Southeast Division 2024-25 Season Win Total Predictions | NBA Picks & Best Bets
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
The NBA season is around the corner, and the Central Division is shaping up to be fun, so here are our win total predictions for each team in the division.
Atlanta Hawks OVER 36.5 Wins (-122) | Hawks Depth Chart
To most, the Atlanta Hawks got worse this offseason as they traded away Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, but the pairing of Murray and Trae Young was a disaster for the Hawks. They stunk when both were on the floor together and looked vastly better when one was injured. Quin Snyder is a quality coach who will build a reliable system around Young, putting the Hawks squarely in Play-In Tournament contention. It remains to be seen whether or not they’ll claim one of those spots, but this team will be nearing 40 wins by year’s end. We’ll lean to the over but won’t officially tout it.
Charlotte Hornets OVER 31.5 Wins (+104) | Hornets Depth Chart
This might be my favorite win total bet on the board, and I’m getting it at plus money! I’m all in on the Charlotte Hornets making a leap this season. I’ll also be playing them to make the playoffs at +410. I’m bullish about what new head coach Charles Lee can do with this young group after Steve Clifford looked incapable of getting the most out of this team last year, and I’m counting on a huge leap from Brandon Miller into All-Star contention, much like we saw with Paolo Banchero last season. A tandem of LaMelo Ball and Miller will be prolific, along with Miles Bridges and Mark Williams being solid contributors. I expect this team to hover around .500 most of the season and make the postseason. Every year, some team comes out of nowhere and turns heads; this year, it’s Buzz City.
Miami Heat UNDER 43.5 Wins (-106) | Heat Depth Chart
Expecting Erik Spoelstra to be under .500 is not something I’m excited to do, but I struggle to believe in this Miami Heat team. Jimmy Butler looks to be on the outs and riding out his final contract year after regressing last season, and we’ve seen plenty of times that a team led by Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro isn’t good enough. I still expect the Heat to make the Play-In Tournament, but a 40-42 or 41-41 record sounds about right for this team.
Orlando Magic UNDER 47.5 Wins (-108) | Magic Depth Chart
Expectations are high for the Orlando Magic; frankly, they should be. After taking a massive leap into the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt with a 47-35 record, the Magic took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games before falling in the first round. This offseason, they added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to bring in championship experience and provide shooting on the wing. Still, I needed to see more from the Magic this summer. As much as I believe Paolo Banchero is this team’s top option for the next decade, I need to see more from Franz Wagner to believe in him as a second scoring option. I don’t think he has what it takes, and like last season, I struggle to see where the scoring comes from. Overall, this team will be right in the heat of the East playoff race, but I’ll slightly lean to the under as I anticipate them winning 45 games.
Washington Wizards OVER 20.5 Wins (-118) | Wizards Depth Chart
Comparing the Washington Wizards to the Detroit Pistons, I struggle to understand why the Pistons are projected to win 25.5 games after winning 14 last season. Plus, the Wizards are projected for 20.5 wins after claiming 15 victories last season. Not much differentiates these two teams, and, if anything, I’m more excited about the Wizards. Jordan Poole can’t be as bad as last season, Kyle Kuzma can put together solid performances, Bilal Coulibaly should take a leap, Jonas Valancuinas will bring stability to the center position, and Alex Sarr has loads of upside. Plus, Malcolm Brogdon will bring a veteran presence to the bench when healthy, and Corey Kispert is an above-average NBA role player. This team won’t be good, but they won’t be 20-win bad.
All Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
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