The 2021/22 NBA regular season will get underway next month, so it’s time to start getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and to resume an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.
With the help of the lines from a handful of sports betting sites, including Bovada and BetOnline, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
In 2020/21, our voters went 17-13 on their over/under picks. Can you top that in ’21/22?
As a reminder, the NBA played a 72-game schedule in 2020/21, so a team that won 41 games last year finished with a 41-31 record. This year, a club that wins 41 games would be a .500 team (41-41). For added clarity, we’ve noted the record that each team would have to achieve to finish “over” its projected win total.
We’ll turn today to the Northwest division…
Utah Jazz
- 2020/21 record: 52-20
- Over/under for 2021/22: 52.5 wins (53-29)
- Major offseason moves:
Trade Rumors app users, click here for Jazz poll.
Denver Nuggets
- 2020/21 record: 47-25
- Over/under for 2021/22: 48.5 wins (49-33)
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Jeff Green, Bones Hyland
- Lost: Paul Millsap, JaVale McGee
Trade Rumors app users, click here for Nuggets poll.
Portland Trail Blazers
- 2020/21 record: 42-30
- Over/under for 2021/22: 44.5 wins (45-37)
- Major offseason moves:
Trade Rumors app users, click here for Trail Blazers poll.
Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2020/21 record: 23-49
- Over/under for 2021/22: 34.5 wins (35-47)
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Patrick Beverley, Taurean Prince, Leandro Bolmaro
- Lost: Ricky Rubio, Jarrett Culver, Juan Hernangomez, Ed Davis
Trade Rumors app users, click here for Timberwolves poll.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2020/21 record: 22-50
- Over/under for 2021/22: 23.5 wins (24-58)
- Major offseason moves:
Trade Rumors app users, click here for Thunder poll.
Previous voting results:
- Brooklyn Nets (55.5 wins): Over (63.2%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (51.5 wins): Under (70.0%)
- Boston Celtics (46.5 wins): Over (58.1%)
- New York Knicks (42.5 wins): Over (65.1%)
- Toronto Raptors (36.5 wins): Under (50.6%)
Wolves won’t win 30 games
Thunder won’t win 20 games
Draft picks are future of the worst teams
When Wolves, Cavs and Kings trade for Simmons, the picks are lottery protected
Let’s wait and see
This division is going to be tight.
After injuries to Conley and Mitchell cost them in the semis I don’t think Utah is going to worry about seeding as much as making sure all the key pieces are healthy come playoff time. 50-32
A little bit of the same with Denver but not having Murray for a significant chunk of the season will hurt. Just having Jokic on your team though is going to win a lot of games. 47-35
Portland on the other hand does have something to prove and Larry Nance will make a difference just not enough. Still not enough talent to make a serious push. 43-39
This team is a dark horse. With D-lo, Towns and Edwards if healthy offense won’t be a problem. If they can somehow land Simmons without giving any of those 3 up. This is one team where he could make a huge difference as he wouldn’t have to score just play D and hit the scorers with good passes. As constructed today 41-41
Still don’t think OKC is going to try to win a bunch of games. Even with their rookies coming in Shai is the only player I see as part of a core. 21-61
It should be one of the more competitive divisions with Utah, Denver, and Portland. Obviously the Wolves are also a dark horse if they can find a way to fit the pieces they have together into a winning team, or at least a contender for the play-in tournament. And OKC ought to bring up the rear.
Utah and Denver should be really fighting for Western Conference champs along with the Lakers…on next tier would be Clippers, Mavs and Suns. So much comes down to injuries… having a deep roster is super important…even without Murray, Denver should compete for title…wolves and warriors and Mavs real interesting to watch regarding trades…am hoping Mavs can snare Dragic….thunder might win 10 games or so
I’m off the Nugget bangwagon this year. Team IQ disappointing. v
Jazz are still made to roll up scores, but are now more flexible. ^
Blazers got Nance & tooled the roster supporting on-off. ^
Wolves got a big boost from Bovada. Edwards’ obliviousness is an advantage. ^
OKC young, may not motivate Shai. v
DEN & MIN will be over, that is for sure!
UTA & POR will be under!
OKC… is hard to say, I am inclined for the over though!