Vegas sportsbook: Cavaliers projected to win 58.5 games
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the odds-on favorite to win more regular season games than any other team, according to the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas.
Cleveland is projected to win 58.5 games next season. The Oklahoma City Thunder (57.5), defending champion San Antonio Spurs (56.5), Chicago Bulls (55.5), Los Angeles Clippers (55.5) and the Golden State Warriors (50.5) round out the teams projected to win 50-plus games. Last season, the Cavaliers were projected to win 40 games, but finished 33-49.
San Antonio won an NBA-high 62 games last season in route to a five-game NBA Finals thumping of the Miami Heat, who won 56 games in 2013-14, but their win total is set at 43.5.
Cleveland made a big splash this offseason, acquiring All-Star forward Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves and signing four-time NBA MVP LeBron James.
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Last season's top team in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers, won 56 games, but are projected at 32.5 wins with the loss of Paul George to a broken leg and forward Lance Stephenson leaving for the Charlotte Hornets in free agency.
The Milwaukee Bucks had the league’s worst record last season at 15-67. With new coach Jason Kidd and No. 2 overall draft pick Jabari Parker, the Bucks’ number is set at 24.5. The Philadelphia 76ers (15.5) are projected to win the fewest games next season.
The regular season starts Oct. 28, with three games scheduled: the Orlando Magic on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Dallas Mavericks at the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets taking on the Los Angeles Lakers.
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