Check out this post for updated season win total odds and this post for my other 29 season win total picks.
Los Angeles Lakers
- The pick: Under 48.5
- Confidence: 1 out of 10
The case for the under: Beyond the Island of Misfit Toys they picked up in the offseason and the general good-not-great perspective on the kiddos, there's a looming factor here for the under: the schedule.
As outlined here, the Lakers have the second-most games with rest disadvantage, the third-least with rest advantage, and eight of their initial 11 games are vs. playoff teams from last season. Throw in the difficult nature of the West, and it sure seems like the lean goes for the under.
I don't know if I can bet against LeBron in a non-Warriors environment. Can you?
The case for the over:I went deep on the difficulty with this number here, but the over's case is pretty simple.
Since first making the playoffs in 2006, LeBron has failed to win 50 games one time. That's the best argument for the over, the simple, unquestionable brilliance and dominance of LeBron James.
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Beyond that? This team was really good when healthy defensively and bring back all the good parts from that defensive team. They add playmakers in Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson, and a finisher in JaVale McGee. Their young guys will improve, and while there are some mixed results, Luke Walton generally grades out well.
The verdict:
Can't go against LeBron. Can't go with a team with this many question marks at that number.
