Approximately 1,532 reasons exist to be excited about the
2013-2014 NBA season. We are coming off
the best NBA finals in recent history, and more teams look poised to compete
with the Heat for the title this year.
The bottom half of the league features just as much drama but for the
opposite reason: there are several teams
who are going to be terrible. Maybe not 2011-2012
Charlotte Bobcats terrible, but there will be some really, really bad teams. The Suns, 76ers, Magic, Celtics and probably
a few more are all trying to get a “handle on Randle,” or “put a marker on
Parker.” (Note: I do not think Wiggins
will be the first overall pick).
How can we
get a feel for the entire league? Who
can we look to for the best season predictions?
Why, Vegas, of course. What
follows is the 2013-2014 NBA over/under spectacular. We welcome Juice, as the official BDL
gambling correspondent, to the blog by comparing his picks with my own. Over/under’s are simple. The brilliant Vegas minds have set a number
of season wins they believe will draw equal action from both sides, which is to
say, the same amount of people think the team could win more game, or
less. For example, the Orlando Magic’s
over/under is 23 ½ games. If you think
they win 24+ you go with the over; 23 or less and you take the under.
We’ve
decided to go Eastern Conference first and will bring you the Western
Conference tomorrow. On with the show….
$$$ = Juice placed real money placed on this bet.
Philadelphia 76ers
Line: 17 ½
Chuck: Under
Juice: Push (I think
they will end up with 16, 17, 18, or 19 wins) (Editor’s note: This is a cop out)
The Reason: When your
goal is to lose and the other team is trying to win, you often succeed.
Orlando Magic
Line: 23 ½
Chuck: Under
Juice: Push (22-25
wins)
Chuck says: Not sold
on Oladipo’s ability to be a point guard in the NBA. Love their young talent, but the Magic have every
reason to lose this year.
Juice says: Mixed
bag, will try to tank but have great young talent which will be tough to keep
off the floor (they are all still playing for their first real contract).
Charlotte Bobcats
Line: 26 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Over
The Reason: The Bobs
won't try to tank. At some point the
Bobcats have to win, and with some many other teams tanking, this is their best
chance. It looks like they might get 3 picks in the lottery no matter how the finish.
Boston Celtics
Line: 27 ½
Chuck: Under
Juice: Under
The Reason: Current
Brad Stevens vs. Future Brad Stevens, I think the future wins out and he waits
for the loaded draft. Plus he has a fat
contract and no one in Boston will care because the Sox just won the World
Series.
Milwaukee Bucks
Line: 28 ½
Chuck: Way Over
Juice: Over $$$
The Reason: Have you
seen the rest of the East? This is easy
money.
Toronto Raptors
Line: 35 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Under
Chuck Says: Jonas Valanciunas
is the next Arvydas Sabonis. Rudy Gay
may shoot too much, but he’s a legit talent.
Plus they will feast on Boston and Philly.
Juice Says: STAY
AWAY! Raps are likely to move Gay which could do anything to their output depending
on what they get back. I'm guessing they decide to tank.
Atlanta Hawks
Line: 39 ½
Chuck: Under
Juice: Under
Juice Says: I wanted to hedge and just pick over for both
ATL and WAS, but I grew a pair and decided to take a stand.
Washington Wizards
Line: 39 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Over
Chuck Says: John Wall
will take the next step and Bradley Beal will prove he’s the real deal. Plus, someone has to step up for the 7 and 8
seeds, right?
Cleveland Cavaliers
Line: 40 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Under
Juice Says: Irving is
a straight boss, but the rest of the lineup gives me pause. The Cavs may possibly
tank for a better pick, although they may decide to stay strong for The King in
Cleveland 2.0.
Detroit Pistons
Line: 40 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Under
Chuck Says: Love the
big men: Drummond, Monroe and Josh
Smith. The better over/under is how many
lay-ups get made while these guys are on the court at the same time.
New York Knicks
Line: 49 ½
Chuck: Under
Juice: Under
Juice Says: I had
them last year in a total wins draft for money and let’s just say I would not
pick them again. I think it was smoke and mirrors last year and think the Knicks
owner will be very disappointed come June.
Brooklyn Nets
Line: 52 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Over
Chuck Says: I love
the moves Brooklyn made this summer. I
think Pierce and the Big Ticket still have something left in the tank. Plus, I’ve learned to never wager against
Russian billionaires. (Editor’s note:
there is some factual basis for this lesson.)
Indiana Pacers
Line: 54 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Over
The Reason: We understand it is sort
of cheap to publish this piece two games into the season, but have you see what Paul George
is doing right now? Take the over
and run.
Chicago Bulls
Line: 56 ½
Chuck: Under
Juice: Over $$$
Juice Says: DR is
fresh. The Bulls have 2 pedals: gas and nitrous. I’ve already started thinking about what I’ll
buy with the money they make me.
Miami Heat
Line: 61 ½
Chuck: Over
Juice: Over
Chuck Says: When the
best player on your team is LeBron James, it is smart to bet the over. If Beasley and Oden can give them anything,
this team should be better than last year.
Miami, like Chicago, have their eyes on the best overall record for
homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
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