Los Angeles Clippers: 35.5 projected wins total is a complete joke
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook published the win totals for NBA teams, placing the Clippers at 35.5, which seems like a complete joke.
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook published their win totals for all the teams in the NBA on Saturday. You can check out all their win totals here on ESPN. Somehow, they only had the Clippers winning 35.5. If you are a gambler, take the over because this is a joke.
Depth is key
This is the biggest factor for me in calling the 35.5 wins a joke. The Clippers, who won 42 games last season, return most of their end of season core and added two solid rookies and some productive veterans off the bench. Their forward depth now features both Luc Mbah a Moute and Mike Scott instead of Sam Dekker. Wesley Johnson will likely be relegated to a smaller role.
Tobias Harris showed that he could be a borderline star last season and still has room to improve. The two rookies could shine off the bench and Sindarius Thornwell already looks even more promising after an outstanding rookie campaign. Montrezl Harrell is back and like Harris, has all the room in the world to grow as a player.
Sindarius Thornwell is the real deal. light. Must Read
Now, injuries can derail this whole argument. While Danilo Gallinari looked great in the NBA Africa game, his health is never a guarantee. Patrick Beverley and Avery Bradley, the team’s likely starting backcourt, also are returning from injuries.
The team also lost All-Star center DeAndre Jordan and Austin Rivers. Although both have capable replacements, their production (mainly DJ) will be hard to replicate.
Still, the team has depth at every position and will be competitive night in and night out.
For comparison
Yes, the West is deep and will be even tougher now that LeBron James has moved to the Lakers. But let’s look at that same team from last season. The Lakers, who many considered not to be a playoff threat, managed to pull off exactly 35 wins last season.
You look at that roster from last season and compare it to this year and tell me who you would take. It shouldn’t be hard. The Clippers pushed for the playoffs last season and damn near made it while riddled with injuries. If they have any semblance of continuity this season, they will be knocking on the doors of the 7th or 8th seed.
Be smarter than Las Vegas. Take the over on the Clippers.