2020 NBA Southeast Division Predictions, Odds and Win Totals

• The reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat are the favorites to win the Southeast Division
• One of the NBA’s weaker divisions in recent seasons, all five have playoff ambitions in 2021
• Our season preview covers complete season odds and win totals for all five Southeast teams

The Miami Heat are by far the most successful team in the history of the Southeast Division, winning 10 division crowns. Only the Orlando Magic have won it more than once. Entering the 2020-21 NBA season, Miami is once again favored to top the division, but the other four teams all have ambitions of earning a playoff spot, or at the very least, making the play-in.

Miami has aims much greater than the NBA Divisional odds. They are one of the favorites to come out the East, while it would be a surprise to see any of Washington, Atlanta, Charlotte, or Orlando win a potential firs-round series.

Here are the complete pre-season odds for the Southeast Division.

Southeast Division Odds and Win Totals

Odds taken on Dec 18 from FanDuel.

Miami Heat

• 2019-20 record: 44-29
• 2019-20 points per game: 112.0 (15th)
• 2019-20 points allowed per game: 109.1 (10th)
• 2019-20 offensive rating: 112.5 (7th)
• 2019-20 defensive rating: 109.5 (11th)

The Miami Heat were a good regular-season team in 2019-20 – they were spectacular in the playoffs, sweeping the Pacers, seeing off the favored Bucks, and getting the better of the Celtics before taking the Lakers to six games. Re-signing Goran Dragic and extending Bam Adebayo were the biggest moves of the offseason, though Avery Bradley and Maurice Harkless were nice additions, too.

Key Offseason Moves

The outlook for Miami could change drastically if they trade for James Harden. As it stands, though, they are somewhere between the second and sixth-best team in the East. How Tyler Herro’s game develops is pivotal. If Herro takes another leap after his stellar playoffs, the Heat’s ceiling rises further.

Jimmy Butler encourages Bam Adebayo to just keep attacking 👌 pic.twitter.com/RU4cuzbwEP

— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCP) December 16, 2020

Miami is a lot better than any other team in the Southeast. They improved their roster, but the 43.5 win total seems slightly generous.

Prediction: 41-31 (1st)

Washington Wizards

• 2019-20 record: 25-47
• 2019-20 points per game: 114.4 (7th)
• 2019-20 points allowed per game: 119.1 (29th)
• 2019-20 offensive rating: 110.9 (15th)
• 2019-20 defensive rating: 115.5 (30th)

The 2019-20 campaign was a  lost season for the Wizards. Once again waiting for John Wall to return from injury, Bradley Beal put up huge numbers, and Davis Bertans proved himself as one of the best shooters in the league, but they were nowhere near competing. Wall is back from injury, though his return will not come in the capital. Wall was traded for Russell Westbrook in the offseason, a move which should make the Wiz better.

Key Offseason Moves

The decision to trade Wall is a seismic moment in franchise history. Bringing in Westbrook was an effort to make the playoffs this season, and keep Beal happy. This is a roster that could, and perhaps should be a top 10 offense, but it’s hard to see how they become a competent defensive group. Scott Brooks needs his team to be elite on the offensive end.

We're sure Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook will get along 👌 pic.twitter.com/kBkciOboC3

— Wizards Nation (@WizardsNationCP) December 13, 2020

Westbrook and Beal is the best backcourt in the Eastern Conference. Midseason trades to improve the defense will be key to their playoff push, but the sheer talent of Westbrook and Beal is enough to carry them to second in the division and a play-in spot.

Prediction: 33-39 (2nd)

Atlanta Hawks

• 2019-20 record: 20-47
• 2019-20 points per game: 111.8 (17th)
• 2019-20 points allowed per game: 119.7 (30th)
• 2019-20 offensive rating: 107.2 (26th)
• 2019-20 defensive rating: 114.8 (27th)

Trae Young took the leap to All-Stardom, but the 2019-20 season was a rough one for Atlanta. Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter struggled. Their defense was among the worst in the NBA. The Hawks responded with a big offseason, led by the acquisitions of Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Rajon Rondo. The bargain signing of Kris Dunn brings much-needed defensive acumen, and drafting Onyeka Okongwu adds high-upside on the defensive end.

Key Offseason Moves

It’s a similar situation to Washington. The defense is what will hold Atlanta back, particularly when the postseason rolls around. Young has shown what he can do in the regular season, and they have the potential to be a truly potent offensive team.

Back at it tonight. @TheTraeYoung | #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/j2mrtF7NUE

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 17, 2020

It could take time to find the right line-ups. While depth is an advantage in a season where injuries and COVID-19 absences are expected, they also have a lot of players to keep happy. How the Hawks balance winning in 2021 with developing their young talent will be fascinating. Their offense will be markedly better – likely top 10 – but the defense will remain well below average.

Prediction: 32-40 (3rd)

Orlando Magic

• 2019-20 record: 33-40
• 2019-20 points per game: 107.3 (24th)
• 2019-20 points allowed per game: 108.3 (5th)
• 2019-20 offensive rating: 108.5 (23rd)
• 2019-20 defensive rating: 105.5 (10th)

Just like two seasons ago, the Orlando Magic’s 2019-20 ended with a first-round loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Orlando, in stark contrast to Atlanta and Washington, is a team built on elite defense. They have ranked in the bottom 10 in offensive rating for eight consecutive seasons, but they have been top 10 on the defensive end in the last two campaigns. That’s a trend they need to continue into 2021, though it’s a much more difficult task with Jonathan Isaac injured.

Key Offseason Moves

It was a quiet offseason for the Magic. Drafting Cole Anthony brings upside in place of D.J. Augustin, but they are primarily relying on their players improving. Mo Bamba, Markelle Fultz, or Aaron Gordon need to take a step forward in 2021 if the Magic are to maintain their place as best of the rest in the East.

Cole Anthony’s game was made for the league 🗣

He’s got 11 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds in 10 mins 💰

(via @OrlandoMagic)pic.twitter.com/QENMz7fdJh

— Overtime (@overtime) December 18, 2020

The absence of Isaac is significant. Orlando, even on a relatively low win total, are a team to consider betting the under on.

Prediction: 28-44 (5th)

Charlotte Hornets

• 2019-20 record: 23-42
• 2019-20 points per game: 102.9 (30th)
• 2019-20 points allowed per game: 109.6 (12th)
• 2019-20 offensive rating: 106.3 (29th)
• 2019-20 defensive rating: 113.3 (24th)

The Hornets had yet another season in the lottery wilderness. Lottery luck enabled them to draft LaMelo Ball, and they used their cap space to make arguably the most surprising signing of the offseason by handing Gordon Hayward a four-year deal. The Hayward addition signals a team trying to make the playoffs in 2021 – the Hornets will have more attention on them in 2021 than they have had in recent history.

Lamelo Ball ( @MELOD1P) 18 points 5 assists 2 rebounds in 25 minutes.. really like how he’s making reads in the pick and roll and his passes are cold pic.twitter.com/w8NcLyOYP4

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) December 18, 2020

The performances of Devonte’ Graham and PJ Washington in 2019-20 give the Hornets something to build on with Ball and Hayward. Miles Bridges could prove to be a strong role player on the wing.

Key Offseason Moves

In Washington, LaMelo, Graham, and Bridges, the Hornets have a strong young group. Their competitiveness this season will depend heavily on how Ball performs as a shooter and a defender. Complemented by the veteran presence of Terry Rozier and Hayward, this Charlotte team has the potential to be much better than expected. They’re a good bet for the over.

Prediction: 30-42 (4th)

Other Division Previews: 

• Northwest Division
• Atlantic Division
• Pacific Division