Opening 2021-22 NBA Win Totals and Odds – See Projections on All 30 Teams

• The Nets have the highest projected win total in the opening odds for the 2021-22 NBA season
• Rebuilding Orlando have the lowest win total, just below the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons
• Read below for the opening NBA win totals and best bets

The title favorite Brooklyn Nets have the highest projected win total for the 2021-22 NBA regular season. Sitting at 56.5, Brooklyn is just clear of the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. At the other end of the scale, the opening win total odds tab the Orlando Magic as the weakest team in the Association with a projected win tally of 22.5.

Fellow rebuilders the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons are just ahead of Orlando. The Rockets, Cavaliers and Spurs are also projected for under 30 regular season wins in 2021-22.

Opening 2021-22 NBA Win Totals

Odds as of Aug 17 at DraftKings

Nets, Lakers, Bucks Lead the Way

The three title favorites are also the three top teams in NBA win total odds. Milwaukee and Brooklyn are comfortably clear of the Sixers, who rank third in the Eastern Conference win totals. Having battled it out at the top of the West last season, the Suns and Jazz are the Lakers’ nearest challengers with both teams sitting at 51.5 in the opening odds.

Injuries to Jamal Murray and Kawhi Leonard have kept the Nuggets and Clippers, respectively, well below the 50-win line. Behind the Sixers at 50.5 in the East, there’s a three-team group of Boston, Miami and Atlanta who will all be eyeing up homecourt advantage in the first round.

The Heat had another busy offseason, while it’s a new era for the Celtics with Brad Stevens leaving the bench and Kemba Walker getting traded. Atlanta is aiming to build on their Conference Finals appearance.

Injuries and load management are important factors to consider for the 50+ win total teams.

Brooklyn won plenty of games despite injuries last year, but how often will their big three be available? Does Russell Westbrook raise the Lakers’ floor enough for them to win 54+ even if LeBron James and Anthony Davis miss time? How much effort do the Bucks put into the regular season after a long postseason run and Olympics effort for Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton?

Best Over Bets

They might have lost Kyle Lowry, and went just 27-35 last season, but 36.5 is a very low number for the Toronto Raptors. The Tampa factor was real for the Raps, who never got any rhythm in 2020-21. With the Blue Jays back in Toronto, the Raptors should return home in 2021-22, which will help their play beyond regaining home advantage.

The mid-seedings in the East are going to be very competitive, but Toronto has more than enough talent to win 37+ games. Nick Nurse is one of the best coaches in the league. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are All-Star level players, and OG Anunoby is heading in that direction. Goran Dragic, if he stays with the team, will provide some extra offensive punch, while Scottie Barnes is ready to contribute immediately.

Where the East seems to be getting deeper, the Western Conference has opened up a bit. The Memphis Grizzlies are positioned to take advantage after going 38-34 last season despite Jaren Jackson Jr starting just four regular season games. Memphis has flipped Jonas Valanciunas for Steven Adams, which might not help them in the short-term, but the natural progression of their young players should take them comfortably to .500.

Building on an elite defense from last year, the Grizz are going to be in the playoff mix again. With a leap from Jackson or Ja Morant, they might even force their way into the top six in a weakened West.

• Picks: Raptors over 36.5 wins, Grizzlies over 41.5

Best Under Bets

The New York Knicks bucked a long-running trend by overachieving last season. Their 41-31 record was miles better than anyone expected. A projected win total of 41.5 is still a bit generous given what they did in the offseason and the improvement we can expect from many of their Eastern Conference rivals.

New York feasted on weaker teams last year. They went just 15-21 against teams over .500, and with the standard in the East improving, there won’t be many easy wins for Tom Thibodeau’s team. They were overmatched against the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs, and as it stands, the Knicks’ roster isn’t in the top eight in the East. They are very reliant on a bounce back from Kemba Walker or a breakout from one of their young players.

While the defense was legitimately great last season, it’s a big ask for the Knicks to play .500 ball again. The Heat, Celtics, Pacers, Bulls and Raptors will all be much stronger this year.

The Clippers also look like a good under bet. Leonard is unlikely to play in the regular season. That means a lot of pressure on Paul George’s performances and his health. Even if George puts in an All-NBA campaign once again, he’s short on help. There’s huge dependence on Reggie Jackson playing somewhere near his playoff level.

Taking a chance on Justise Winslow makes sense given their situation, and Eric Bledsoe should help keep defensive standards high, but there’s no margin for error here. An injury to George and they will miss the playoffs. Even if he’s healthy and at his best, the Clippers are probably a .500-ish team. Under 45.5 wins looks a safe bet.

• Picks: Knicks under 41.5, Clippers under 45.5