There may not be an NBA division more top-heavy than the Atlantic, where the Celtics, Raptors, and Sixers are all projected to win more than 50 games in 2018/19. However, the Atlantic also features the Nets and Knicks, who are widely expected to finish in the lottery.
In terms of top-to-bottom talent, the Northwest has a stronger case to be considered the NBA’s best division. Last season, four Northwest teams made the playoffs and a fifth missed the postseason by a single game. The five clubs finished the regular season separated by just three games, racking up between 46 and 49 wins apiece.
None of those Northwest clubs took a huge step backward this offseason, but there were no massive upgrades either, with many of the most significant roster moves in the division involving re-signing key free agents. As such, oddsmakers once again view the Northwest as a five-team race, with each of those five teams projected to finish above .500.
According to betting site Bodog.eu, the Thunder are consider the very slight favorites to win the Northwest, with an over/under of 49.5 wins for the season. However, the Jazz (49 wins) and Nuggets (47.5) are right behind them, with the Timberwolves (44.5), and Trail Blazers (42.5) within striking distance.
After we asked you on Monday to assess the top of the Atlantic standings for 2018/19, we’re shifting our focus today to the Northwest.
Will the Blazers repeat as division champions? Will the Thunder or Jazz take a step forward and win the Northwest? Or will the Nuggets or Timberwolves go from vying for the No. 8 seed in the West to battling for the division crown?
Vote below in our poll for the 2018/19 Northwest division winner, then head to the comment section to make your case for your pick.
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
All 5 of these teams have playoff potential. I consider Utah and OKC locks, Portland and Minnesota and Denver are all 6-8 seeds.
They are nothing compared to the flint tropics
Jackie Moon has an unstoppable fade away
I’m going river coach!
Look at last seasons final standings. Has to be a record for being so close.
I like Utah to squeak out the division over OKC, Denver to take third and make the playoffs. Minny ends up 4th and is a bubble playoff team, and Portland falls out though they finish at .500 or just above.
Crazy competitive division.
I feel like Portland, Minnesota, and Utah are all going to take steps back but that’s just me
The flint tropics easily
Counting that MPJ will come back sooner than many expect & healthy, with adding IT & with Jokic happy is gotta be Denver. Followed by OKC or Minny, then Portland & Utah is gonna be for sure the last in the Division, all the other teams have got at least 1 or 2 stars, Utah hasn’t got any star & collective, hard working, deffensive teams have gotten a lower ceiling than teams with match winners, sadly Utah hasn’t got one of those unlike all the other 4 teams, so they will be bottom & out of the playoffs.
Porter is a straight-line guy who hasn’t played since HS, so even if he is healthy, he has to find a game. I bet Barton and Lyles play ahead of him, even though neither is firstly a 3.
Meanwhile Mitchell can find paths to the rim nobody else can.
Nobody on Denver can handle him but everyone on Utah is backed up by Gobert. Utah has great D and playmaking from the guards. Ingles is killin it at the 3 with his shooting, and he has only missed 4 games in 4 years. Utah will be fine as always.
No stars in Utah? What about DPOY and real rookie of the year?
OKC. And it won’t be close.