The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team in the NBA that went over its preseason win total before the All-Star Game.
The Cavaliers are 35-23 and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is also one of three teams just 2.5 games back of the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls for the top seed in the conference as the top seven teams are all within five games of each other.
It’s safe to say that oddsmakers were not expecting a playoff season from the Cavaliers. Cleveland entered the season with a win total of 26.5 at BetMGM. The Cavs went over that number on Jan. 17 with a 114-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets that pushed their record to 27-18.
Memphis, meanwhile, could go over its preseason win total on Thursday night at the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Grizzlies are 41-19 and third in the Western Conference. Memphis entered the season with a preseason win total of 41.5. The Grizzlies are the only team who can top their preseason win total in the next few days.
Other teams will definitely go over soon though. Here’s a look at which teams are set to make you some money if you bet the over before the season.
Chicago Bulls
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O/U: 42.5
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Current record: 38-21
The Bulls are tied for first in the East after the additions of DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball. While Ball has missed time because of injury, DeRozan has become a peripheral MVP candidate this season by shooting nearly 52% from the field. Chicago should hit the over by the middle of March at the latest.
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O/U: 48.5
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Current record: 42-17
The Warriors got off to a blazing fast start without Klay Thompson and have slowed down in recent weeks as Steph Curry has been in a slump of sorts. At least for him, anyway. Golden State will still hit its over and should easily eclipse 50 wins before the end of the season as it tries to get a top-three seed in the West.
Miami Heat
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O/U: 48.5
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Current record: 38-21
The Heat are 11 wins away from an over but we’re confident in placing them in this category after they spent the All-Star break in a tie for first in the East. Miami also has two games apiece against the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons along with matchups against the Thunder and Magic.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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O/U: 35.5
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Current record: 31-28
The emergence of 2020 No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards as a second scorer alongside Karl-Anthony Towns has put the Timberwolves in the top six of the West so far. Minnesota has a tough four games coming up with Memphis, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Golden State. But the five games after that include two apiece against Oklahoma City and Portland and a game against the Orlando Magic on March 11. The over is happening soon.
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O/U: 23.5
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Current record: 18-40
Yeah, we’ve mentioned the Thunder as easy wins for teams above, but it’s not out of the question that OKC hits 24 or more wins. This is a team that’s been one of the best in the NBA against the spread and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should return to the court soon. The Thunder have plenty of winnable games left on the schedule too.
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O/U: 51.5
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Current record: 48-10
Phoenix could hit the over on March 2 against Portland. The Suns start the post-break stretch of the season with games at Oklahoma City and then home against New Orleans and the Jazz before two more home games vs. Portland and the Knicks on March 4. The over is happening soon even if Chris Paul could miss the rest of the regular season with a thumb injury.
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O/U: 28.5
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Current record: 23-36
The Spurs are currently 11th in the West but it’s a mess down there. There are four teams in the West between 22 and 25 wins apiece. San Antonio’s schedule isn’t very easy the rest of the way, but the Spurs go over simply by going 6-17. That feels like a good bet.
Toronto Raptors
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O/U: 35.5
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Currrent record: 32-25
The Raptors currently occupy the No. 7 spot in the East and are a half game outside the top six thanks to Boston’s recent surge. Toronto’s next six games are against Charlotte, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Detroit and Orlando. The Raptors could hit or get very close to the over by March 4.
Washington Wizards
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O/U: 33.5
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Current record: 27-31
Can the Wizards go 7-17 the rest of the way? That’s the bet you’re making by thinking the over will hit. Yeah, Bradley Beal is out for the season and who knows when Kristaps Porzingis will return to the court. But this is a team that could be favored in six or seven of its remaining games given a relatively weak schedule in the home stretch.
