by Jazz Ray
Sunday, Sep 28, 2025The NBA tips off with a double-header on October 21st. I can't wait! In the first game of the opening-night doubleheader, the Thunder will receive their championship rings and raise the first championship banner in Oklahoma City. They'll host Houston with 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant making his debut for the Rockets. These are expected to be two of this season's best teams-see below. The champs are currently favored by eight points.
If you don't mind tying up your money for a few months, NBA team O/U wins can provide great opportunities to profit. The lines also provide some insight into what we can expect in the upcoming season. For example, based on the projected O/U lines, the top three teams in the East this year will be the Cavaliers, Knicks and Magic.
NBA Team Projections: Observations
In looking at the following NBA projected number of team wins, courtesy of Draft Kings on September 28th, a few things jumped out at me.
If you don't mind tying up your money for a few months, NBA team O/U wins can provide great opportunities to profit. The lines also provide some insight into what we can expect in the upcoming season. For example, based on the projected O/U lines, the top three teams in the East this year will be the Cavaliers, Knicks and Magic.
NBA Team Projections: Observations
In looking at the following NBA projected number of team wins, courtesy of Draft Kings on September 28th, a few things jumped out at me.
- The Thunder are expected to be the best team (62.5 wins) by quite a bit.
- The Jazz are going to be terrible, likely the worst overall. The next three worst teams are from the East
- Outside of the Jazz, the West appears stronger than the East
- The Magic are expected to win more than 50 games this season, far more than the Celtics. What happened to Boston?
- The Raptors O/U line looks like great value to me. Skip to the bottom to find out why I think so!
Regular Season Wins O/U Lines
OKC Thunder
Over 62.5 +100
Under 62.5 −120
CLE Cavaliers
Over 56.5−115
Under 56.5 −105
HOU Rockets
Over 53.5 −105
Under 53.5 −120
DEN Nuggets
Over 53.5 −120
Under 53.5 +100
NY Knicks
Over 53.5−110
Under 53.5 −110
ORL Magic
Over 50.5 −120
Under 50.5 −110
MIN Timberwolves
Over 49.5 +100
Under 49.5 −120
LA Clippers
Over 48.5 +100
Under 48.5 −125
ATL Hawks
Over 47.5 −105
Under 47.5 −115
LA Lakers
Over 48.5 −110
Under 48.5 −110
GS Warriors
Over 46.5 +100
Under 46.5 −120
DET Pistons
Over 45.5 −110
Under 45.5 −110
MIL Bucks
Over 43.5 −115
Under 43.5−105
SA Spurs
Over 43.5 −105
Under 43.5 −115
PHI 76ers
Over 42.5 −105
Under 42.5 −115
BOS Celtics
Over 40.5 −120
Under 40.5 −105
MEM Grizzlies
Over 39.5 −110
Under 39.5 -110
DAL Mavericks
Over 39.5 −115
Under 39.5 −105
MIA Heat
Over 36.5 −115
Under 36.5 −110
IND Pacers
Over 38.5 +100
Under 38.5 −120
TOR Raptors
Over 37.5 −110
Under 37.5 −110
SAC Kings
Over 36.5 +100
Under 36..5 −120
POR Trail Blazers
Over 34.5 −115
Under 34.5 −105
CHI Bulls
Over 32.5 +100
Under 32.5 −120
PHO Suns
Over 30.5 −120
Under 30.5 +100
NO Pelicans
Over 30.5 −105
Under 30.5 -115
CHA Hornets
Over 25.5 −115
Under 25.5 −105
WAS Wizards
Over 20.5 −120
Under 20.5 +100
BKN Nets
Over 20.5 −110
Under 20.5 −110
UTA Jazz
Over 18.5 −110
Under 18.5 −110
PICK: TORONTO RAPTORS OVER 37.5 WINS
After a 30-win season in 2024-25, can the Raptors add at least eight more victories this year? I believe they will. Here's why: The Raptors are a young, ascending team with another year of growth for Scottie Barnes and his teammates to gel. Missing the playoffs since 2022 puts pressure on this squad to step up, backed by a stellar front office and passionate fanbase with high expectations.
Last season’s injury woes hampered the Raptors, but better health should boost their record. They finished strong, going 22-21 in their last 43 games, building a deep rotation and making a massive defensive jump—from 26th to 2nd in defensive rating post-All-Star break. Coach Darko Rajaković, now in his third year, leads his strongest roster yet. The Eastern Conference offers plenty of winnable games against weaker teams. Toronto got off to an 8-31 start last season. That's not happening again. Play on the Raptors to exceed 37.5 wins.
