NBA win totals update: Bettors buying Westbrook-Harden combo
The dust has finally settled following a hectic NBA offseason, setting win totals for the 2019-20 campaign in motion.
The public always seems to veer toward teams that made splashy signings or blockbuster trades; it's no coincidence the Lakers are a popular 'over' bet in the futures market after acquiring Anthony Davis.
According to Caesars senior oddsmaker Alan Berg, there's another team that executed an offseason trade the public seems to like: The Houston Rockets, who landed Thunder guard and eight-time All-Star Russell Westbrook.
"It's all 'over' money on the Rockets thus far, as people are buying into Russ-Harden," Berg told theScore. "It went from 52 to 54. This one I disagree on, but we shall see."
Despite playing in a crowded Western Conference and getting only 58 games out of Chris Paul, the Rockets netted 53 wins last season after pacing the league with 65 during the 2017-18 campaign. After holding mostly steady during the early stages of the summer, Houston dealt Paul, two protected first-rounders, and draft considerations to the Thunder to reunite Westbrook with James Harden.
Five other teams have also seen their win totals rise considerably, according to Berg: The Bulls (from 30.5 to 33), the Warriors (from 47 to 50 to 49.5) the Thunder (from 28 to 32.5), the Magic (from 40.5 to 42.5), and the Suns (from 27 to 30 to 29.5). More specifically, Golden State has seen 92 percent of the tickets come in on the 'over,' while 90 percent of the total handle on Chicago is also in that direction.
Berg also noted the Thunder (31.5), Knicks (28.5), Blazers (46), Jazz (53.5), Spurs (45.5), Pelicans (39.5), and Kings (37.5) are all seeing two-way action at the shop.
Full win totals board
| Team | Win Total |
|---|---|
| Bucks | 57.5 |
| 76ers | 56.5 |
| Clippers | 54.5 |
| Rockets | 54 |
| Jazz | 53.5 |
| Nuggets | 52 |
| Lakers | 51 |
| Celtics | 50 |
| Warriors | 49.5 |
| Pacers | 47 |
| Raptors | 46 |
| Trail Blazers | 46 |
| Spurs | 45.5 |
| Nets | 44 |
| Heat | 44 |
| Magic | 42.5 |
| Mavericks | 40 |
| Pelicans | 39.5 |
| Kings | 37.5 |
| Pistons | 37.5 |
| Timberwolves | 36.5 |
| Bulls | 33 |
| Hawks | 33 |
| Thunder | 31.5 |
| Suns | 29.5 |
| Wizards | 28.5 |
| Knicks | 28.5 |
| Grizzlies | 27 |
| Cavaliers | 24 |
| Hornets | 23 |
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer at theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.