The NBA preseason is underway and what an exciting year we have in store for the upcoming 2022-23 season. With the return of many stars and parity in both conferences, this is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons we’ve seen in a long time. Let’s dive into my five favorite NBA win totals with that sentiment in mind.
5 NBA Win Totals For The 2022-23 Season
When jumping into NBA win totals this season, it was important for me to look at the success teams had last year and whether or not they have built upon that in the off-season. Factoring in all the additions and losses for each team is crucial when making season-long bets like these. Getting some luck with injuries doesn’t hurt either. With that being said, let’s dive in!
Brooklyn Nets Over 50.5 Wins (-120)
This is my favorite NBA win total heading into the season.
Brooklyn is a very interesting team to watch out for this year. The Nets finished last season 44-38, and they’ll look to bounce back after getting swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. The Nets have had a wild offseason but it’s not like anything is new with that. Beyond all the drama, speculation, and noise the Nets have addressed their glaring weaknesses and put together a powerful roster.
The Nets were able to win 44 regular season games last season. That’s despite Kyrie Irving missing 53 games, Kevin Durant missing 27 games, and Joe Harris missing almost the entire year. Simply put, this team hasn’t been healthy at any point over the last two seasons.
You can’t ignore the Nets’ depth, as this team has been assembled to compete for a championship. Ben Simmons is coming into the season fully healthy, and he brings that wing defender the Nets have desperately needed. The additions and return of “three and D” players like Royce O’Neal, T.J. Warren, and a healthy Joe Harris are essential for this team competing at a high level night in and night out.
Overall this is a team that will be starting Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons. The Nets have built on that foundation with quality complementary talent, and I struggle to see them winning anything less than 51 games.
Where to bet: Brooklyn Nets Over 50.5 wins | -120 at Draftkings Sportsbook
Phoenix Suns Under 52.5 Wins (-125)
The Phoenix Suns had a disappointing end to their season last year and they return this year with little to no improvement. Led by an aging Chris Paul alongside superstar Devin Booker, this Suns team comes into the season with no true bucket getters beyond the two. That could be a problem. After all, the Suns rely heavily on Booker’s jumper. When he struggles, the team has trouble putting the ball in the basket consistently. The Suns have a nearly identical roster while every other team in the west improved considerably.
Coming off a 64-18 regular season record last year, I feel the books have put too much respect on this team. Are we really backing the Suns to get 53 wins in a conference where so many superstars returned? The number is inflated due to the success of this team in the past.
Throughout the offseason, the Suns organization basically came out and said they don’t view Deandre Ayton as a max player. Ayton then went out and got an offer forcing Phoenix to match or lose him and they reluctantly matched the sheet. Ayton was visibly unhappy throughout interviews during training camp and also mentioned to the media he hadn’t spoken to head coach Monty Williams all summer, raising even more red flags about the team chemistry as a whole.
With Jae Crowder now requesting a trade, it looks like Cam Johnson will be inserted into the starting lineup to start the season. I see the Suns starting their season off real shaky and I think they struggle to get to 50 wins. Expectations are high, which makes it a perfect time to take the under.
Where to bet: Phoenix Suns Under 52.5 Wins | -125 at Draftkings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Lakers Over 45.5 Wins (+105)
The Lakers are going to be one of the weirdest teams to handicap this year. In all honesty, everyone is expecting them to fail. This team was meme’d night in and night out last year, but I believe Anthony Davis’ return could make things interesting.
It’s no surprise the Lakers were a massive disappointment last season, but the honest truth is they were missing a top 10 NBA talent almost the entire year. Critics have labeled the Lakers’ big three a bust, but how can you really say that? The trio of LeBron James, Davis, and Russell Westbrook played only 21 games together! That’s not mentioning Kendrick Nunn missing the entire season.
With the addition of Patrick Beverly and now a healthy Kendrick Nunn, the Lakers finally have solid role players that can help keep this team afloat. A fully healthy Lakers squad that we have entering this season is going to be a dangerous one. There’s no denying a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis are top 10 talents in the NBA. Being able to play through Davis will take a lot of stress off the shoulders of James and Westbrook.
This bet sitting at 45.5 wins is basically a bet on the Lakers to make the playoffs or not. I see this team making it a priority to avoid the play-in game, getting to 46-plus wins.
Where to bet: Los Angeles Lakers Over 45.5 wins | +105 at Draftkings Sportsbook
Philadelphia 76ers Over 50.5 Wins (-120)
The 76ers finished last season 51-31, and the oddsmakers have set their win total at 50.5 this time around. I believe now is a good time to buy in on the 76ers. Having a full off-season to plan and develop together, James Harden and Joel Embiid are ready to take the NBA by storm.
The 76ers are a deep team who got even better during the off-season. They were able to add players that gel perfectly with James Hardens playing style. Being able to recruit guys like PJ Tucker and Daniel House, this is a team full of playmakers mixed with elite defenders. Tyrese Maxey is someone to look out for this year, at such a young age he’s already developing into a star. Players like Tucker, Maxey, Harris, and Thybulle around the elite duo of Harden and Embiid will help take this team from pretender to contender real quick.
We should see a rejuvenated James Harden and MVP runner-up in Joel Embiid thrive while the surrounding talent fills in the cracks. Philadelphia is going to be a tough team to beat every single night in the NBA, and the Sixers should hit at least 51 wins.
Where to bet: Philadelphia 76ers over 50.5 wins | -120 at Draftkings Sportsbook
Minnesota Timberwolves Over 48.5 Wins (-120)
For our final bet in this NBA win totals list, we shift our attention to the Timberwolves. Minnesota made the most underrated move of the off-season while acquiring a former Defensive Player of the Year in Rudy Gobert. Sure, they gave up a ton of assets and draft capital, but it bodes well for the Wolves win total. This move allows Karl-Anthony Towns to shift and play the four, fitting more to his style of basketball.
The Timberwolves were able to acquire veteran forward Kyle Anderson and I think he meshes perfectly with this team as a whole. Other underrated guard acquisitions, Austin Rivers and Bryn Forbes, signed in free agency. This brings more veteran depth to this squad. The Wolves are definitely gearing up for a playoff run.
Anthony Edwards showed in the postseason he is on a clear path to superstardom. Bring back D’Angelo Russell and Towns, then add Gobert to the mix, and voila, you have a starting five that can compete among the NBA’s bets. Not only that, but this team is deep and talented in all facets of the game. Matching up with them is going to be a nightmare for the rest of the league.
It’s hard to ignore how good this team is on paper. The Wolves were solid last season despite getting consistently beaten at the rim and on the glass. Acquiring Rudy Gobert solves both of those problems.
Needless to say, the Timberwolves are built and destined for success. I see them flying over their win total this year.
Where to bet: Minnesota Timberwolves over 48.5 wins | -120 at Draftkings Sportsbook