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Poll: How Long Will Sixers Remain Undefeated?

November 4th, 2019 at 11:04am CST by Luke Adams

Six days ago, we asked which of the NBA’s four undefeated teams would be the last to lose. One after another, over the next three nights, the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Spurs removed themselves from that conversation, suffering their first losses of the young season and leaving the Sixers as the last undefeated team standing.

With a one-point win over Portland on Saturday night, the 76ers kept that streak alive, and will enter tonight’s action with a 5-0 record. Buoyed by the NBA’s best rebounding rate and a defense that leads the league in steals, Philadelphia has put together its streak while still finding its way on offense. Now we’ll see how just much longer the club can stay out of the loss column.

Although Saturday’s win over the Trail Blazers was a good one, it was just the start of a challening road trip for the Sixers, who will play in Phoenix tonight, in Utah on Wednesday, and in Denver on Friday.

If Philadelphia can make it through that gauntlet unscathed, the team will be rewarded with winnable home games against the Hornets (November 10) and Cavaliers (Nov. 12) before going back on the road to face Orlando (Nov. 13), Oklahoma City (Nov. 15), and Cleveland again (Nov. 17).

The most likely scenario for the Sixers is dropping one of this week’s road games — the Jazz and Nuggets are expected to be among the West’s best teams, while the Suns are off to a good start and won’t have to face Joel Embiid, who is serving the final game of his two-game suspension tonight.

Plus, over the last few years, the NBA’s last undefeated team typically hasn’t gotten much further than this point without losing. The Bucks started 7-0 in 2018; the Clippers and Spurs went 4-0 in 2017; and the Cavaliers went 6-0 to open the 2016/17 season.

Of course, it wouldn’t be unprecedented for Philadelphia to continue its season-opening win streak into the double digits. In fact, the Warriors did much better than that in the fall of 2015 when they opened the season with an incredible 24-game winning streak. That Golden State squad was also the NBA’s best regular season team of all-time though, finishing the year with a 73-9 record. It seems safe to say the Sixers aren’t on that level.

What do you think? Will the 76ers’ run as the league’s last undefeated team end soon, or can they keep this streak going for at least few more games?

Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your prediction.

When will the Sixers lose their first game?
November 6 (at Utah) 34.11% (308 votes)
November 4 (at Phoenix) 23.03% (208 votes)
November 8 (at Denver) 22.81% (206 votes)
Not for at least two more weeks 15.84% (143 votes)
Sometime next week (vs. Cle, @ Orl, @ OKC, @ Cle) 3.88% (35 votes)
November 10 (vs. Charlotte) 0.33% (3 votes)
Total Votes: 903

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

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Poll: Which Team Will Stay Winless Longest?

October 30th, 2019 at 11:04am CST by Luke Adams

On Tuesday, we published a poll asking which of the NBA’s four remaining undefeated teams would be the last to lose. The Nuggets received nearly 40% of the vote, making them the top choice, then promptly lost their first game about 12 hours later.

Today, we’ll shift our focus to the NBA’s three winless teams and see if we have more success forecasting their short-term futures. After eight days, there are three teams around the league that have yet to win a game. The Pelicans and Kings each have 0-4 records while the Pacers are 0-3.

The Pelicans were a popular dark horse playoff pick during the preseason, but they’ve been hit with injuries early on this year — they’re playing without star rookie Zion Williamson, and key veterans Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors have missed time as well. Still, it’s not as if they’ve been blown off the floor in the first week. Despite a pretty tough schedule, New Orleans hasn’t lost by more than 11 points.

The same can’t be said of the Kings, who have been disastrous on the road so far, losing by 29 points in Phoenix and 32 in Utah. They’ve also dropped home games to the Blazers and Nuggets, digging an early hole for themselves as they look to improve upon last year’s 39-43 record and compete for a postseason spot.

De’Aaron Fox (.392 FG%), Buddy Hield (.351), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (.275) haven’t been making shots so far, and the team has missed Marvin Bagley III, who suffered a thumb fracture on opening night. The Kings have too much talent to be this bad, but so far they have the NBA’s worst net rating by a substantial margin, ranking in the bottom five on both offense and defense.

The Pacers, meanwhile, are trying to adjust to having four new players in their starting lineup and are without star guard Victor Oladipo. They can’t blame their schedule for their slow start, as they’ve dropped two games to a Pistons squad without Blake Griffin and one to the Cavaliers. Indiana also hasn’t shown yet that it has the firepower necessary to fight back from a defect, ranking 29th in the NBA in pace and dead last in made three-pointers per game.

These three teams have the following games on tap as they look to get in the win column:

  • Pelicans: vs. Den (10/31), @ OKC (11/2), @ Bkn (11/4), vs. Tor (11/8), @ Cha (11/9)
  • Kings: vs. Cha (10/30), vs. Utah (11/1), @ NYK (11/3), @ Tor (11/6), @ Atl (11/8)
  • Pacers: @ Bkn (10/30), vs. Cle (11/1), vs. Chi (11/3), @ Cha (11/5), vs. Wsh (11/6)

New Orleans probably has the most challenging short-term schedule, and would become this season’s last winless team by default if Sacramento and Indiana both win tonight. But the Pels have arguably looked the best of the three teams so far, and Holiday and Favors appear close to returning.

What do you think? Which of the NBA’s three winless teams will be the last to earn a victory?

Vote in our poll, then head to comment section below to weigh in!

Which winless team will be the last to win a game?
New Orleans Pelicans 48.42% (383 votes)
Sacramento Kings 36.66% (290 votes)
Indiana Pacers 14.92% (118 votes)
Total Votes: 791

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

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Poll: Which Team Will Stay Undefeated Longest?

October 29th, 2019 at 10:01am CST by Luke Adams

No NBA team has played more than four games in the first seven days of the 2019/20 regular season, but only four clubs didn’t lose during that stretch. The Sixers, Nuggets, Spurs, and Timberwolves are all 3-0.

It’s no surprise that Philadelphia and Denver are off to strong starts. Both teams are expected to finish near the top of their respective conferences this season — I had them as the No. 1 seeds in my preseason predictions.

However, the early three-game winning streaks from San Antonio and Minnesota are a little more unexpected. Neither team has had a brutal schedule to start the season, with the Spurs picking up home wins vs. the Knicks, Wizards, and Trail Blazers, while the Wolves won in Brooklyn, in Charlotte, and at home against the Heat.

Still, their hot starts have been promising. Karl-Anthony Towns is putting up MVP-caliber numbers in the early going for the Wolves (32.0 PPG, 13.3 RPG). The Spurs have had a more balanced attack, led by DeMar DeRozan (22.0 PPG) and LaMarcus Aldridge (21.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and complemented by players like now-healthy guard Dejounte Murray (14.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 6.0 APG).

The four undefeated teams have the following games on tap as they look to extend their winning streaks to start the season:

  • Sixers: vs. Min (10/30), @ Por (11/2), @ Phx (11/4), @ Utah (11/6), @ Den (11/8)
  • Nuggets: vs. Dal (10/29), @ NO (10/31), @ Orl (11/2), vs. Mia (11/5), vs. Phi (11/8)
  • Spurs: @ LAC (10/31), @ GSW (11/1), vs. LAL (11/3), @ Atl (11/5), vs. OKC (11/7)
  • Timberwolves: @ Phi (10/30), @ Wash (11/2), vs. Mil (11/4), @ Mem (11/6), vs. GSW (11/8)

The Spurs have a brutal three-game stretch on tap beginning on Thursday, though at least one of the Sixers or Wolves will have lost a game by that point, as those two teams are set to face one another on Wednesday. Even if the 76ers beat Minnesota, they have a tough Western road trip up next, with games in Portland, Phoenix, and Utah before they’d get a chance to face Denver. Of course, the Nuggets’ schedule isn’t exactly a cakewalk up until that point either, starting tonight vs. Luka Doncic and the Mavs.

What do you think? Which of this season’s undefeated teams will keep its streak going the longest and be the last to lose in 2019/20?

Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your two cents!

Which undefeated team will be the last to lose?
Denver Nuggets 39.57% (474 votes)
Philadelphia 76ers 37.65% (451 votes)
Minnesota Timberwolves 14.86% (178 votes)
San Antonio Spurs 7.93% (95 votes)
Total Votes: 1,198

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

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2019/20 Over/Unders: Southwest Division

October 18th, 2019 at 8:30am CST by Luke Adams

The 2019/20 NBA regular season will get underway in just four days, which means it’s time to get serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign.

With the help of the lines from a handful of sports betting sites, including Bovada and BetOnline, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

Having already looked at the other five divisions, we’re moving onto the Southwest today…

Houston Rockets

How many games will the Rockets win in 2019/20?
Under 54.5 53.74% (151 votes)
Over 54.5 46.26% (130 votes)
Total Votes: 281

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Rockets poll.

San Antonio Spurs

How many games will the Spurs win in 2019/20?
Over 46.5 50.17% (147 votes)
Under 46.5 49.83% (146 votes)
Total Votes: 293

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Spurs poll.

Dallas Mavericks

How many games will the Mavericks win in 2019/20?
Over 41.5 67.35% (229 votes)
Under 41.5 32.65% (111 votes)
Total Votes: 340

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Mavericks poll.

New Orleans Pelicans

How many games will the Pelicans win in 2019/20?
Under 39.5 53.76% (150 votes)
Over 39.5 46.24% (129 votes)
Total Votes: 279

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Pelicans poll.

Memphis Grizzlies

How many games will the Grizzlies win in 2019/20?
Under 27.5 67.44% (174 votes)
Over 27.5 32.56% (84 votes)
Total Votes: 258

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Grizzlies poll.

Previous voting results:

Atlantic:

  • Philadelphia 76ers (54.5 wins): Over (54.9%)
  • Boston Celtics (49.5 wins): Under (57.0%)
  • Toronto Raptors (46.5 wins): Under (59.1%)
  • Brooklyn Nets (43.5 wins): Over (58.3%)
  • New York Knicks (27.5 wins): Under (54.9%)

Central:

  • Milwaukee Bucks (57.5 wins): Over (63.5%)
  • Indiana Pacers (46.5 wins): Over (56.6%)
  • Detroit Pistons (37.5 wins): Over (69.8%)
  • Chicago Bulls (33.5 wins): Under (56.2%)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (24.5 wins): Under (70.0%)

Southeast:

  • Miami Heat (43.5 wins): Over (61.8%)
  • Orlando Magic (41.5 wins): Over (52.0%)
  • Atlanta Hawks (33.5 wins): Over (60.2%)
  • Washington Wizards (26.5 wins): Under (65.5%)
  • Charlotte Hornets (23.5 wins): Under (71.2%)

Northwest:

  • Denver Nuggets (53.5 wins): Over (51.8%)
  • Utah Jazz (53.5 wins): Under (50.8%)
  • Portland Trail Blazers (46.5 wins): Over (78.7%)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (35.5 wins): Under (57.5%)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (32.5 wins): Under (55.1%)

Pacific:

  • Los Angeles Clippers (54.5 wins): Over (53.9%)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (51.5 wins): Over (50.3%)
  • Golden State Warriors (48.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
  • Sacramento Kings (38.5 wins): Over (66.2%)
  • Phoenix Suns (29.5 wins): Under (61.8%)
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2019/20 Over/Unders: Southeast Division

October 16th, 2019 at 10:28am CST by Luke Adams

The 2019/20 NBA regular season will get underway in just six days, which means it’s time to get serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign.

With the help of the lines from a handful of sports betting sites, including Bovada and BetOnline, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

Having already looked at the Atlantic, Northwest, Central, and Pacific, we’re moving onto the Southeast today…

Miami Heat

How many games will the Heat win in 2019/20?
Over 43.5 61.83% (230 votes)
Under 43.5 38.17% (142 votes)
Total Votes: 372

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Heat poll.

Orlando Magic

How many games will the Magic win in 2019/20?
Over 41.5 52.01% (168 votes)
Under 41.5 47.99% (155 votes)
Total Votes: 323

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Magic poll.

Atlanta Hawks

How many games will the Hawks win in 2019/20?
Over 33.5 60.17% (207 votes)
Under 33.5 39.83% (137 votes)
Total Votes: 344

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Hawks poll.

Washington Wizards

How many games will the Wizards win in 2019/20?
Under 26.5 65.48% (203 votes)
Over 26.5 34.52% (107 votes)
Total Votes: 310

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Wizards poll.

Charlotte Hornets

How many games will the Hornets win in 2019/20?
Under 23.5 71.19% (215 votes)
Over 23.5 28.81% (87 votes)
Total Votes: 302

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Hornets poll.

Previous voting results:

Atlantic:

  • Philadelphia 76ers (54.5 wins): Over (54.9%)
  • Boston Celtics (49.5 wins): Under (57.0%)
  • Toronto Raptors (46.5 wins): Under (59.1%)
  • Brooklyn Nets (43.5 wins): Over (58.3%)
  • New York Knicks (27.5 wins): Under (54.9%)

Northwest:

  • Denver Nuggets (53.5 wins): Over (51.8%)
  • Utah Jazz (53.5 wins): Under (50.8%)
  • Portland Trail Blazers (46.5 wins): Over (78.7%)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (35.5 wins): Under (57.5%)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (32.5 wins): Under (55.1%)

Central:

  • Milwaukee Bucks (57.5 wins): Over (63.5%)
  • Indiana Pacers (46.5 wins): Over (56.6%)
  • Detroit Pistons (37.5 wins): Over (69.8%)
  • Chicago Bulls (33.5 wins): Under (56.2%)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (24.5 wins): Under (70.0%)

Pacific:

  • Los Angeles Clippers (54.5 wins): Over (53.9%)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (51.5 wins): Over (50.3%)
  • Golden State Warriors (48.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
  • Sacramento Kings (38.5 wins): Over (66.2%)
  • Phoenix Suns (29.5 wins): Under (61.8%)
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2019/20 Over/Unders: Pacific Division

October 14th, 2019 at 9:50am CST by Luke Adams

The 2019/20 NBA regular season will get underway in just eight days, which means it’s time to get serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign.

With the help of the lines from a handful of sports betting sites, including Bovada and BetOnline, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

Having already looked at the Atlantic, Northwest, and Central, we’re moving onto the Pacific today…

Los Angeles Clippers

How many games will the Clippers win in 2019/20?
Over 54.5 53.90% (297 votes)
Under 54.5 46.10% (254 votes)
Total Votes: 551

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Clippers poll.

Los Angeles Lakers

How many games will the Lakers win in 2019/20?
Over 51.5 50.34% (293 votes)
Under 51.5 49.66% (289 votes)
Total Votes: 582

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Lakers poll.

Golden State Warriors

How many games will the Warriors win in 2019/20?
Over 48.5 54.27% (305 votes)
Under 48.5 45.73% (257 votes)
Total Votes: 562

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Warriors poll.

Sacramento Kings

How many games will the Kings win in 2019/20?
Over 38.5 66.21% (341 votes)
Under 38.5 33.79% (174 votes)
Total Votes: 515

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Kings poll.

Phoenix Suns

How many games will the Suns win in 2019/20?
Under 29.5 61.78% (320 votes)
Over 29.5 38.22% (198 votes)
Total Votes: 518

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Suns poll.

Previous voting results:

Atlantic:

  • Philadelphia 76ers (54.5 wins): Over (54.9%)
  • Boston Celtics (49.5 wins): Under (57.0%)
  • Toronto Raptors (46.5 wins): Under (59.1%)
  • Brooklyn Nets (43.5 wins): Over (58.3%)
  • New York Knicks (27.5 wins): Under (54.9%)

Northwest:

  • Denver Nuggets (53.5 wins): Over (51.8%)
  • Utah Jazz (53.5 wins): Under (50.8%)
  • Portland Trail Blazers (46.5 wins): Over (78.7%)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (35.5 wins): Under (57.5%)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (32.5 wins): Under (55.1%)

Central:

  • Milwaukee Bucks (57.5 wins): Over (63.5%)
  • Indiana Pacers (46.5 wins): Over (56.6%)
  • Detroit Pistons (37.5 wins): Over (69.8%)
  • Chicago Bulls (33.5 wins): Under (56.2%)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (24.5 wins): Under (70.0%)
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2019/20 Over/Unders: Central Division

October 11th, 2019 at 3:06pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2019/20 NBA regular season will get underway in less than two weeks, which means it’s time to start getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign.

With the help of the lines from a handful of sports betting sites, including Bovada and BetOnline, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

Having already looked at the Atlantic and Northwest, we’re moving onto the Central today…

Milwaukee Bucks

How many games will the Bucks win in 2019/20?
Over 57.5 63.49% (353 votes)
Under 57.5 36.51% (203 votes)
Total Votes: 556

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Bucks poll.

Indiana Pacers

How many games will the Pacers win in 2019/20?
Over 46.5 56.60% (253 votes)
Under 46.5 43.40% (194 votes)
Total Votes: 447

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Pacers poll.

Detroit Pistons

How many games will the Pistons win in 2019/20?
Over 37.5 69.75% (309 votes)
Under 37.5 30.25% (134 votes)
Total Votes: 443

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Pistons poll.

Chicago Bulls

How many games will the Bulls win in 2019/20?
Under 33.5 56.24% (275 votes)
Over 33.5 43.76% (214 votes)
Total Votes: 489

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Bulls poll.

Cleveland Cavaliers

How many games will the Cavaliers win in 2019/20?
Under 24.5 70.00% (308 votes)
Over 24.5 30.00% (132 votes)
Total Votes: 440

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Cavaliers poll.

Previous voting results:

Atlantic:

  • Philadelphia 76ers (54.5 wins): Over (54.9%)
  • Boston Celtics (49.5 wins): Under (57.0%)
  • Toronto Raptors (46.5 wins): Under (59.1%)
  • Brooklyn Nets (43.5 wins): Over (58.3%)
  • New York Knicks (27.5 wins): Under (54.9%)

Northwest:

  • Denver Nuggets (53.5 wins): Over (51.8%)
  • Utah Jazz (53.5 wins): Under (50.8%)
  • Portland Trail Blazers (46.5 wins): Over (78.7%)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (35.5 wins): Under (57.5%)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (32.5 wins): Under (55.1%)
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2019/20 Over/Unders: Northwest Division

October 10th, 2019 at 12:42pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2019/20 NBA regular season will get underway in less than two weeks, which means it’s time to start getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign.

With the help of the lines from a handful of sports betting sites, including Bovada and BetOnline, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

Having already looked at the Atlantic, we’re moving onto the Northwest today…

Denver Nuggets

How many games will the Nuggets win in 2019/20?
Over 53.5 51.75% (163 votes)
Under 53.5 48.25% (152 votes)
Total Votes: 315

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Nuggets poll.

 Utah Jazz

How many games will the Jazz win in 2019/20?
Under 53.5 50.80% (158 votes)
Over 53.5 49.20% (153 votes)
Total Votes: 311

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Jazz poll.

Portland Trail Blazers

How many games will the Trail Blazers win in 2019/20?
Over 46.5 78.71% (244 votes)
Under 46.5 21.29% (66 votes)
Total Votes: 310

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Trail Blazers poll.

Minnesota Timberwolves

How many games will the Timberwolves win in 2019/20?
Under 35.5 57.52% (195 votes)
Over 35.5 42.48% (144 votes)
Total Votes: 339

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Timberwolves poll.

Oklahoma City Thunder

How many games will the Thunder win in 2019/20?
Under 32.5 55.14% (177 votes)
Over 32.5 44.86% (144 votes)
Total Votes: 321

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Thunder poll.

Previous voting results:

Atlantic:

  • Philadelphia 76ers (54.5 wins): Over (54.9%)
  • Boston Celtics (49.5 wins): Under (57.0%)
  • Toronto Raptors (46.5 wins): Under (59.1%)
  • Brooklyn Nets (43.5 wins): Over (58.3%)
  • New York Knicks (27.5 wins): Under (54.9%)
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2019/20 Over/Unders: Atlantic Division

October 8th, 2019 at 6:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2019/20 NBA regular season will get underway in just two weeks, which means it’s time to start getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign.

With the help of the lines from a handful of sports betting sites, including Bovada and BetOnline, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

We’ll kick things off today with the Atlantic division…

Philadelphia 76ers

How many games will the Sixers win in 2019/20?
Over 54.5 54.86% (412 votes)
Under 54.5 45.14% (339 votes)
Total Votes: 751

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Sixers poll.

 Boston Celtics

How many games will the Celtics win in 2019/20?
Under 49.5 57.03% (446 votes)
Over 49.5 42.97% (336 votes)
Total Votes: 782

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Celtics poll.

Toronto Raptors

How many games will the Raptors win in 2019/20?
Under 46.5 59.07% (417 votes)
Over 46.5 40.93% (289 votes)
Total Votes: 706

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Raptors poll.

Brooklyn Nets

How many games will the Nets win in 2019/20?
Over 43.5 58.30% (383 votes)
Under 43.5 41.70% (274 votes)
Total Votes: 657

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Nets poll.

New York Knicks

How many games will the Knicks win in 2019/20?
Under 27.5 54.87% (389 votes)
Over 27.5 45.13% (320 votes)
Total Votes: 709

Trade Rumors app users, click here for Knicks poll.

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Poll: Which Presumed Western Playoff Team Is Most Likely To Slip?

October 7th, 2019 at 10:58am CST by Luke Adams

The final wave of NBA experts’ predictions for the 2019/20 season are still a week or two away, but a general consensus has already formed on the Western Conference’s playoff picture. The most commonly-held belief is that the West’s top eight teams in ’19/20 will look pretty similar to last season’s group, with the Lakers entering the mix and the Thunder dropping out. In other words, the following eight teams are viewed as postseason favorites:

  • Denver Nuggets
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Utah Jazz

The playoff odds set by sports betting sites align with this consensus. Over at Bovada.lv, for instance, oddsmakers consider the Spurs the most tenuous playoff contender of the above group, but even San Antonio has -300 odds. In other words, you’d need to risk $300 on the Spurs making the playoffs in order to net a $100 profit.

While it may look as if the Western Conference has a clear-cut top tier of eight teams, it’s dangerous to assume that everything will play out like we expect. Every year, an NBA prediction that seems obvious in the preseason gets blown up a month or two into the season. It’s certainly possible that these eight teams are the ones left standing in the spring when the playoffs begin, but it’s just as likely that an upstart club or two cracks that top eight. There’s no shortage of contenders, with the Kings, Mavericks, Pelicans, Timberwolves, and Thunder among the Western teams that could surprise.

Of course, if one or more of those presumed lottery teams sneaks into the playoffs, that means at least one of the eight favorites will miss out. We want to know which of those eight teams makes you the most nervous and is most likely to miss the postseason.

Are you skeptical about the Spurs’ ability to extend their playoff streak as DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge get older? Do you think the Warriors have enough depth to withstand the loss of Klay Thompson for most of the season? Are both L.A. teams for real, or could potential health or chemistry issues sink one of them? How about the Trail Blazers — with Jusuf Nurkic out and many of their veteran wings not returning, can they continue to thrive? Are the Rockets susceptible to a down year if James Harden doesn’t go supernova like he did in 2018/19?

Vote below in our poll and then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts on which of the West’s presumed top-eight teams looks the most vulnerable.

Which presumed top-eight team is most likely to miss the playoffs?
San Antonio Spurs 46.12% (511 votes)
Golden State Warriors 16.97% (188 votes)
Los Angeles Lakers 11.91% (132 votes)
Portland Trail Blazers 10.02% (111 votes)
Utah Jazz 5.05% (56 votes)
Houston Rockets 3.79% (42 votes)
Denver Nuggets 3.70% (41 votes)
Los Angeles Clippers 2.44% (27 votes)
Total Votes: 1,108

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