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It’s over/under day in the NBA and it’s a beautiful thing.
Each year, the good folks in Las Vegas “project” each team in the NBA with a preseason win total, allowing handicappers far and wide to weigh in on what they think will transpire during the season. For 2016-2017, the Westgate Las Vegas released their win totals on Tuesday, and the Atlanta Hawks are pegged for 43.5 victories.
Brand spankin' new from @LVSuperBook!
— Covers (@Covers) September 20, 2016
NBA Regular Season Win Totals for 2016-17. pic.twitter.com/Ny0oogqjyX
At first blush, this seems like a very reasonable number for the Hawks. The team underwent massive change this offseason, and while this win total would be a step back from 48 victories a season ago, that would not be a shock given the changes.
Still, a quick look at the rest of the Southeast Division reveals that Atlanta would be the “favorite” according to these numbers. Washington is projected for 42.5 wins, while Charlotte (39.5), Miami (36.5) and Orlando (36.5) fall in line after that.
The Heat are particularly interesting in that the uncertainty around Chris Bosh is very real, but this is a lot of respect for Atlanta in comparison to a team like Charlotte that basically “brought the band back” after an equivalent 48-win season in 2015-2016. What do you think about the over/under? Is this too many? Too few? Let us know in the comments and brace yourselves.