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Here’s a quick look at the 2016-17 NBA win totals per Las Vegas SuperBook:
2016-2017 NBA Season win totals via @LVSuperBook pic.twitter.com/breOlboYvO
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) September 20, 2016
The Raptors, who won 56 games last season, and had 49 and 48 win seasons the two years prior, have their win total set at 49.5. For comparison, the Boston Celtics — considered the second-best team in the East by some after their signing of Al Horford — are at 51.5.
Does this mean the prognosticators believe the Celtics are a better team than the Raptors? Well, not necessarily. Keep in mind:
re: Celtics, Raptors totals - dont forget that vegas totals are partially designed for people to bet on them https://t.co/kT5MpuE78S
— William Lou (@william_lou) September 20, 2016
If you believe that the 56 wins last season was the height of what this Raptors roster can do (and take into consideration the changes on the team this offseason ie. Bismack Biyombo out, Jared Sullinger in), and that the East has improved in general (ie. Boston and New York within the division), then the 49.5 win total set for betting sounds reasonable.
What you think?