Trying to figure out NBA Team Win Totals for the 2020-21 season was not a straight-forward exercise. I had to force my brain to remember that the season will be 72 rather than 82 games. Plus the number of teams whose projected wins is identical (or nearly so) to their 2019-20 season record. It took some serious thought, discussion with a fellow basketball fan, and circling back to teams that I couldn’t decide on right away.

Come along with me as I explain some of my over/under team win totals for the upcoming NBA season.

2020-21 NBA Team Win Totals: Atlanta Through Denver

Since the NBA Pick ‘Em presented my choices in alphabetical order, that’s how we’ll break it down here. Although, now that I’m thinking about it, I would have preferred the teams broken down by division. Now my already taxed brain had to do extra work. You can thank me later for already doing that extra work for you.

Atlanta Hawks (Over 35.5)

The Atlanta Hawks are one of my teams to watch this season. The organization finally made some moves to build around their superstar in the making, Trae Young. The additions of Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic certainly give Young some support when it comes to sinking baskets. Gallinari averaged 18.7 points on 44/48/89 shooting last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Offseason Milwaukee Bucks target, Bogdan Bogdanovic brings 15 PPG on 37/53/74 shooting last season for the Sacramento Kings. These additions mean that defenses will have to put more focus on shooters whose nicknames are not Ice Trea.

The pick up of 16-year veteran Rajon Rondo brings balance to the scoring power that the Hawks added. Rondo was impressive with his ability to bring energy off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers on his way to picking up a Championship ring in the 2019-20 NBA season. In an Eastern Conference that didn’t get drastically better, the Hawks should easily clear the 36 win mark during the upcoming season.

Brooklyn Nets (Under 45.5)

Yeah, I know taking the under here might put me at odds with a lot of NBA fans but hear me out. Once again, the season hasn’t even started and Kyrie Irving is already making a circus of it. First, he’s not talking to “pawns”. Then he’s trying to explain (badly) what he meant. Then, he’s talking to the media again. Oh, and let’s not forget all the sage burning he plans to do. One thing I’ve noticed about Kyrie over the years? If he’s not on a team with a guy named LeBron James, he’s a problem on one level or another, usually several.

KD is back and looked good in his first regular-season outing but I’m not convinced it holds. Historically, players coming back from a season off don’t put up numbers reminiscent of their previous efforts during their first season back.

I’m also not automatically sold on the idea that NBA players teaming up with someone they want to play with is always going to work. Sure, James made it happen in Miami and again in Los Angeles last season. Here’s the question though. Has anyone not names James made it work? Just recency bias should be enough to make you think twice on how sure you are that the Nets will dominate. The combos of Leonard/George and Harden/Westbrook come to mind. I’m okay being wrong here if it means I didn’t risk money on the Nets’ season. You’re not going to get great odds on the over here anyway.