2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Pacific Division

The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time for our annual tradition of previewing the season, division by division, by asking two very important questions for each team:

• What’s the case for the Over?

• What’s the case for the Under?

LET’S GET IT.

5. Sacramento Kings — 44.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

This is a TEAM that is out to prove last season was no fluke.

• The Fox and the Ox two-man game. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis inside-out duo led the charge for the best offense in the league, which has even more shooting this time.

  • Fox's mid-range game was absolute butter. He was smooth as can be in the clutch, leading the NBA in crunch time points en route to being crowned the Clutch Player of the Year. Time and time again Fox came up big when the Kings needed him most.

  • Sabonis finished the season with 14 triple-doubles, second-most in the NBA. He was a rebounding machine, leading the league in total rebounds with 70 more than second place and 156 more than third (!!).

• Keegan Murray looked soo good in Summer League. Don’t forget that he shot over 40 percent from 3 as a rookie.

• Speaking of over 40 percent from 3, that’s exactly Kevin Huerter did last season. And they say that rookie Sasha Vezenkov is the best shooter of the bunch.

• Malik Monk is the sixth-man gunner, always ready to explode off the bench. In the 22 games that Monk scored 17+ points last season, the Kings went 17-5.

• The Kings added an additional veteran and big man presence in JaVale McGee.

• They also took a flier on Chris Duarte, a player we always liked when healthy on the Pacers.

• If Davion Mitchell finds his 3-point shot, look out. We know that Off Night will bring the defensive prowess and intensity on a nightly basis.

• Iron Man Harrison Barnes played all 82 games and led the team in free throws made. He’s back to be the veteran leader.

• Mike Brown, the 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year, instilled confidence and trust in this group. It took just two games for Mike Brown to put Keegan Murray into the starting lineup.  (It would have taken Luke Walton two months just like it did with Haliburton.)

The Kings were an absolute wagon on home last year. LIGHT the MF BEAM.

What’s the case for the Under?

Teams will be a lot more ready for the Kings this season.

• There are still some questions defensively. The Kings had the No. 24 defense.

• The Kings had really good injury luck last season. (Although Sabonis played through a broken thumb and that luck ran out in the playoffs when Fox got hurt.)

• Can they replicate last season’s 3-point shooting?

• The Kings won the Pacific division last season, but they have the fewest Over/Under wins total of the bunch. Vegas does not believe in them.

Or does Vegas think that the public won’t believe in them

Final prediction: WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE IN THE BEAM. Over 44.5 wins.

4. Los Angeles Clippers — 46.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

If Kawhi and PG were healthy for an entire season… it almost seems like they are due at this point. (But that also might just be the definition of insanity.)

• You would think that now more than ever Kawhi and PG want to turn the narrative surrounding them and this Clippers team around.

• Having Westbrook’s motor from the jump will help instill life to this slow and old team.

• Norm Powell off the bench. Powell scored the most bench points in the league last season.

• The Terance Mann leap. This could be the year. Ty Lue might finally unleash him.

• Ty Lue X’s and O’s. The Clippers might put more of an emphasis on the regular season this year, knowing they have to in order to have a chance at the playoffs or play-in.

• There are some high-energy players off the bench here in Bones and Mason Plumlee. Also the newly acquired Kenyon Martin, a ferocious power dunker and rebounder.

• Xavier Moon did some things in the preseason.

• We have always been fond of Amir Coffey. The Brewmaster!

Perhaps when the Clippers are counted out with low expectations is when they surprise the most.

What’s the case for the Under?

It’s simple: We can’t count on PG and Kawhi to stay healthy.

• This is still true: Neither Kawhi or PG have ever played more than 57 games in a Clippers uniform.

• It’s hard to get in a good rhythm when guys are load managing and constantly in and out of the lineup.

• Where is the 3-point shooting?

• This team is old as shit. Seven players with 10+ years in the league!? Yikes.

• The vets rounding out this team just feel so washed: Westbrook, Morris, RoCo and BATUM.

It’s the Clippers.

Final prediction: In a young man’s game, this team is just too old for our liking. Under 46.5 wins.

3. Golden State Warriors — 47.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

It still has to be said: Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

• Steph, Klay and Dray are all still here.

  • Steph is still more than capable at playing at the top of his game.

  • Klay is on an expiring contract, playing for next and possibly last big pay day. Who led the NBA in made 3-pointers last season? That would be Captain Klay Thompson.

  • Draymond is already dealing with an injury, but the Warriors choosing him over Poole has to mean a lot to him.

• Chris Paul’s last hurrah. It’s weird to see CP3 in a Warriors uniform, but he’s going to help this team, especially while Draymond is out at the beginning. And to go from Jordan Poole’s erratic tendencies to Chris Paul’s steadiness could have a huge impact.

• Additionally, no more Jordan Poole can be addition by subtraction. Not having to deal with the aftermath of the Poole-Draymond drama from last season will do wonders for the vibes.

• Andrew Wiggins missed a large portion of last year for personal reasons. The Warriors really missed him and it threw off this team.

• A breakout season for one of the youngin’s. Kuminga and Moddy both looked good in the preseason, especially Kuminga. It might just be KUM BUCKET SZN.

• A full season of Gary Payton II. GP2’s defense is vital to this team.

• Iron Man Kevon Looney is one of, if not THE, most dependable player in the league, playing all 82 games for two straight seasons, the only player to pull that off.

• Rookie Brandin Podziemski is a player people are fond of.

• The homie Dario Saric. A team player if there ever was one.

• We have always been a fan of Usman Garuba, his high motor and energy should be welcome.

Strength in Numbers?

What’s the case for the Under?

This team is actually pretty old. Older teams are more prone to injury issues.

• Draymond is already out dealing with a sprained ankle suffered in a pickup game before training camp. Cory Joseph is already dealing with a back injury as well.

• It once seemed like this team had a rare blend of Championship equity with a clear bridge to the future, but Wiseman and Poole are already gone. And if Kuminga and Moody don’t pan out, perhaps the Warriors will move on from them, too.

• Donte DiVincenzo was an underrated and important part of Golden State last season. The Big Ragu was sixth on the team in minutes played. The Big Ragu is now in the Big Apple.

• New management at the helm. Bob Myers was a very unheralded part of the dynastic Warriors run.

The Warriors might try to save some gas for the postseason. They’ve been around the block before.

Final prediction: Sticking with the theme of fading old teams this season. Under 47.5 wins.

2. Los Angeles Lakers — 47.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Promises made, promises kept.

Rob Pelinka has filled out this roster surrounding LeBron and AD with a great blend of shooting and defense, the exact needed ingredients all along.

• Year 21 LeBron. He still has his speed, strength and burst. The Lakers will not have to rely on him as much this season.

• Anthony Davis turned back into the Bubble AD version of old, wreaking havoc on defense and scoring in bunches in the paint.

• Austin Reaves emerged as arguably the Lakers third best player this season. He was the precise type of guy they needed: a ball-mover that could get to the line, create offense and knock down open 3s. Reaves was third on the Lakers in win shares, just a shade behind LeBron.

• No more Russ from the jump. The Lakers finally spread their wings once Russ was finally sent packing. It was with D-Lo, Vanderbilt and Hachimura, who are all back in the purple and gold.

• This team has real depth with solid additions made in the offseason: Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince are sound role players. They also took fliers on the talents of Christian Wood, Reddish and Jaxson Hayes.

• Don’t sleep on Max Christie, the sophomore can shoot it.

• Darvin Ham. A players coach who the players love.

The Lakers won 43 games last season despite one of the worst shooting starts in NBA history with a 2-10 record to start.

What’s the case for the Under?

The health of AD and LeBron will always be the first thing mentioned here.

• LeBron is averaging 56 games played in a Lakers uniform. AD? 49.

• The new pieces could take some time to mesh. Of the players in top 10 minutes played on the Lakers last season, only LeBron, AD and Reaves return.

• Some of those new pieces are known as being head cases: Reddish, Wood and Hayes.

• Could there be too many guys here that will want playing time?

The Lakers always have a target on their back. Everybody gets up to play the Lake Show.

Final prediction: What we saw from the Lakers after the trade deadline and in the playoffs last year is an automatic Over 47.5 wins.

1. Phoenix Suns — 51.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Without a doubt, there is star-studded firepower here with scoring from all levels.

This offense should be LETHAL.

• KD on the court is still an ultimate scoring machine. His defense somehow remains underrated.

• Devin Booker will have his most room to cook yet. Book’s skills as a passer will come to fruition this season as he’s asked to run a lot of point.

• Bradley Beal has never played with talent like this. Those Wizards teams never set the stage for him anywhere close to what this season brings in the desert.

• The vibes of not having Deandre Ayton around. Monty Williams, too, for that matter.

• New head coach Frank Vogel, a proven coach with a winning track record. Vogel is a defensive mastermind who will put in the defensive schemes for this team to succeed.

• The Suns filled out the rest of the roster about as well as you could for only having minimums available.

• Very capable defenders are here in Josh Okogie and Yuta Watanabe.

• We still have our cabin on Saben Lee island. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity for him.

Sometimes an incredible offense is a good defense unto itself, limiting transition and easy bucket opportunities.

What’s the case for the Under?

There is absolutely ZERO continuity here. An entirely new roster and team.

• Booker and Beal can run some pseudo point, yes, but is there even an established backup point guard here?

• Vogel is a defensive-minded coach but this isn’t exactly a defensive-oriented roster.

• Going from Ayton to Nurkic is a downgrade. Nurk actually looked pretty washed in Portland. But you probably weren’t watching Blazers games to notice.

• Health is a concern. KD always misses time. Beal for the most part, too.

The Suns probably won’t care as much about the regular season. They are playing for June.

Final prediction: This offense is going to be too good. Over 51.5 wins.

____________________________________

We. Are. Back!

OPENING NIGHT is TUESDAY.

Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets - 7:30pm

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors - 10:00pm on TNT

Season Preview Division by Division

We love this game!

2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Atlantic Division

The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time for our annual tradition of previewing the season, division by division, by asking two very important questions for each team:

• What’s the case for the Over?

• What’s the case for the Under?

LET’S GET IT.

5. Brooklyn Nets — 37.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The VIBES, man.

Last season was all about moving on from another disastrous attempt to bring superstar talent to Brooklyn, and now this Nets team is free at last, FREE AT LAST.

• The new-look Nets were frisky after the trade deadline as Mikal Bridges blossomed as the team’s No. 1 option with the highest offensive freedom and usage of his career.

• What if… what if Ben Simmons was healthy and played good basketball again? He actually did look promising in the preseason!

• Spencer Dinwiddie’s return to Brooklyn went mostly under the radar. From March 1 to the end of last season, Dinwiddie averaged 16 points and 10 assists per game.

• Cam Johnson inked a 4-year, $108 million contract extension after averaging a career high in points and minutes per game in his 25 games with a Nets jersey on.

• Scoring machine Cam Thomas. People forget that around the trade deadline there was a three-game stretch where Cam Thomas went absolutely BANANAS, scoring 44, 47 and 43 points in consecutive games.

• Offseason additions include Lonnie Walker, Darius Bazley and Dennis Smith Jr. Both Walker and DSJ had respective bounce-back seasons last year in LA and Charlotte.

• Brooklyn had back-to-back first-round picks: No. 21 Noah Clowney from Alabama and No. 22 Dariq Whitehead from Duke. Clowney is a 6-foot-10 versatile defender who should help with the Nets rebounding and Whitehead is a 6-foot-7 athletic wing also known for his intensity on defense.

• Speaking of, the Nets should have a strong, switchable defense.

• There is no reason to tank here. Brooklyn’s pick is going to Houston, unprotected.

Don’t underestimate a full season of good vibes. The atmosphere around Barclays is going to be so much more relaxed.

What’s the case for the Under?

It’s the Nets. They’ve gone Under in three out of the last four years. And that was with KD and Kryie.

• Is Mikal Bridges really a No. 1 option? His numbers shot up because of all those shots per game.

• Can the offense hang with teams that have a lot of firepower?

• Can they handle teams with bruising size inside?

• Counting on Ben Simmons… does not have a good track record of coming through.

The Nets are a candidate to trade some of the current redundancy on the roster. Other teams would love have to have a Royce O’Neal or DFS.

Final prediction: 37.5 feels like a sharp line. Because of the vibes, give us the Over 37.5 wins.

4. Toronto Raptors — 37.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Raptors are notorious for overachieving, especially when their expectations are low.

• Pascal Siakam shined in the midst of a career year last season, averaging his most points and assists per game while playing the most minutes per game in the league. He did not make All-NBA, but he was an All-Star for the second time in his career. And it sure seems like Masai has tried lighting a fire under him going into this year.

• Scottie Barnes is primed for a bounce back after a bit of a sophomore slump. Expectations are everything. And so is opportunity.

• OG Anunoby has survived all of the trade talks (thus far). He will be motivated to prove his worth and will have more responsibility with FVV gone.

• Dennis Schroder is here now. Schroder was the MVP of FIBA, helped the Lakers a ton last season and let’s also not forget that he was very much involved in the Thunder’s Young Surprise Team of 2019-20, putting up 19 points per game in 30 mins off the bench, nearly winning 6th Man of the Year.

• Jakob Poeltl in The 6 for a full season means the Raptors will have a true center from the jump. Precious Achiuwa was injured for a lot of last season.

• No. 13 overall pick Gradey Dick from Kansas has been a winner on every level. The Raptors need his shooting.

• Otto Porter Jr. was a complete non-factor last season, playing just eight games due to injury. OPJ can contribute to winning basketball.

Perhaps new head coach Darko Rajakovic can unlock a half-court offense for the Raptors, an area that has plagued them for years.

What’s the case for the Under?

A master of the retool, Masai has never done a full rebuild. Could it be time? He has Scottie for the foundation and Siakam and Anunoby would be prized trade chips.

• The vibes on media day sure seemed ominous. Not the best start.

• An unproven head coach in Darko Rajakovic, who already appears not on the same page as his players. His hiring alone could suggest that a rebuild is on the way…

• No more FVV leaves a hole in terms of leadership and offensive guiding. VanVleet to Schroder is a downgrade.

• Can this team ever find a good half-court offense?

The Raptors first-round pick goes to the Spurs from last year’s Poeltl trade, but it is top-6 protected… so they might eventually shut it down to try to keep it.

Final prediction: The threat of blowing it up is too severe for us this time around. Under 37.5 wins.

3. New York Knicks — 45.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Knicks have a solid foundation of continuity, returning nine of their top 10 from last season in terms of games played and win shares.

• Jalen Brunson transformed this offense last season and became the newest King of New York. The Knicks’ offense was so much more organized and free-flowing.

• A motivated Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, forever trying to win the approval of the city and Thibs.

• Immanuel Quickley’s bench output helped put the Knicks over the top on many occasions last year. His 3-point shooting and playmaking spark were vital to Knicks Ws. After All-Star, Quickley averaged 21-4-4 and his defense took a major step forward.

• A full season of Josh Hart’s do-everything services. The Knicks were at their best after acquiring Hart at the trade deadline, closing the season strong for the second straight year, winning 20 of 30 games while rocking the No. 2 offense in the league.

• A solid frontcourt duo of Mitchell Robinson, a.k.a. Mitchell Blockinson and the still vastly underrated Isaiah Hartenstein, coming off an all 82-game Iron Man season.

• Donte DiVincenzo brings in additional shooting and rebounding from the guard position.

• Thibs loves to try to eek out every possible win, sometimes to the detriment to his team (a.k.a. running his guys into the ground), but you would think he’s trying to cash the Over on wins.

The Knicks got a taste last season, their first playoff series victory in forever. They should be hungry for more.

What’s the case for the Under?

The Knicks and high expectations do not have the best history.

• Sometimes Thibs runs his teams and players into the ground. And Year 4 Thibs? He tends to wear out his welcome.

• The Knicks might try to experiment some in the regular season to find the right potions for the postseason.

• The top of the East got decidedly better with the Bucks and Celtics making major moves.

• Will there be enough 3-point shooting here? That’s an area where the Knicks struggled for the majority of last season.

• Can Brunson and Quickley replicate their breakout seasons offensively?

• No more Obi Toppin will be a detriment to the transition (and power dunking) game.

It almost feels like things have been running a little too smooth for the Knicks lately…

Final prediction: We like to bet on continuity. Over 45.5 wins.

2. Philadelphia 76ers — 47.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Two years ago when Ben Simmons sat out, and before the Sixers got Harden, this team was good and ended up winning 51 games.

• The Sixers still have the reigning MPV in Joel Embiid, who probably now more than ever just wants to go out there and hoop. Embiid is an absolute wrecking ball in the regular season.

• Tyrese Maxey keeps getting better. How high can he go? Maxey’s continued ascension might overcome a missing Harden completely. The ball being in Maxey’s hands more will be a good thing. The Sixers numbers last season with Embiid and Maxey on the floor with Harden off were insane, +13 points per 100.

• There is always the possibility that Harden shows up and just plays… how else is he going to get paid? How else is he going to prove his worth for his last contract in the league?

• Melton next to Maxey more could be the better backcourt combo anyway. Melton’s defense is world’s better than Harden’s.

• Tobias Harris… sometimes he shows up when Philly needs him most.

• There are some fresh-faced vets in Philly to round out the roster in Pat Bev, Danny Green and Dewayne Dedmon.

• A flier on Mo Bamba. Why not? Maybe he just needed to get to Philly for Embiid to show him the way.

No more Doc. Nick Nurse is widely regarded as a tremendous X’s and O’s guy who is always prepared.

What’s the case for the Under?

If worst comes to worst… Embiid is beyond frustrated and asks to be traded. (Somebody check on Chris Ryan.)

• Harden could always show up and put on the fat suit and try to really sabotage this ship. He’s proven to be pretty good at that.

• There is the possibility that the vets picked up here are found to be washed.

• If Embiid misses any time… the Sixers have been able to stay afloat without him in recent years, but if they also don’t have Harden…

• No more Doc. He was a good regular season wins head coach. And an adjustment period might be needed to get used to a new head coach in Nick Nurse. Is he really a Philly guy?

The vibes are just not good, man.

Final prediction: We believe too much in what we saw two years ago without Simmons and before Harden. Over 47.5 wins.

1. Boston Celtics — 55.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Perhaps the roster shakeup is the breath of fresh air that the Celtics needed.

• Marcus Smart, Time Lord and Malcom Brogdon are out, but Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are IN. Holiday is a better playmaker than Smart (and arguably a better defender as well) and Porzingis just had his best season yet in D.C. and looked fantastic in the preseason.

• The J-Team will have their best spacing yet. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the rare durable, dynamic wing duo. Could Tatum’s MVP season be loading?

• Brown got paid big (BIG) money this summer. Maybe that will ease the previous tension. Also having Smart out of the locker room. And Grant Williams, too, for that matter.

• A bigger role for Derrick White. White is regarded as one of the best defenders in the NBA. The Celtics will need him to step up more than ever.

• Payton Pritchard was sniping in preseason. He got his money as well. Pritchard could be gunning for 6th man of the Year, trying to keep it in Boston.

• Don’t sleep on a few of the under-the-radar pickups. Oshae Brissett and Lamar Stevens can play. We liked what we saw from Delano Banton in Toronto.

• Head coach Joe Mazulla will have some help this season with assistant coaches by his side, most notably Sam Cassell. Jeff Van Gundy was also hired as a senior assistant.

After how they went out to the Heat last year, Tatum and Brown feel like they have something to prove.

What’s the case for the Under?

The overall team continuity is out the window. The Celtics are now without 4 of the top 8 players in minutes played last year, an ECF team that was one win away from The Finals.

• The previous heart and soul of the team in Marcus Smart is gone. Who will be the hard-nosed leader?

• This team is razor THIN. What happens if and when Horford and Porzingis miss time?

• Horford is 37 and Holiday will turn 34 next summer.

• There is LOT of pressure on Joe Mazz to deliver results this season.

The Celtics still do not have a true table-setting starting point guard. And their 6th Man of the Year, Brogdon, who handled a lot of those duties is gone.

Final prediction: This number is too high for the possibility of an injury to derail it. Under 53.5 wins.

____________________________________

We. Are. Back!

OPENING NIGHT is TUESDAY.

Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets - 7:30pm

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors - 10:00pm on TNT

Season Preview Division by Division

We love this game!

2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Central Division

The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time for our annual tradition of previewing the season, division by division, by asking two very important questions for each team:

• What’s the case for the Over?

• What’s the case for the Under?

LET’S GET IT.

5. Detroit Pistons — 27.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Cade Cunningham played just 12 games last season, so it’s difficult to take too much of last season into account with the Pistons. They didn’t stand a chance without Cade.

• A healthy Cade with a chip on his shoulder. He’s the engine to the Pistons offense.

• Detroit’s offense without Cade last season featured a ton of Bojan Bogdanovic, who was still able to shoot 41.1 percent from 3 on six attempts per game as the team’s No. 1 option.

• Jaden Ivey started the most games for the Pistons last season at 73. Ivey’s speed and unselfishness have translated nicely to the NBA.

• No. 5 overall pick Ausar Thompson is a two-way athlete, exactly what the Pistons needed.

• Jalen Duren looked like a double-double machine last year as a rookie. James Wiseman has already looked world’s better in Detroit than he ever did in Golden State. Sometimes the opportunity presented can be everything.

• The Pistons added shooting in Joe Harris and veteran leadership with Joe Harris and Monte Morris. Morris is a professional point guard who started 74 games for a 48-win Nuggets team two years ago, averaging 4.4 assists in 30 mins per game.

• Beef Stew and Bags! Isiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley III pose an interesting frontcourt pairing.

• Killian Hayes has been the talk of camp and the preseason. Somebody check on KOC!

Dwane Casey is out and Monty Williams and his six-year, $78.5 million contract is IN. The Pistons must really believe in Monty.

What’s the case for the Under?

The Pistons haven’t won more than 23 games since 2018-19.

• This team is extremely young and will focus on player development.

• Detroit had a not so great showing in Summer League.

• They didn’t cash in on Bogdanovic at last year’s deadline, which was surprising, but this year could be a different story. He’s the veteran asset that other teams will want.

• Somebody is going to have to be the punching bag of the Central division.

The Pistons won 17 games last season. Can they really win 11 more than that?

Final prediction: Detroit is a year away. Under 27.5 wins.

4. Chicago Bulls — 37.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Bulls were a good team for the last three months of the season with a lot of momentum going after the All-Star break, rocking a 14-9 record after All-Star and the No. 1 defense after January 1st.

• Crunch time was an issue in Chicago all of last season. The Bulls held the 4th-worst clutch record in the NBA at 15-23 after being 4th-best and 25-16 the season prior with all of DeRozan’s late-game heroics. If they turn their crunch time issues around, more wins will follow.

• DeRozan is still the grand master of the mid-range. A lost art that he has perfected.

• When LaVine’s 3-point shot is falling through, the Bulls thrive. In the 33 games last season that LaVine shot better than 37 percent from 3, the Bulls were 27-6. In all other games, the Bulls went 13-36.

• The Bulls are actually basking in continuity — this will be the third full season of DeRozan, LaVine, Vooch, Pat Williams, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu all playing together.

• Pat Willy joined Vooch as an 82-game Iron Man last season and constantly guarded the opposing team’s best player. And yet, Billy Donovan did not always trust him during the game’s most crucial moments. Pat-Pat still goes through too many stretches of bewildering unaggressive-ness. But the talent is there.

• Alex Caruso, fresh off a 1st-team All-Defense selection, will have additional defensive-minded players in Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig, who can also provide much-needed 3-point shooting and floor spacing.

• Coby White got better last season and showed flashes in the preseason, big hair is back and everything!

• Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artuas Karnisovas has said that changing their shot profile will be a priority going into this season. 3-pointers and free throw attempts. The Bulls attempted the fewest 3s in the league last season, shooting 15 less 3s per game than league-leading Golden State. They were also bottom-5 in free throws attempted. They were at a numbers disadvantage.

• Dalen Terry, the Bulls No. 18 pick in the 2022 draft, played in just 38 games and averaged only 5.6 minutes last year. Terry remains an unknown at this point, but perhaps we will find out.

The Bulls continually put off their full-on rebuild. What’s another year?

What’s the case for the Under?

Teams in the East loaded up, and the Bulls added Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig.

• How much does DeRozan have left in the tank?

• If things start slow and choppy, they could finally decide to pull the plug and blow it up.

• It may just not happen for Pat Williams. He might just be an inconsistent and unassertive player.

• What surprises could we actually have in store here? Do we not know exactly what this team is?

The ghost of what this team could have been with Lonzo lingers within.

Final prediction: This feels like a .500 team. Over 37.5 wins.

3. Indiana Pacers — 38.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Pacers are fresh off being a Young Surprise Team last year, winning 35 games after having a preseason Over/Under of just 23.5 wins.

Indiana was also on pace to win even more games but had the wheels fall off when Haliburton missed time with an injury. On Jan. 12, the Pacers were 23-19, the sixth-best record in the East, and on pace for 45 wins. (They lost 9 of the next 10 games, toast without Haliburton.)

• With Haliburton in the preseason, the Pacers have showed more crisp ball movement and spacing, vivacious energy and stout 3-point shooting. They are unselfish and look for assists.

• The talent that is Benedict Mathurin, who had an excellent rookie season as a 6th-man gunner, 17 points per game off the bench. Mathurin stays getting to the basket with a relentless attack.

• Myles Turner got paid, signing a well-deserved extension back in January, finally removing him from the forever trading block. Turner played 62 games, his most since 2019-20. And he took his scoring up a big level to 18 points a night while remaining top 5 in the NBA in total blocks.

• Bruce Brown is the exact type of plug-and-play into any lineup type of player with defensive chops that the Pacers needed.

• The Pacers also traded two future 2nd-round picks to the Knicks for Obi Toppin. Toppin’s biggest strength is his transition rim-running game, which should fit seamlessly and truly be unleashed here with Haliburton running Indiana’s top-flight fast break arsenal.

• Two first-round picks include Jarace Walker at No. 8 overall and Ben Sheppard at No. 26. Walker is a 6-foot-8 240-lb defensive tank from Houston and Sheppard is a 22-year-old 6-foot-6 sharpshooter from Belmont.

Rick Carlisle previously was not a coach known for utilizing rookies, but perhaps Mathurin’s success last season will persuade him give Walker and Sheppard a real shot.

What’s the case for the Under?

If Haliburton goes down at any point like he did last year, the ship will start to sink.

• The Buddy Hield situation is not a great start. If he’s moved, they will miss his reliable 3-point shooting.

• Will Myles Turner be as motivated after getting his extension and finally being off the trading block?

• Will Rick Carlisle trust the young guys, or was last year an outlier in that regard?

• Defensively, can they get enough stops?

Final prediction: We are ALL-IN on this Pacers team. Over 38.5 wins.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers — 50.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Cavs were an excellent regular season team last year, winning 51 games behind the No. 1 defense and a top-10 offense, good for the 2nd-best net rating in the league.

• Cleveland has a star-studded backcourt in Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, providing 50 points and 12 assists per game last year. Staggering Mitchell and Garland gives the Cavs a main scorer and facilitator on the court all night long.

• And on the inside, the Cavs have the Block Brothers, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, forever roaming the paint and protecting the rim, the backbone to that No. 1 defense in the league a season ago.

• There is more help here offensively, especially in the shooting department, with the acquisitions of Max Strus and Georges Niang. Strus and Niang can be that missing stretch 4 that can knock down the 3-ball that the Cavs were missing.

• Don’t sleep on Ty Jerome, who had a very underrated season for the Warriors last season.

• Emoni Bates looked good in the preseason.

• This team plays with joy and togetherness and has a strong foundation of young continuity built in.

The Cavs will be motivated with a bad taste in their mouth after last year’s first-round playoff exit / shellacking handed to them by the Knicks.

What’s the case for the Under?

Did the Knicks put together the blueprint for how to stop this Cavs team?

• Other teams atop the East got decidedly better, making big moves. (i.e. Dame and Holiday.)

• Can the Cavs replicate last season’s No. 1 defense with the undersized backcourt of Mitchell and Garland?

• Ricky Rubio is out for personal reasons for an undermined amount of time.

• There are some overall depth questions here.

Perhaps the Cavs will prioritize experimenting in the regular season, knowing that their true judgement comes in the postseason.

Final prediction: This team feels destined to roll in the regular season. Over 50.5 wins.

1. Milwaukee Bucks — 53.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Dame D.O.L.L.A.’s arrival to Milwaukee means both Giannis and Dame get to play with their best teammates ever.

• Giannis paired with Dame is going to be a LETHAL 2-man game.

• The Bucks previous late-game offense problem should be solved with Dame Time.

• Giannis and Brook Lopez are the ideal big-man rim-protecting frontcourt to have behind Dame. (Speaking of Brook Lopez, Robin is in Milwaukee now, too, so the Lopez Bros are reunited!)

• A healthy Khris Middleton would be a boon. Middleton has not looked like himself since going down in the 2021-22 playoffs.

• Bobby Portis (2-time t-shirt All-Star!) is the 6th man you can rely on.

• Having Jae Crowder from the jump should help the wing defense.

• Marjon Beauchamp had a stellar preseason. The Bucks put a lot of trust in Beauchamp when they moved Grayson Allen in the Dame trade.

• Don’t sleep on Malik Beasley getting hot from 3. He’s very capable of having a microwave game with 5+ made 3-pointers.

• No more Coach Bud. It was time to move on. New head coach Adrian Griffin could be the new blood needed to get to this group.

The Bucks (and in particular Giannis) will be extremely motivated after getting embarassed by the Heat in the first round.

What’s the case for the Under?

There could be an adjustment period for new the personnel and the new coaching to get familiar with one another.

• Swinging for the fences with Dame depleted the depth here. This is not a deep roster.

• There are kind of a lot of eggs in Jae Crowder’s basket to be a stout wing defender on a nightly basis.

• Will we get back the old Khris Middleton? He has yet to look the same after his last injury. Not everybody gets it back.

• Milwaukee will have an emphasis on the postseason and will probably tinker in the regular season to find what works with this group, especially offensively.

• Coach Bud did do some tinkering in the regular season, but he also had the regular season formula down pretty well.

• New head coach Adrain Griffin already ran assistant coach and beloved Terry Stotts out of town!?

Final prediction: The Terry Stotts drama is enough for us to go Under 53.5 wins.

____________________________________

We. Are. Back!

OPENING NIGHT is TUESDAY.

Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets - 7:30pm

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors - 10:00pm on TNT

Season Preview Division by Division

We love this game!

2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Southwest Division

The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time for our annual tradition of previewing the season, division by division, by asking two very important questions for each team:

• What’s the case for the Over?

• What’s the case for the Under?

LET’S GET IT.

5. San Antonio Spurs — 29.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The constant theme here for the last 25 years: Where there is a Pop, there is a way.

• His name is Victor Wembanyama. Maybe you’ve heard of him. It’s Wemby time down in San An. The 7-foot-4 French giant is the game’s most heralded prospect since LeBron and so far he looks every bit worth the hype. He’s going to be a defensive MENACE.

• Off that notion, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Wemby is a fierce defensive backbone for a team that finished last in defensive efficiency last season. The Spurs can only go up on that side of the ball.

  • Vassell got paid and might be the most underrated player in the league. Not for long. People will learn the name.

  • Sochan’s hair, defense and rebounding are all as good as advertised. Even better, really. Not even Rodman himself could do a better Rodman impression.

• Keldon Johnson struggled with his efficiency (45 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from 3, career-worst numbers) for large portions of last season as defenses were able to key all the way into the Spurs’ 23-year-old No. 1 option. Keldon eventually found his shot, making 44 percent of his 3s in March, and he did still average a career-high 22 points per game. He should have a lot more room to work this season.

• Malaki Branham had some eye-popping games toward the end of the season as a 19-year-old rookie. Not only did Branham start 32 games for the Spurs, but he had 10 games of 20+ points. Nine of those occurred after the start of February.

• Tre Jones played in the most games for the Spurs last season at 68, and he doubled his career average in points (12.9) and assists (6.6). Jones notched two triple-doubles during the last week of the season, including one against his hometown Minnesota Timberwolves.

• Shout out to Zach Collins who played his most games in a season (63) since 2018-19. He also averaged a career-high in almost every statistical category, putting up 11-6-3 in 23 minutes a night. Collins just inked a two-year extension for $35 milly.

• Shout out as well to 31-year-old Doug McDermott who shot above 40 percent from 3 for the sixth time in his nine-year career.

• The Spurs picked up Cedi Osman in the offseason. Osman can shoot it and everybody likes him.

Despite having the second-worst offense in the league last season, the Spurs were top 5 in assists per game, a Pop staple. They were also No. 2 in points in the paint and top 5 in second-chance points.

What’s the case for the Under?

The Spurs will probably take their time with Wemby, easing him into things and being careful with the long game in mind.

• In games without Wemby, the Spurs will probably look similar to how they did last season.

• The 3-point shooting here as a whole is a question. Will they have enough shooting and spacing?

• There is not much depth, either, lacking a lot of overall firepower and supreme talent throughout the roster.

The Spurs did have the worst net rating in the NBA last season.

Final Prediction: Pop + Wemby = Over 29.5 wins.

4. Houston Rockets — 31.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Going from Stephen Silas to Ime Udoka… there might not be a bigger jump to make at the head coaching position.

• This team is going to have so much more structure and offensive direction, accountability and stability.

• Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks are here. Say what you will about the price of this backcourt ($210 million, gulp) and the shooting (GULP), but they will bring veteran leadership and defensive intensity.

• One of the crazier bellwether stats of the 2022-23 season: When Jalen Green played and scored 24+ points, the Rox were 16-17. When Green played and scored less than 24 points, the Rockets had a record of 4-39. JG4 will have so much more space this season.

• Jabari Smith Jr. sure looked good in Summer League and preseason He kept improving last season, too. The Locksmith might be in store for a huge leap in Year 2.

• Alperen Sengun. Al P took his scoring up a level last season with an increase in minutes played. His role as a facilitator continues to make him look like a Walmart Jokic. He is not afraid to try any pass. The higher the difficulty, the more he likes it.

• The rookies. No. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson and No. 20 pick Cam Whitmore. Thompson’s speed jumps off the screen and so does Whitmore’s size.

• A true defensive identity with Brooks, the Locksmith, Jae’Sean Tate and Tari Eason.

• Jeff Green is back in H-Town, a vet’s vet with 15 years experience. (Oh snap, the Rockets have two J. Green’s)

• Addition by subtraction: Kevin Porter Jr. is gone. His distractions and turnovers won’t be missed.

The Rockets were No. 1 in the NBA in 2nd-chance points last season and also the No. 1 offensive-rebounding team in the league.

What’s the case for the Under?

Sometimes the stench of losing lingers. The Rockets have won less than 23 games for three straight seasons.

• An offensively challenged team added FVV and Dillon Brooks.

• Brooks has talked so much trash that most of the league will be coming for him.

• The Rockets have had a serious turnover problem that isn’t just going to vanish.

• There are some vets here, yes, but this team is still LITTERED with youngin’s.

Could Ime Udoka be too hard-nosed for this group? There could be some clashing.

Final Prediction: The jump from Silas to Udoka and KPJ to FVV is enough for us. Over 31.5 wins.

3. Dallas Mavericks — 43.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Betting against Luka Doncic is always risky business. THE DON.

• The offense with Luka and Kyrie will be there. This we know.

• Seth Curry is back in Dallas. He’s the perfect shooter to have alongside Luka and Kyrie.

• Rookie Dereck Lively looks like the perfect lob threat for Luka.

• Another jump could be in store for Josh Green in Year 4.

• Sophomore Jaden Hardy should see more minutes and opportunity.

• Grant Williams is the type of player this roster needed. Somebody more than willing to do the dirty work.

• The Mavs added some vets in the offseason: Kieff Morris, Derrick Jones Jr. and Richaun Holmes.

• Dante Exum is in the D now, too. Exum supposedly fixed his 3-point shot in Euro ball.

Kyrie in Dallas… it’s the smallest market he’s played in since pre-LeBron Cleveland and could be the best recipe for him.

What’s the case for the Under?

Recently, betting against Kyrie has been extremely profitable.

• Kyrie was already seen glaring at Grant Williams in the preseason.

• If Luka were to ever miss an extended period of time, they would be toast.

• Jason Kidd might have been a one-hit wonder of a good head coach in 2021-22.

• Defensively… that’s the question with this team. Can they buy in on that side of the ball? When the Mavs had that great defense two years ago, Reggie Bullock and DFS were a huge part, but now they are long gone from the D.

• Could there be too many guys? That can lead to disgruntled players and a bad vibes locker room.

Final Prediction: We really don’t like to bet against Luka, but Kyrie is an auto fade. Under 43.5 wins.

2. New Orleans Pelicans — 44.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Two months into last season, the Pelicans were 18-8 and in 1st place in the Western Conference after a 7-game winning streak was capped off by Zion’s 360-windmill in garbage time against the Suns.

On Dec. 30, New Year’s Eve’s Eve, the Pelicans were 23-12 and still No. 1 in the West, tied at the top with the Denver Nuggets.

• If unguardable Zion stays healthy for a full season. It’s a big IF, but before going down last year, Zion put up his 2020-21 All-Star numbers, averaging 26 points and 7 rebounds on 61 percent shooting. He even increased his assists to 4.6 per game. Big Z looked good in the preseason…

• Health in general has not been on the Pelicans side. Brandon Ingram missed 37 games last year, too. Jose Alvarado missed time as well.

• A motivated Brandon Ingram after being frustrated in FIBA ball with team USA. B.I. just wants to hoop.

• With Zion and Ingram handling the majority of the load, things will open for CJ McCollum to be the No. 3 scorer and main facilitator.

• Another leap could eventually be in store for Trey Murphy III after he returns from injury.

• The Pels will have more defense with Dyson Daniels getting more minutes and more shooting with rookie Jordan Hawkins.

• Speaking of defense: NOT ON HERB! Herb Jones defensive prowess is here.

• Willie Green is a payers coach who will have his guys ready to go to war.

We’ve been burned by these Pelicans Overs so many times. They are due!

What’s the case for the Under?

There are just so many injury concerns.

• Counting on Zion to be on the court is a really tough bet at this point.

• Trey Murphy, Alvarado and Larry Nance are all already banged up…

• This team is lacking a true starting point guard in a league that’s full of them.

• This team feels kinda slow… lacking the speed of some other teams that will want to run and gun.

• Is there enough 3-point shooting here? The Pelicans were bottom 5 in 3-point shooting last season.

We’ve been burned so many times by these Pels. A bad taste left in our mouth here.

Final Prediction: We thought we couldn’t quit Zion, but we have been burned too many times. Under 44.5 wins.

1. Memphis Grizzlies — 45.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Grizz have a great track record of exceeding expectations.

• Ja getting to be around the team during his suspension helps considerably. And when he returns, Ja should be more than motivated to be on his best behavior and let his game do the talking.

• Desmond Bane can take over while Ja is out. It’s Bane SZN.

• Memphis has the last two Defensive Players of the Year in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart. This should be one of the best defenses in the league again, providing a strong foundation and a high floor from a wins perspective.

• A full season of Luke Kennard’s 3-point shooting.

• Ziaire Williams looked smooth and in control in preseason. The transition game here is always lethal and Williams will play a big part in that.

• More playing time for David Roddy and Kenny Lofton. (The Thick Bros!)

• There have been a few changes to the roster, yes, but there is also still a boatload of continuity and togetherness here.

Taylor Jenkins always maximizes the talent of his roster.

What’s the case for the Under?

Steven Adams season-ending knee surgery just before the season is a most ominous sign…

• Not only is Ja out for the first 25 games, but there is no Tyus Jones here anymore, the previous Ja fill-in for years.

• There is no more Dillon Brooks, either. For all of his faults, he was very much a part of the Memphis winning culture.

• The backup point guard is… Derrick Rose? They will stagger Ja and Smart, but for 25 games while Ja is out…

• Outside of JJJ and Aldama, this team is actually pretty small.

• Brandon Clarke (torn Achilles back in March) won’t be back for several months. So this team is already banged up once again.

Ja is a third strike away from an even more serious suspension. And his reckless style of play always puts him at risk for a major injury.

Final Prediction: We were leaning Under and the Adams injury solidifies it. Under 45.5 wins.

____________________________________

We. Are. Back!

OPENING NIGHT is TUESDAY.

Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets - 7:30pm

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors - 10:00pm on TNT

Season Preview Division by Division

We love this game!

2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Southeast Division

The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time for our annual tradition of previewing the season, division by division, by asking two very important questions for each team:

• What’s the case for the Over?

• What’s the case for the Under?

LET’S GET IT.

5. Washington Wizards — 24.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Absolutely nobody would see it coming.

This is precisely how some Young Surprise Teams are formed. Just look at the Jazz last season and the 2019-20 Thunder, who also had Rooster and Moose.

• Jordan Poole UNLEASHED. Poole will have a lot of free rein to fire away. We know at his best he can light it up, which is exactly what he did in the preseason.

• Kyle Kuzma has been improving each season and just had his best season yet, averaging 21 and 7. Perhaps he can do even more with higher usage.

• Tyus Jones is a professional point guard and was a big reason why the Grizzlies were able to keep rolling when Ja missed games the last two seasons.

• Delon Wright is a very serviceable backup point guard. The Wiz should have somebody to set up their offense all game long.

• Corey Kispert shot 42.4 percent from 3 last season on high-volume 5.2 attempts per game. Kispert also shot 63.7 percent on 2s.

• Daniel Gafford is a dependable player. Gafford plays a lot of games (72 and 78 the last two seasons) and blocks a lot of shots (No. 13 in total blocks last year).

• Deni Advija just inked a 4-year, $55 million extension. Advija is a solid defender and an excellent rebounder. He’s only missed six games over the last two seasons.

• No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Johnny Davis didn’t play a lick until the end of the season when he finally showed some much-needed signs of life. Davis remains an unknown quantity. Maybe there is something there?

• The No. 7 overall pick in the draft, Bilal Coulibaly from France. Coulibaly might start from the jump, getting a huge opportunity right away. Coulibaly is known for his defense, something the Wiz will need.

As mentioned above, this team has welcomed in some seasoned veterans: Danilo Gallinari (13 years) and Mike Muscala (10 years).

What’s the case for the Under?

New management seems content with tanking and focusing on a full rebuild toward the future.

• Chuck ball with Poole and Kuzma feels like it’s going to be a constant theme here.

• Defensively… what is the road map to being decent?

• This roster is seriously lacking in size and rim protection. The rare team that does not have a single 7-footer listed on Basketball-Reference.

• No Beal and no Porzingis means that the Wizards have 46 points per game of missing offense from the jump.

• The youngin’s are going to be let loose to see what they have.

• Wes Unseld Jr. is heralded as one of the worst coaches in the league. (Seems like a nice guy, though!)

Every season has teams that are punching bags and the Wizards seem like a likely candidate.

Final prediction: Tyus Jones and Delon Wright made it tough, but we still have to go Under 24.5 wins.

4. Charlotte Hornets — 31.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Two years ago with this same core, the Hornets won 43 games.*

*That’s if Miles Bridges plays this season, which now looks to be in jeopardy…

• Last season, Steve Clifford’s big purple dogs never found their way offensively, posting the worse offensive rating in the league after being top 10 the year prior year, a result of LaMelo playing only 36 games and Miles Bridges out for the entire season. But LaMelo and Bridges combined for 40 points a night in 2021-22. If they are both playing, the Hornets offense will have a different dimension to it.

• Despite having the worst offense last year, the Hornets were still No. 6 in fast break points and No. 11 in points in the paint. So even without Bridges, there is a road map with having LaMelo running the show for the Hornets offense to improve drastically.

• No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller from Alabama. Miller might not have had the best showing at Summer League, but his scoring, playmaking and shooting should help boost this Hornets offense. Miller looked better in the preseason, and you know that we love his power dunking mindset.

• Terry Rozier struggled last season when he had to carry the load as the Hornets No. 1 option. But when the Hornets were briefly healthy, Rozier excelled once again, shooting 38 percent from 3 in January (30 percent in all other months). The Hornets need January Rozier.

• Gordon Hayward actually played 50 games for the first time in a Hornets uniform. He made it to 50 games exactly. The Hornets were 20-30 with Hayward in the lineup and 7-25 without him. Basically, if Hayward stays on the court, the Hornets have a much better chance to win.

• Mark Williams anchoring this defense from Day 1. Trading away Mason Plumlee at last year’s deadline forced Steve Clifford to play Williams more minutes. There is no other true center on the team besides backup Nick Richards. So Clifford has no choice but to give Mark Williams the keys.

• P.J. Washington finally got paid, the last restricted free agent to sign in late August. PJW is coming off a career year. People forget he scored 43 points against the Thunder in late March.

• The only real offseason free agent acquisition here was Frank Ntilikina. Dennis Smith Jr.’s career was revitalized after Dallas in Charlotte last season. Perhaps the same will be true for Frankie Smokes.

Oh, but there has also been an Ed Sumner sighting!!!

What’s the case for the Under?

The Miles Bridges drama… And the Kai Jones nonsense (they already waived him)…

Not great vibes to start the season. At all.

• If LaMelo misses time, the offense will be toast once again.

• Hayward is always hurt. Ya just can’t count on him to stay healthy and on the court.

• Thinking about this team defensively… can you already see Steve Clifford’s face getting RED?

• The Hornets biggest issue was 3-point shooting last season, No. 29 in 3-point percentage ahead of only the Rockets.

• Steve Clifford still feels like such the wrong coach for this team.

This win total line is so low that it feels like a trap.

Final prediction: Going off the vibes alone, it’s the Under 31.5 wins.

3. Orlando Magic — 37.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

From the first week of December until the end of last season, the Magic had a winning record of 29-28 and the No. 6 defense in the NBA.

• The Magic struggled mightily out of the gate due to injuries. A 5-20 record over the first seven weeks while missing veterans Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris. Having their guys from the jump should make a huge difference.

• Coming off his run with Team USA in FIBA ball, reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero could be in store for a big Year 2. Paolo is an absolute beast. He’s only going to get stronger and more comfortable.

• Franz Wagner went through a little bit of a sophomore slump at times when the Magic were so shorthanded, but he certainly found his rhythm. He’s still a smooth player who can do a little bit of everything, effective playing both on and off-ball. Having more offensive threats should free him up to excel even more.

• Wendell Carter Jr. gets better every season. In particular his 3-point shooting as a stretch big, up to a tick below 36 percent last season, a respectable number for a big who previously did not have that in his game. WCJ also shot a career-high 62 percent on 2s.

• The rookies: No. 6 overall pick Anthony Black from Arkansas and No. 11 overall pick Jett Howard from Michigan. Black is known for his floor-general playmaking and Howard for his knockdown shooting.

• By drafting Black at No. 6, it’s now or never for Jalen Suggs in Orlando. Suggs played less minutes than his rookie season, but his shooting improved dramatically. He had nowhere to go but up, but he made it happen.

• Joe Ingles is here on a to a 2-year, $22 million deal. The addition of Jinglin’ Joe gives Orlando another veteran presence and more 3-point shooting. Ingles has been above 39 percent from 3 in six of his nine seasons.

• The Magic re-signed Moe Wagner for 2 years and $16 million, keeping the Wagner bros together. Moe never misses an opportunity to be an instigator, but he’s also a helpful contributor, always playing with intensity.

This group is very familiar with one another and it’s vividly clear that they like each other. That goes a long way toward team chemistry, an absolutely vital component to a Young Surprise Team coalescing.

What’s the case for the Under?

This is still a young team with a lot of dudes.

• Sophomore slumps are common in the NBA and a slumping Banchero would be a big blunder for this team.

• Injury issues have been a previous concern.

• The 3-point shooting here is a question mark. The Magic were No. 24 last year in 3-point percentage after being No. 28 the year before.

• The ghosts of Mo Bamba, Bol Bol and Terrence Ross.

As is always the case with young teams, if it goes south, they could eventually elect to tank it out.

Final prediction: We are all in on the Magic being a Young Surprise Team and making at least the play-in. Over 37.5 wins.

2. Atlanta Hawks — 42.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

A full training camp with mastermind Quin Snyder. Snyder is The One to maximize Trae Young off-ball.

• The backcourt of Ice Trae and Dejounte Murray coalescing into an unusual and different potent one-two punch.

• One (or more) of Onyeka Okongwu, Saddiq Bey, AJ Griffin or Jalen Johnson take a massive leap. Johnson looked good in the preseason, and he is certainly a leaper on the court. Griffin has smooth handles and plays in control.

• A full season of having the dependable and durable Saddiq Bey, who was excellent for the Hawks after the deadline.

• The two-way talent within De’Andre Hunter finally blossoms into something really real.

• There are some fresh veteran leaders here in Wes Matthews and Patty Mills, both with 14 years of NBA experience under their belts.

The Hawks figured some things out in that first round series against the Celtics last year, really making the C’s start to sweat by the end.

What’s the case for the Under?

There isn’t much depth or firepower on this roster after the top.

• The Trae-Dejounte mix continues to be too much of the your-turn, my-turn offense that can be so predictable.

• Are the Hawks going to be able to stop teams defensively? That’s usually their crux.

• This team is small. It’s a skill ball game these days, yes, but teams with size are going to bully them on the interior.

• The Hawks got absolutely nothing in return for John Collins this summer, finally flying him out of the A. It was time to move on after years of trade rumors swirling, but to get nothing for your assets doesn’t help things.

Can the Hawks get rid of the stench of being mid?

Final prediction: We believe in Quin Snyder, but we don’t believe in the Trae-Dejounte fit. Under 42.5 wins.

1. Miami Heat — 45.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

A motivated Heat team that did not get any of the prized possessions of the summer.

• The Heat already have a big 3 in Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Eric Spoelstra.

  • Emo Jimmy could be out for blood.

  • Bam might be poised for another step offensively. The Heat were initiating a lot of offensive sets through Bam in the preseason.

  • Spo is one of the best coaches in the league. (If not THE No. 1.)

• Tyler Herro will be on a mission to prove his worth after being in trade rumors all summer. Herro belongs in South Beach.

• Eastern Conference Finals Caleb Martin for a full season. Caleb Martin in the ECF was absolutely insane.

• Duncan Robinson’s resurgence. Dunc Rob found his 3-point shot and got back to firing away. Without Strus, they will need Robinson’s shooting more than ever.

• Josh Richardson could turn back into Heat Josh Richardson.

• The rookie: Jaime Jaquez. The sophomore: Nikola Jovic. One of these young guys could take off.

• The Heat always find guys. Somebody will show up out of nowhere. Candidates include: Haywood Highsmith, Jamal Cane, Cole Swider and our personal favorite: R.J. Hampton.

• Kyle Lowry doesn’t want to go out like this.

Every time they are counted them out, they show right back up again. HEAT CULTURE.

What’s the case for the Under?

The usual injury and depth concerns are still very much present with this team.

• If and when Jimmy and Bam miss time, the foundation here starts to crumble.

• The trade rumors could have a negative impact on Herro. He could try to do too much.

• Lowry is 37 with a TON of point guard miles.

• There is the possibility that ECF Caleb Martin was a one-hit wonder.

• The Heat lost Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, big contributors to their success last season. (Regular season included.)

• No more Udonis Haslem. For the first time in 20 years, UD won’t be on the Heat bench.

Miami was the 8-seed last year and got worse on paper while the rest of the East got better.

Final prediction: It’s the Heat. We have to put our trust in Spo. Over 45.5 wins.

____________________________________

We. Are. Back!

OPENING NIGHT is TUESDAY.

Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets - 7:30pm

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors - 10:00pm on TNT

Season Preview Division by Division

We love this game!

2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Northwest Division

The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time for our annual tradition of previewing the season, division by division, by asking two very important questions for each team:

• What’s the case for the Over?

• What’s the case for the Under?

LET’S GET IT.

5. Portland Trail Blazers — 28.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

Absolutely nobody would see it coming.

That’s precisely the case for a lot of Young Surprise Teams. Just think about the Jazz last season.

• Scoot Henderson could really be THAT DUDE, having an immediate impact on the game with this speed and strength, getting by anybody to his left or right.

• Deandre Ayton — self-proclaimed DominAyton — has everything to prove after being spurned from the desert.

• Jerami Grant is a really good two-way player. He can pop off with high usage like he did in Detroit a few seasons ago.

• Malcom Brodgon was just the 6th Man of the Year. He’s still in Portland for now. There might not be a better mentor for the youngin’s.

• Anfernee Simons has been ascending as a Dame replica for years, especially offensively where his sharp-shooting can take over games at a moment’s notice.

• Spring-loaded Shaedon Sharpe is a walking POWER DUNK, ready to ignite the crowd and flip the momentum. Sharpe had a strong finish to his rookie season.

• Matisse Thybulle played his best ball in Portland over the last two months of last season. He was actually shooting and making 3s.

There is no pressure here. These boys can play LOOSE.

The Blazers could catch people sleepwalking into Portland.

What’s the case for the Under?

More than half of the roster currently listed on Basketball-Reference has played one season or less in the NBA.

This is a YOUNG team.

• Defensively, will they be the same old Blazers? A backcourt of Scoot (6-foot-2) and Simons (6-foot-3) is very undersized. Does that ring a Portland bell?

• Chauncey Billups doesn’t exactly have the best reputation as a head coach after two years on the job.

• Young teams generally prioritize player development over wins.

• Portland could trade Time Lord and Brogdon to further cash in on the assets they received for Dame.

• The West is stacked and simply put, the Blazers will be a nightly talent disadvantage.

We know that Blazers GM Joe Cronin is not afraid to shamelessly tank his ass off as he has done each of the last two seasons.

Final prediction: There will be nights where they get smoked, but we are rolling the dice on this being last year’s Jazz. Over 28.5 wins.

4. Utah Jazz — 35.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

A new era of Jazz basketball could not have started better, a perfect blend of a random assortment of castaway players with something to prove.

• The Jazz were last year’s biggest Young Surprise Team:

  • Utah won 37 games after a preseason win total of 23.5, which they eclipsed on Jan. 14.

  • On Feb. 26, the Jazz were still a .500 team and the 8-seed in the West. Utah’s record the rest of the way was 6-14. The plug was pulled and the tank emerged.

• Lauri Markkanen, with the highest usage of his career as Utah’s No. 1 option, put up by far and away career-best numbers that earned him a first-time All-Star selection and the NBA’s Most Improved Player.

• Walker Kessler is a 7-foot-1 shot-blocking monster who even posted a higher PER than Rudy Gobert and swatted the fourth most blocks in the NBA.

• Jordan Clarkson got paid with an extension this offseason. Clarkson is the last vestige of the previous iteration of Jazz basketball.

• The Jazz added John Collins for basically nothing (Rudy Gay and two 2nds). He is hilariously the highest-paid player on the team this season.

• Three 1st-round rookies are here:

  • No. 9 pick Taylor Hendricks from UCF. An athlete with bounce and a 3-point shot.

  • No. 16 pick Keyonte George from Baylor. A 6-foot-4 ball-handling guard known for his interior scoring and float game. George lit up Summer League and the preseason.

  • No. 28 pick Brice Sensabaugh from Ohio State. A 6-foot-6 tough shot maker.

Will Hardy seems like an excellent players coach, one who maximizes the talent he has available.

What’s the case for the Under?

Teams will be ready for the Jazz this time around.

• A full season without Mike Conley, who was an integral part of last year’s early-season success. Jared Vanderbilt, too — and Malik Beasley is also worth a mention.

• Despite Walker Kessler’s presence under the basket, the defense here overall was subpar last season, No. 23 in the league.

• They got him for nothing, yes, but the fit with John Collins honestly doesn’t seem ideal. Will that mean Markkanen plays more of the 3? He’s best at the 4 or 5.

• Will Hardy will probably experiment and tinker with his young talent. Young teams tend to focus on player development with the long game mind.

Speaking of the long game, that’s what Danny Ainge is all about, an acclaimed master tanker.

Final Prediction: Not having Mike Conley at all this time and knowing they have the long game in mind: Under 35.5 wins.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder — 44.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

The Thunder started to rumble last season, vastly overexceeding expecations as a Young Surprise Team known for being fast and hungry.

The real storm could be on the way.

• His name is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Fresh off a 1st Team All-NBA selection, SGA scored the 4th-most points in the entire league, averaging 31.4 a night. He led this team with a calm, poised demeanor and a relentless attack, driving to the basket all night long and living at the free throw line. SGA shot 90.5 percent on 10.9 attempts per game.

• This team excelled without a true big man center last season, and now Chet Holgrem is added into the mix. Chet has looked fantastic in the preseason, a much-needed rim protector who can also step out and drain the 3.

• SGA with Chet is the balanced inside-outside combo you want. And flanked by Josh Giddey’s passing, Lu Dort’s defense and J-Dub’s do-a-little-bit-of-everything — the foundation here is STRONG.

• They have more shooting around them now, too. In addition to Chet, there will be a full season of Isaiah Joe and the newly acquired Davis Bertans, the Latvian Laser.

• There is more defense in OKC as well: rookie Cason Wallace is known to be a hound on the perimeter.

With soo many assets and draft picks available, Sam Presti could always swing for the fences, making a big move to really go for it this season.

What’s the case for the Under?

Other teams should be ready for the Thunder this time around.

The element of surprise is gone for Young Surprise Teams the next year.

• The overall size and strength is a question. They could use some more beef inside.

• It has to be mentioned throughout: the West got a lot better. There are other teams that will have much more of a win-now mindset.

• Will OKC be able to close out games down the stretch? That’s an area where young teams can struggle. The Thunder were a bottom-5 team in clutch win percentage last season.

• They might be careful with Chet, who already has had a foot injury.

• They might be cautious with SGA, who means everything to this franchise.

The Thunder started to rumble last season, but the real storm might be a ways off.

Final prediction: We expect to hear the Thunder roaring in the night. Over 44.5 wins.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves — 44.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

A healthy KAT, the next level for Ant-Man — and worked out kinks from last season.

• After dominating with team USA this summer, Anthony Edwards seems poised to take another leap to true NBA stardom. Superstardom? Honestly, wouldn’t rule it out. Ant has the tools and the moxie to make it happen.

• It’s no secret that KAT has been injury-prone, playing more than 50 games just once over the last four years. But when he’s out there, Towns stays ballin’, giving the Wolves a second multi-level offensive dimension that’s glaringly missing without him.

• A full season of professional Mike Conley running the point and setting up this offense. Conley’s arrival to Minnesota helped Rudy Gobert out tremendously.

• The Twin Towers fit with Gobert and Towns was unsurprisingly unideal for much of the little time they played together, but now they have had time to evaluate and get comfortable.

• Naz Reid (t-shirt All-Star!) got paid and is a reliable and flexible player that Chris Finch can use in any lineup.

• Stability within after the rockiness of last season. Remember when Kyle Anderson and Gobert threw down? Sometimes great adversity only makes you stronger in the end. (Remember Jimmy vs. Spo in 2022?)

• Speaking of Kyle Anderson, he’s a solid role player. The same goes for Jaden McDaniels who has glowing potential.

• Remember the name: Leonard Miller.

This is a well-balanced roster with a good mix of vet experience and young-gun talent.

What’s the case for the Under?

KAT’s injury history, Mike Conley’s age and the still awkward fit between Towns and Gobert — ya know, some $71 million in annually salary.

• Conley just turned 36 years old with 16 seasons of point guard miles under his belt. It’s fair to wonder if the wheels could fall off.

• KAT has had one healthy season in the last four. At some point, it just is what it is.

• The twin towers lineups are not ideal for maximizing Ant-Man’s talents, clogging the driving lanes and minimizing the spacing on the floor.

• There is not a crazy amount of depth or shooting here. Spacing and having options are such a key component to today’s game.

Other teams in the West got decidedly better, gaining supreme talent. The Wolves added Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr.

Final prediction: We believe in Ant-Man too much to fade. Over 44.5 wins.

1. Denver Nuggets — 52.5 wins

What’s the case for the Over?

His name is Nikola Jokic. He is also known as The Joker. Some call him Big Honey.

• Jokic is the current best player in the game atop the player pyramid, a walking triple-double and ridiculously uncanny passer. He takes and makes the most absurd shots. Jokic is a flat-out unbelievable and outrageous player.

• The two-man game between The Joker and The Blue Arrow. Jamal Murray proved once again that his game has another dimension when the stakes are the highest. They eased him back in last year and he might be ready for more this year.

• Aaron Gordon was miscast in Orlando as a No. 1 guy, but he’s a fantastic No. 3 / No. 4 option and a perfect complimentary player to have around Jokic.

• Michael Porter Jr.’s 3-point shot is still basically unguardable, sniping from atop the tower.

• KCP’s perimeter defense and corner 3-point shooting were a key element to Denver’s championship run.

• Christian Braun, who Michael Malone trusted in the playoffs (!!), will see more minutes with Bruce Brown gone. Braun could end up being a offensive upgrade.

• Zeke Nnaji just signed a four-year, $32 million extension, signaling that not only is Nnaji in Denver’s future plans, but he should see an uptick in minutes this season.

• Rookie Julian Strawther looked legit in the preseason. A sharpshooter from Gonzaga, Strawther might be ready to contribute right away. Fellow rookie Hunter Tyson also looked good in the preseason, and another rookie, Jalen Pickett from Penn State, is yet another youngin’ that people are high on.

The continuity and togetherness here is unmatched.

What’s the case for the Under?

Championship hangovers are real.

The Nuggets will become the hunted.

• Bruce Brown is gone to Indiana. He was a swiss army knife for Michael Malone. Jeff Green is gone to Houston. The depth here won’t be the same.

• Have you heard this one before? The West got better. And the Nuggets did lose key pieces to their championship run.

• The backup big man situation is still… a LOT of DeAndre Jordan…

• How much will Michael Malone trust the youngin’s? How much will they produce throughout the course of a full season?

• The Nuggets will have the long game very much in mind, playing for another deep playoff run into June to defend their title.

Chasing wins in the regular season might not be in the cards. Remember how rough they looked over the last month of last season?

Final prediction: We are banking on Denver taking the regular season with a grain of salt. Under 52.5 wins.

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