washington one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference for five more years, and at 29 years old the Polish Hammer is in the prime of his career. Paul Pierce may be well past his prime, but he proved in last season's playoffs that he can still be a difference maker.

Why Not To Bet The Wizards: They lost a key defender when Trevor Ariza signed with Houston this summer. Washington was mediocre at best defensively, ranking in the middle of the pack in opponent's field goal percentage last season. At the age of 37, it's asking a lot of Paul Pierce to chase around opposing small forwards night in and night out.

Season win total pick: Over 49.5 wins


Miami Heat (2013-14: 54-27 SU, 37-42-2 ATS)

Odds to win division: +230

Season wins total: 43.5

Why To Bet The Heat: Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have a lot to prove this year, and both players have welcomed the challenge. While Luol Deng won't replace LeBron James, he still gives the Heat a formidable Big Three. The biggest thing this team might have going for it, is that they should be hungrier this year.

Why Not To Bet The Heat: Miami will be competitive if Wade can stay healthy, but that's a big if. He missed 28 games last year, and he's been plagued by knee injuries in recent seasons. The Heat didn't just lose LeBron James in the off-season, they also lost Ray Allen and Shane Battier. They are going to need Bosh to step up an carry the load as the first option on offense, while also counting on him to defend opposing centers while at a significant size disadvantage. It remains to be seen if Bosh can rise to the challenge.

Season win total pick: Over 43.5 wins.


Atlanta Hawks (2013-14: 38-44 SU, 37-43-1 ATS)

Odds to win the division: +410

Season wins total: 41.5

Why to bet the Hawks: They have been to the post-season in seven straight seasons, and they did it last year without Al Horford who went down with an injury in the first half of the season. With the acquisition of Thabo Sefolosha, and Horford back healthy, there is plenty of reason to expect improvement.

Why not to bet the Hawks: The bad news for Atlanta is that while they hope to be better, the competition in the East is going to be much tougher than it was last year, and 38 wins isn't likely going to be enough to get into the playoffs. The Hawks did little in the off-season to address their shortcomings on the boards. Altanta ranked 28th in the NBA averaging 40 rebounds per game last season.

Season wins total pick: Under 41.5


Charlotte Hornets (2013-14: 43-39 SU, 46-32-3 ATS)

Odds to win division: +335

Season wins total: 45

Why To Bet The Hornets: This appears to be a young team on the rise, coming off an inspiring post-season appearance last year. They acquired Lance Stephenson via free agency, and Noah Vonleh in the draft. Veteran Al Jefferson was a nice fit last season, averaging over 20 points and 10 boards, for his best season since 2009. He has a solid supporting cast with Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson and Cody Zeller all young players with their best years ahead of them.

Why Not To Bet The Hornets: Jefferson is as reliable as they come when healthy, but at this stage in his career it's more than likely that he will miss games with recurring plantar fasciitis, and other ailments. The loss of Josh McRoberts might leave a hole that proves difficult to fill, as his replacement Marvin Williams doesn't have the same play-making ability.

Season wins total: Over 45 wins


Orlando Magic (2013-14: 23-59 SU, 34-44-4 ATS)

Odds to win division: +5,500

Season wins total: 28

Why To Bet The Magic: It's not easy finding positive things to say about a team that finished with just 23 wins last season, and traded away it's leading scorer. That being said, they won't have to show much of an improvement to surpass expectations, simply because they have set the bar so low.

Why Not To Bet Magic: This team is clearly in a rebuilding stage, and nothing they did this summer would suggest that they have any intentions of competing this season. The plan for the future likely involves getting one of the top picks in the 2015 draft, and winning more than 28 games would put a wrinkle in that plan.

Season wins total pick: Under 28 wins

[Udog]

NBA Central Division Betting Preview

Chicago Bulls (2013-14: 48-34 SU, 41-40-1 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +140
Season Win Total: 55

Why Bet The Bulls: Chicago is loaded with talent, and they have a coach in Tom Thibodeau that gets the most out of his players. With a healthy Derrick Rose, the Bulls have the potential to make a run at the title. Chicago added Pau Gasol, Aaron Brooks, Doug McDermott, and Nikola Mirotic who will bolster Chicago’s offense. The Bulls always bring their defense under Thibodeau, and if the team avoids the injury bug, Chicago will be one of the best teams in the NBA this season.

Why Not To Bet The Bulls: As mentioned above, the biggest obstacle Chicago must avoid is injuries. If history repeats itself, especially with Rose, all bets are off. The Bulls also have a tendency to wear down as the season goes on due to Thibodeau’s over usage, but that may be absent this season with the influx of depth. However, it’s still a concern, and it bears watching the minutes played by the Bulls’ starters.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 55 Wins


Cleveland Cavaliers (2013-14: 33-49 SU, 40-42 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: -170
Season Win Total: 58.5

Why Bet The Cavaliers: LeBron James. One player makes a huge impact in the NBA, and the Cavaliers go from an also-ran to a championship contender with the return of LeBron. Cleveland also added Kevin Love who completes the most formidable duo in the NBA this season. And with future superstar Kyrie Irving forming an unmatched trio, there’s no question the Cavaliers are the best team on paper coming into this season.

Why Not To Bet The Cavaliers: Cleveland’s offense may put-up record-breaking numbers with all the scoring punch they have, but their defense will be a key to this season. Cleveland’s bench is okay, and they’ll need to prevent opposing second units from out-scoring them. New head coach David Blatt comes with high accolades, but he’s inexperienced at the NBA level. Chemistry is also important in basketball, and it’s unknown how the team will mesh on and off the court.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 58.5 Wins


Detroit Pistons (2013-14: 29-53 SU, 35-46-1 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +5400
Season Win Total: 36

Why Bet The Pistons: New head coach Stan Van Gundy is a huge upgrade over the poor Detroit coaching staff of last season. Gundy’s presence alone will boost the Pistons by more than a few wins. Detroit also has one of the best young frontcourts in the league, led by Andre Drummond. The Pistons underachieved last season, but with a solid nucleus and good coaching, Detroit could easily eclipse the 40-win mark this season.

Why Not To Bet The Pistons: Detroit is unlucky in that they have to play eight total games against the Bulls and Cavaliers. While the Pistons are strong in the paint, their weakness is perimeter shooting; they shot just 32.1% from three-point land last season. They signed sharpshooter Jodie Meeks in the off-season to address that issue, but he recently hurt his back and he’s slated to miss two months.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 36 Wins


Indiana Pacers (2013-14: 56-26 SU, 38-43-1 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +1700
Season Win Total: 33.5

Why Bet The Pacers: Indiana was the best team over the first half of last season. But the Pacers ended the season on a down note, and because of that, Indiana will be undervalued to begin the season. Indiana has a solid program and system in place that makes it easier to plug and play new guys on the team.

Why To Bet The Pacers: The team lost Lance Stephenson to free agency, and Paul George suffered a gruesome leg injury over the summer while playing for Team USA. That leaves Indiana minus their best two players on both ends of the court. The Pacers only scored 96.7 points per game last season, and with 36.2 points per game now missing, Indiana will have a terrible offense this season.

Season Win Total Pick: Under 33.5 Wins


Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14: 15-67 SU, 36-45-1 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +19500
Season Win Total: 24.5

Why Bet The Bucks: Milwaukee finished with the worst record in the NBA last season, so there’s nowhere to go but up. The Bucks have a new head coach in Jason Kidd, and they nabbed Jabari Parker in the draft. There’s promising young talent on the Milwaukee roster, and if Kidd can mold them together, the Bucks could be a tough out this season.

Why Not To Bet The Bucks: The team has solid building blocks in place, but they are still years away from competing for a playoff spot. Youth doesn’t win in the NBA, and since Milwaukee is one of the youngest teams in the league, they don’t project to have much success right away.

Season Win Total Pick: Under 24.5 Wins

[Udog]

NBA Atlantic Division betting preview: Lack of elite teams opens up value

The Atlantic Division hasn't exactly been the crown jewel of the NBA in recent years. While that's unlikely to change in 2014-15, there is the potential for an entertaining race - and plenty of betting value.

Here's a quick look at all five teams and where they stand entering the new campaign.

Boston Celtics (2013-14: 25-57 SU, 39-41-2 ATS)

Odds to win division: 26-1
Season win total: 26.5

Why bet the Celtics: The Celtics did a lot of good things in year one of the Brad Stevens era. With Rajon Rondo back in the mix, there's optimism that they could even be a little ahead of schedule in their rebuild. Few bettors will be looking to back the C's, and that should help add some value, particularly early in the season. Playing in the watered-down Atlantic Division doesn't hurt their cause either.

Why not bet the Celtics: Boston is still probably at least a year or two away from contending for a playoff spot. On most nights, backing the Celtics will likely turn out to be a lesson in frustration. Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger made positive strides a year ago, but can they live up to higher expectations in 2014? If they can't, it could be another long year in Beantown.

Season win total pick: Under

Philadelphia 76ers (2013-14: 19-63 SU, 36-46 ATS)

Odds to win division: 101-1
Season win total: 15

Why bet the 76ers: Because everyone is expecting the tank project to continue, and that will undoubtedly lead to inflated lines on a nightly basis. It's easy to forget that the Sixers had last year's Rookie of the Year in Michael Carter-Williams. He wasn't the only young talented player that emerged in Philly. The building blocks are in place for the Sixers to at least play competitive basketball, even if wins might be difficult to come by.

Why not bet the 76ers: Do you really want to back a team that may or may not be tanking? It wasn't just talk a year ago, the Sixers legitimately threw in the towel on the season and started looking toward the future no more than four games into the campaign. This is still a team that lacks the depth to win the close games, and with so much youth on the roster, the poise isn't there either.

Season win total pick: Over

Toronto Raptors (2013-14: 48-34 SU, 46-33-3 ATS)

Odds to win division: 2-1
Season win total: 48.5

Why bet the Raptors: Despite an early postseason exit, there were so many positives to talk about in Toronto last season. The Raptors were one of the hardest-working teams in the league, built in the mold of head coach Dwane Casey, and there's little reason to expect anything different this year. Thanks to residing up north the Raptors still don't get the credit they probably deserve, and that leads to consistently soft lines.

Why not bet the Raptors: Could a letdown be in order? The Raptors aren't exactly accustomed to success as a franchise, and there's some concern that we'll see a hangover from last spring's disappointing series loss to the Nets. Kyle Lowry signed a big contract in the offseason, but will he be able to live up to the lofty expectations? Simply put, Toronto could be set up to fail this season.

Season win total pick: Under

Brooklyn Nets (2013-14: 44-38 SU, 42-40 ATS)

Odds to win division: 3-1
Season win total: 41.5

Why bet the Nets: An injection of youth can't hurt a team that certainly looked old at times a year ago. New head coach Lionel Hollins is an upgrade over Jason Kidd. In fact, Hollins looks like an excellent fit to get the most out of this roster. Jarrett Jack could prove to be an underrated offseason pick-up.

Why not bet the Nets: Losing Paul Pierce hurts. While his on-court performance may have regressed, he's still one of the best leaders in the game. Deron Williams and Brook Lopez will be relied upon heavily, but both have proven fragile, not to mention streaky. Kevin Garnett is still a big part of what the Nets do at both ends of the floor, and that might not be a positive at this stage of his career.

Season win total pick: Over

New York Knicks (2013-14: 37-45 SU, 38-44 ATS)

Odds to win division: 3-1
Season win total: 40.5

Why bet the Knicks: Phil Jackson has taken over as president of basketball operations leading many to believe that the Knicks are ready to ascend the Eastern Conference and return to respectability. Carmelo Anthony is locked in, and as long as he's healthy, he's capable of carrying this team on his shoulders. Derek Fisher should provide plenty of energy in his first year as head coach.

Why not bet the Knicks: Haven't we heard all of this optimism in Manhattan before? The Knicks have disappointed year after year, and who's to say that this is the campaign that breaks the cycle. Carmelo doesn't have a standout supporting cast around him, and the Knicks still seem to get everyone's best shot at Madison Square Garden.

Season win total pick: Under

[Udog]

NBA roundup: Durant waits patiently for foot to heal

Kevin Durant says he will not rush back from surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot.

Durant could miss two months with the Oklahoma City Thunder, projecting his return close to Christmas from what the reigning MVP said is his first real injury. Surgeons placed a screw in Durant's right foot to promote healing. The surgery is not always necessary, but Durant opted after consulting several doctors to have the corrective procedure.

"It's something that's definitely going to help my foot and make it better in the long run," Durant said.

Durant said he had a heart-to-heart conversation with point guard Russell Westbrook to encourage the All-Star to take the reins of the team.

---Veteran guard John Lucas III signed a one-year deal with the Washington Wizards.

Lucas, undrafted in 2005 from Oklahoma State, spent his first six seasons with Houston, Chicago, Toronto and Utah. Lucas, 31, went to training camp with the Boston Celtics.

He has appeared in 216 career regular season games (eight starts) while averaging 4.8 points and 1.4 assists in 12.2 minutes. Last season, Lucas appeared in 42 games with Utah and averaged 3.8 points and 1.0 assists in 14.1 minutes.

---The Atlanta Hawks reduced their roster to 15 players on Tuesday by waiving forward Jarell Eddie and center Dexter Pittman.

The Hawks were left without roster spots for Eddie and Pittman after signing free-agents Thabo Sefolosha and Kent Bazemore and drafting center Adreian Payne during the offseason.

Eddie, a rookie from Virginia Tech, averaged 2.8 points in three preseason games. Pittman is a four-year NBA veteran who has spent time with the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and the Hawks.

---The Dallas Mavericks' experiment with Yuki Togashi lasted less than a week, as the team requested waivers on the 5-foot-7 Japanese point guard along with forward Eric Griffin on Tuesday.

Togashi, who weighs 143 pounds, was signed Oct. 15 but did not see any game action. He was most recently a member of the Mavericks' NBA Summer League team. In his four games, he averaged 5.3 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting .467 from the field. Togashi could land with the Mavs' D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

Griffin was signed July 18 after averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.3 steals and 19.3 minutes for the Mavericks' Las Vegas Summer League team. He saw action in two preseason games.

[Udog]

NBA Pacific Division betting preview: Disparity creating a two team race

There may be no division in the NBA with a bigger disparity between the top and the bottom. The Warriors and Clippers are both perennial contenders, but the Lakers and Kings are looking like they are several pieces away from really competing.

Here's a quick look at all five teams and where they stand entering the new campaign.

Golden State Warriors (2013-14: 51-31 SU, 41-38-3 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +165
Season Win Total: 51

Why Bet The Warriors: Golden State’s roster looks identical to last season when they won 51 games. The Warriors did add Shaun Livingston, Brandon Rush, and Leandro Barbosa to bolster their depth on the second unit. Golden State’s defense will be one of the best in the NBA with the hire of assistant coach Ron Adams who is a defensive wizard.

Why Not To Bet The Warriors: The team has a new head coach as Steve Kerr replaces Mark Jackson. The change took place after a difference in philosophy between Jackson and management. The players loved Jackson, and they’ve been vocal about their displeasure of the move. Kerr is also a former player in the league, so the team may come around sooner rather than later. Keep an eye on the situation.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 51 Wins


Los Angeles Clippers (2013-14: 57-25 SU, 46-35-1 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: -165
Season Win Total: 55

Why Bet The Clippers: Los Angeles is one of a handful of teams with a legitimate shot at winning the NBA championship this season. The Clippers have a formidable duo in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, and they got rid of some dead weight and brought in productive second unit players. Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in the league, and his second year in LA should be better than the first.

Why Not To Bet The Clippers: The franchise went thru an embarrassing soap opera with former owner Donald Sterling. With former Microsoft CEO Steven Ballmer now the owner, the fiasco should be in the past. But it will likely have a lingering effect this season since the situation is still fresh on everybody’s mind. Chris Paul has a history of getting injured, and if he misses significant time, the Clippers will fade fast.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 55 Wins


Los Angeles Lakers (2013-14: 27-55 SU, 40-40-2 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +6850
Season Win Total: 32.5

Why Bet The Lakers: Los Angeles had their worst record (27-55) in franchise history last season, so there’s plenty of motivation to improve. Kobe Bryant returns from injury along with additions Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer. The Lakers’ concerns are known, and they will be overcompensated in the pointspread. Los Angeles may be able to sneak up on teams, especially since they have proven NBA talent unlike last year when they played a slew of developmental league players.

Why Not To Bet The Lakers: This team is in desperate need of an overhaul. Los Angeles is old and slow, and the veterans are injury prone. The Lakers’ defense projects to be terrible this season, and since they do not possess an offense that can out-score opponents on a regular basis, it’s hard to envision much success this season. The Lakers will be hard-pressed to crack 30 wins overall.

Season Win Total Pick: Under 32.5 Wins


Phoenix Suns (2013-14: 48-34 SU, 52-29-1 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +1100
Season Win Total: 44

Why Bet The Suns: The Phoenix backcourt of Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic is tremendous, and they are exciting to watch. The Suns have one of the youngest teams in the league, so being naive to their accomplishments of last season is a good thing. Head coach Jeff Hornacek has the respect of his players, so further improvement in year two isn’t far fetched.

Why Not To Bet The Suns: Phoenix was the biggest surprise team in the NBA last season when they won 48 games as their season Over/Under win total was just 19.5 games. The Suns won’t be sneaking up on opponents this season, so don’t expect a repeat of many upsets like last year. Phoenix plays with a small lineup, so they are at a major disadvantage inside the paint. The Suns’ defense is also a liability now with the departure of Channing Frye.

Season Win Total Pick: Under 44 Wins


Sacramento Kings (2013-14: 28-54 SU, 37-42-3 ATS)

Odds To Win Division: +5850
Season Win Total: 30

Why Bet The Kings: Sacramento has a tremendous head coach in Mike Malone, and with DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, the Kings have some good pieces to work with. They underachieved last season, and they lost of a lot of close games. The Kings are better than perceived, so they may prove to be a tough out this season.

Why Not To Bet The Kings: The front office made a strange decision in letting point guard Isaiah Thomas go for nothing in return. The Kings will replace Thomas’ production with the combination of Darren Collison and Ray McCallum. On paper, that move looks twisted. Aside from Cousins and Gay, the Kings are made up of suspect role players that will be either hit or miss this season.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 30 Wins

[Udog]

NBA Northwest Division betting preview: Durant's injury tightens race

The Northwest Division just got a whole lot more interesting with Oklahoma City losing Kevin Durant for an extended period of time. It's still a top-heavy quintet, but the other four teams have to feel a little better about their chances with the Thunder down a superstar.

Here's a quick look at all five squads and where they stand entering the new campaign.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2013-14: 59-23 SU, 43-37-2 ATS)

Odds to win division: -300
Season win total: 54

Why bet the Thunder: Even with Kevin Durant sidelined, the Thunder are still one of the most talented teams in the Western Conference. They have the pedigree to take another run at the conference crown, and will certainly be highly motivated after an ugly exit at the hands of the Spurs in the 2013-14 postseason. With Durant worth a few points on the spread all on his own, we could see some value open up, particularly early in the season.

Why not bet the Thunder: Losing Durant is by no means a positive. The Thunder have become somewhat used to playing without one superstar, but that superstar is Russell Westbrook. For the time being, this will be Westbrook's team. How he handles the increased responsibility remains to be seen. Oklahoma City isn't as deep as it once was, so it will be interesting to see who steps up and fills the void.

Season win total pick: Over


Utah Jazz (2013-14: 25-57 SU, 33-43-6 ATS)

Odds to win division: +1,000
Season win total: 24.5

Why bet the Jazz: The cupboard is by no means bare for first year head coach Quin Snyder. It's a youthful roster, but not one that's short on talent. If the trio of Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and Trey Burke can play to their capabilities, the Jazz could surprise or at the very least avoid another embarrassing finish. Thanks to posting a conference-low 25 wins last year, expectations are extremely low and that could work in Utah's favor from a betting perspective.

Why not bet the Jazz: The Utah bench is rather weak, meaning an awful lot will be put on the shoulders of a young starting five. If one of the key cogs goes down to injury, things could unravel in a hurry. The reality is, the Jazz are probably at least a few years away from returning to playoff contention, even if the players quickly buy into Snyder's philosophy.

Season win total pick: Over


Portland Trail Blazers (2013-14: 54-28 SU, 44-38 ATS)

Odds to win division: +300
Season win total: 49

Why bet the Blazers: The injury to Kevin Durant could put a little extra hop in the Blazers step, as they have to feel they have a legitimate shot at stealing the division. Portland's bench held it back last year but the Blazers did make a couple of moves to improve that area, adding Chris Kaman and Steve Blake. Baby steps. The oddsmakers are expecting some regression, but on a game-to-game basis, Portland should still manage to record an above .500 ATS mark.

Why not bet the Blazers: There's a pretty thin line between contending and not in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Like most of the mid-level West squads, the Blazers are only one key injury away from taking a significant step back. They're led by a young star in Damian Lillard, but expectations are suddenly sky high. Could a letdown be in order?

Season win total pick: Over


Denver Nuggets (2013-14: 36-46 SU, 39-43 ATS)

Odds to win division: +100
Season win total: 42

Why bet the Nuggets: Injuries really took their toll in Denver last season. With a better roll of the dice in that regard, they could return to contention this year. Bringing Arron Afflalo back was an underrated move in my opinion. He adds to an already deep and talented roster. Brian Shaw is in his second year leading the team and has a lot to prove, but I expect him to get the most out of this roster.

Why not bet the Nuggets: Even if the Nuggets stay healthy, there's no guarantee they can slip past any of the playoff incumbents in the West. Denver doesn't seem to have the same home-court advantage it once enjoyed and injuries can't be entirely to blame. Will there be a chemistry issue with so many players in and out of the lineup a year ago?

Season win total pick: Under


Minnesota Timberwolves (2013-14: 40-42 SU, 39-43 ATS)

Odds to win division: +1,000
Season win total: 27

Why bet the Timberwolves: Kevin Love may be gone, but all is not lost in Minnesota. Bringing in the last two first overall draft picks in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett can't hurt. Mo Williams joins the fold and adds some leadership coming off the bench. Not much is expected of the Wolves and that should provide some line value as Minnesota will find itself in the double-digit underdog range on most nights.

Why not bet the Timberwolves: The West might just provide a little too much heavy lifting for a team that is looking toward the future. Flip Saunders isn't the answer as head coach of this young squad. Things could get ugly in a hurry at the defensive end of the floor and the offense will take time to gel. To put it simply, there are too many questions and not enough answers right now.

Season win total pick: Under

[Udog]

NBA Southwest Division betting preview: Toughest division in basketball

The defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs reside in the Southwest but one look at the odds to win the division and it’s clear that this is one of the more competitive groups in the NBA.

San Antonio Spurs (2013-2014: 62-20 SU)

Odds to Win Division: -170
Season Wins Total: 56

Why To Bet The Spurs: San Antonio breezed through the regular season finishing with the league's best record last year (62-20). The Spurs are a disciplined team and very well coached under Gregg Popovich. They haven't won less than 58 games in a full season since they win 50 in 2009-2010.

Why Not To Bet The Spurs: Tim Duncan is now 38 years old, Manu Ginobili is 37 and Tony Parker is pretty banged up for a 32 year old. It seems like people have been saying the Spurs are too old for years now and they continue to prove everyone wrong. Coming off another title, you have to wonder where the motivation is going to come from.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 56 wins.


New Orleans Pelicans (2013-2014: 34-48 SU)

Odds to Win Division: +2,000
Regular Season Wins Total: 43

Why To Bet The Pelicans: They have one of the brightest young stars in the league in Anthony Davis. The 21 year old led the team in scoring averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds. He also led the entire league in blocked shots. He'll have a little more help this year with Omar Asik coming over from Houston, and Jrue Holliday back from injury.

Why Not To Bet The Pelicans: As much as they might improve, they are still a long way from competing with the powerhouse teams in the Western Conference. This team relies heavily on a few key players and injuries could derail any hopes of showing an improvement this season.

Season Wins Total Pick: Over 43


Dallas Mavericks (2013-2014: 49-33 SU)

Odds to Win Division: +800
Regular Season Wins Total: 49

Why To Bet The Mavs: Dallas acquired Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton from New York, and Dirk Nowitzki's signing for just 25 million for three years allowed the Mavs to bring in Chandler Parsons via free agency. On paper, they look like a more talented team than they were a year ago.

Why Not To Bet The Mavs: They may have too many players on the wrong side of 30. Chandler Parsons and Monta Ellis are the only two players under 30 that will log any significant minutes this season.

Season Wins Total Pick: Under 49


Houston Rockets (2013-2014: 54-28 SU)

Odds to Win Division: +380
Regular Season Wins Total: 49

Why To Bet The Rockets: Houston finished second in the division last season, winning 54 games. The Rockets are asked to cover a smaller number this season. Dwight Howard and James Harden have developed a real Bromance, and they’ll continue to be effective playing together for just the second season.

Why Not To Bet The Rockets: They lost Chandler Parsons via free agency and let Jeremy Lin go to the Lakers. Omar Asik has moved on to New Orleans, and overall this team hasn't done enough to replace the talent that it lost.

Season Win Totals Picks: Under 49


Memphis Grizzlies (2013-2014: 50-32 SU)

Odds to Win Division: +800
Regular Season Wins: 49

Why To Bet The Grizzlies: Memphis got off to a slow start last year, partly due to injuries. The Grizzlies finished the season strong, winning 50 games and making the playoffs. The Grizz gave the Thunder a run for their money in the first round of the playoffs, but came up short in Game 7.

Why Not To Bet The Grizzlies: Their biggest problem in recent seasons is that they struggle to score. They ranked 27th in the NBA, averaging just 96 points per game last season. Bringing in a 37-year-old Vince Carter probably isn't going to be the answer.

Season Win Total Pick: Over 49