While 56 might seem low compared to last season, BR still predicts the Celtics to have the best record in the NBA (and the according 1 seed in the playoffs).
I think, that with the 4th easiest schedule in the NBA, the Celtics still get to 60 wins.
Thoughts?
by 3250Knight
7 Comments
I think a lot depends on health, and we know Porzingis will miss the start of the season.
Zinger probably out until February so I’d take the under. Still like us to repeat, though
as long as we end up with the 1 seed it’s all good
Think they’ll hover around the 58-60 win mark barring further health problems. Accounting for KP being out half the year, Al resting more/relying on bench development (specifically Tillman and Walsh kinda) more than last year
60 fo sho.
56 is a decent hedge against KP’s early season absence
Just to keep in mind, several teams will always drastically underperform their “nothing goes wrong” win totals. The 76ers were 31-8 last year when Embiid played, and finished with 47 wins. The Celtics have a very, very good team that had just come together. History tells us that things usually go even better (2009 Celtics until KG’s injury, 1978 Blazers until Walton’s injury, 1992 Bulls, 2016 Warriors, etc…) or the champs coast through the regular season (2014 Heat, 1987 Celtics, 2001 Lakers, 1990 Pistons) and underperform a bit.
Vegas has them at 58.5 wins right now, and as usual, that’s a tough number (though I thought last year’s 54.5 was an easy OVER). I could see them coming out and rolling to 60+ wins very easily, but I could also see them taking a few injuries, resting guys, and winning 55 games by losing a bunch they could have won if they wanted to try hard.