Lakers: Las Vegas Releases Over-Under Win Totals for 2016-17
By Eric Yee
Westgate Superbook Las Vegas recently released its over-under win totals for every team in the NBA, here’s where the Lakers ranked
Once a perennial title contender, the past few seasons have been rough for the Lakers’ organization and their fan base alike.
But after a 17-65 season, good for last in the Western Conference, second worst overall, and three straight top 10 draft picks, the LA faithful seem to have finally drastically tempered their expectations.
Currently, no realistic fan expects the Lakers to come close to Playoffs. Instead hope lies in the fact that next season will represent the first step in the rebuilding process, similar to what last year was supposed to be.
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Even so, being the prideful group they are, fans will almost assuredly take exception with the prediction that the Lakers will finish with the second lowest win total next season.
Second to only the Brooklyn Nets (20.5 o/u), Westgate Superbook Las Vegas set the Purple and Gold’s over/under at 24.5 games.
Posting his reactions to the standings, here’s what CBS’ Matt Moore had to say about the bet.
"The Lakers at 24.5 seems like a stay-away. A roster that young shouldn’t be able to go for any more, but it’s low enough that even a good month could derail it."
Broken down to its simplest, Las Vegas believes that the subtraction of Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott paired with the addition of Brandon Ingram, Timofey Mozgov, Jose Calderon, Luol Deng and Luke Walton will be good enough for seven and a half more wins.
The obvious silver lining that comes out of this projection is the idea that the Lakers would once again have a fairly good shot at retaining their top-three protected draft pick which is once again owed to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dennis Smith Jr here we come!
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Other notable inclusions are the Golden State Warriors 66.5 win O/U and Minnesota Timberwolves’ 41.5 O/U which places them right at the bottom of the Western Conference Playoff race.