The 2021-22 NBA season is upon us!

It’s time to preview the season — division by division — asking two very important questions for each team:

What’s the case for the Over?
What’s the case for the Under?

5. Sacramento Kings

2021-22 Over/Under: 36.5 wins — 45% winning pct (last season winning pct: 43%)

What’s the case for the Over?

Because he plays in Sac-Town, De’Aaron Fox is one of the most underrated players in the game.

Fox’s scoring has gone up every season he’s been in the league. He’s noticeably been in the weight room, putting on added muscle in the offseason.

Tyrese Haliburton was a sensational rookie. 53-41-86 shooting splits as a rook is just absurd. Luke Walton finally saw the light and put Haliburton in the starting lineup. It only took Walton a ridiculous three months to figure it out.
Davion “Off Night” Mitchell brings his lock-down defense to a team that desperately needs it. Davion not only looked amazing on defense in Summer League and in preseason, but he looked phenomenal on offense as well with a lethal 3-point shot. We know he’s ready to go.
Harrison Barnes is a grinder. Richaun Holmes can hold down the fort. Buddy Hield can snipe from 3 about as good as anybody.
The bench is a bit feisty with Terrence Davis and Moe Harkless back in the Sac.
Alvin Gentry is waiting in the wings!

The Kings are on a mission to put an end to the no-playoff streak, currently standing at a staggering 15 years. Only one away from the record.

What’s the case for the Under?

Luke Walton is still the head coach here.

How much better can the defense actually be with the addition of just one dude? Up until the last two weeks of last season, Sacramento had the worst defensive rating of all-time.
There has been discontent within this organization. Buddy Hield vs. Luke Walton and Marvin Bagley’s dad’s Twitter drama. And has any of it been fully resolved?
The free agency acquisitions of Alex Len and Tristan Thompson aren’t exactly moving the needle.

The Kings are always very streaky. Last season featured not one but two nine-game losing streaks.

Final Prediction: The three-headed monster guard lineup of Fox-Haliburton-Mitchell is too enticing. Over 36.5 wins.

4. Los Angeles Clippers

2021-22 Over/Under: 45.5 wins — 55% winning pct (last season winning pct: 65%)

What’s the case for the Over?

The Clippers looked pretty fucking good in the playoffs without Kawhi.

PG stepped up as the leader. Everyone left on this roster is a believer in Paul George. Paul George Revenge Tour Round II?
Terrance Mann arrived — looking like he could very well be a star one day. How soon? Stay tuned.
Luke Kennard! Kennard’s lefty shooting is capable of catching fire to the point of Brian Sieman yelling: “Luke Kennard is having an out of body experience!!!”
Serge Ibaka will be back at some point. Zubac can keep holding it down until then.
It takes him a while sometimes, but Ty Lue is a good coach who knows his X’s and O’s and can make the necessary adjustments to give the Clips an advantage.

The Clippers were one of the best 3-point shooting teams of all-time last season.

What’s the case for the Under?

No Kawhi is kind of a big deal. The sample-size in the playoffs without him was small and in ideal matchups.

Eric Bledsoe doesn’t have a good track record on his last few teams. Bledsoe is going to log a lot of minutes here.
The same can be said for Reggie Jackson. He was terrific in the playoffs, but can he really sustain that for a full season with higher usage?
How much does Serge Ibaka have left in the tank?

If it starts out bleak, perhaps the Clippers will chalk it up as a truly Lost Season since they likely won’t have Kawhi at all anyway.

Or they could even tank for seeding purposes like they did last year which caused them to hit the Under.

Final Prediction: No Kawhi throughout the course of an entire season feels like a possible sinking ship. Under 45.5 wins.

3. Golden State Warriors

2021-22 Over/Under: 47.5 wins — 58% winning pct (last season winning pct: 54%)

What’s the case for the Over?

The talent, experience and shooting surrounding Steph and Dray has increased dramatically.

And they will be getting Klay back! The spacing is going to be soo much better.

Steph will have a lot more room to cook. Supernova Steph from last April: 37.3 points, 51.8% from the field, 46.6% from 3 (on 13.7 attempts!), 90.8% on free throws and a grand total of 96 made three-pointers. Absolutely bonkers.
Um, have you seen Jordan Poole in the preseason? He’s looked like a poor man’s Steph which is still a very, very rich man. Lineups with both Poole and Steph destroyed opponents last season.
Otto Porter Jr. knocking down corner 3s.
Nemanja Bjelica, the big-man floor-spacer the Warriors have needed.
James Wiseman will only improve with time and experience, he still has such few reps. He can only go up.
Moses Moody looks like he has the 3-ball. Jonathan Kuminga could be an explosive off-the-bench wing.

Steve Kerr is on record as saying they will be chasing wins this season.

What’s the case for the Under?

Steve Kerr runs a complex system that takes some time getting used to and there are new guys here.

Can the defense really be that good again? It’s still hard to believe they finished 5th.
Wiseman is already banged up. And so is Kuminga. Both are dealing with knee injuries. Kuminga is to be re-evaluated in another week and Wiseman on November 1st.
The rebounding will probably still be abysmal as always.

We don’t know how long it might take Klay to look like KLAY.

Final Prediction: With the gang back together, it’s hard not to have a Golden State of Mind. Over 47.5 wins.

2. Phoenix Suns

2021-22 Over/Under: 51.5 wins — 63% winning pct (last season winning pct: 71%)

What’s the case for the Over?

The Suns have arguably the most rock-solid starting 5 in the NBA.

Any team with Chris Paul steering the ship is one with great communication and accountability.
Cookouts with Book will keep on being a good ole time as his body of work and bevy of moves continues to grow.
Ayton will be on a mission to prove he’s worth every penny that the Suns should be paying him.
On the other hand, Mikal Bridges got paid!
There is big-man help with JaVale McGee’s arrival to the desert. And Jalen Smith should give the Suns something this time. Smith has looked better.
Landry Shamet is here. Don’t sleep on this being the perfect place for the Shamster. And there are worse third-string point guards than Elfrid Payton.

The Monty Williams—Chris Paul combo is perfect for maximizing everyone’s potential.

What’s the case for the Under?

CP3 is 36 years old with a lot of miles and an injury history that hasn’t shown up in a while.

The reliable bench unit guards of last season, Jevon Carter and E’Twaun Moore, are gone.
Dario Saric will be missed, just like he was in the Finals after tearing his ACL in Game 1.
How much is JaVale actually giving you in Year 14?

Beginning the season with front office turmoil regarding not paying your previous #1 overall draft pick big man of the future is not the start you want.

Final Prediction: This one won’t be popular. Sorry, Book. Under 51.5 wins.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

2021-22 Over/Under: 52.5 wins — 64% winning pct (last season winning pct: 58%)

What’s the case for the Over?

When LeBron and AD were healthy in 2019-20, the Lakers ran the Western Conference.

There is a lot more shooting and play-making here now.

The King is ready to reclaim The Throne. And AD on da way!
Westbrook raises the regular season floor. The Lakers in transition are going to be a problem.
Bron and Melo were always destined to meet up in LA. Does everyone realize Melo has turned into a legit 3-point shooter? Over 40% from 3 last season.
Kendrick Nunn is a high-quality backup. There is real depth this time that just fits better.
Malik Monk heat checks? Yes, please. Wayne Ellington from deep? Of course.
Rondo and Dwight know what to do.

Frank Vogel will have the defense prepared and ready.

Even though they should not have to, the Lakers are still out to prove the bubble Ship wasn’t a fluke.

What’s the case for the Under?

The fit with Westbrook has already looked shaky in the preseason.

How long will it take them to figure it out?

Can LeBron and AD stay healthy and on the court? They will probably tread carefully and watch their minutes.
Believe it or not: KCP will be missed, most notable his perimeter defense and corner 3s.
Trevor Ariza and Talen Horton-Tucker are already hurt.

The scrutiny of playing in LA.

The pressure of Championship or bust.

Final Prediction: There is no denying that it will be bumpy at times, but here’s to hoping they figure this out. Over 52.5 wins.

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Northwest season preview.

Southeast preview. | Southwest preview.

Central preview. | Atlantic division preview.

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Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks - 7:30pm

Warriors at Lakers - 10:00pm - (TNT)

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