Three NBA teams from the Eastern Conference were designated with win totals exceeding 50 games at BetMGM, including the Cleveland Cavaliers at 56.5 Over/Under, the New York Knicks at 52.5 O/U, and the Orlando Magic at 50.5 O/U.
During the 2024-25 season, four teams from the East won at least 50 games, with the Cavs and Boston Celtics passing the 60-win mark.
Here’s a quick look at projected win totals for all 15 teams in the Eastern Conference and which teams we like to back or fade this upcoming season:
Cleveland Cavs
Win Total: 56.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 64-18
Our Pick: OVER
The NBA’s most lethal offense averaged 121.9 ppg last season, and they’ll be a headache to defend every night once again. Darius Garland will miss the start of the season while recovering from surgery, but they’re so deep it won’t matter, especially after adding Lonzo Ball to their bench. Sam Merrill stepped up and averaged 19.3 ppg in his first three games, which is 12 more points higher than last season. Donovan ‘Spida’ Mitchell began the season on a high note, averaging 30.0 ppg.
New York Knicks
Win Total: 52.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 51-31
Our Pick: OVER
Head coach Mike Brown historically does very well in his first season with a new team before his intense schtick wears thin on the vets. Maybe that’s enough to keep the Knicks afloat? They have a strong bench and a coach who will use it. Ex-head coach Tom Thibodeau was notorious for overusing his starters and maintaining a short bench. In Brown’s first game of the season, 11 members of the Knicks saw playing time by the start of the second quarter! That means the Knicks won’t wear down their lethal dynamic duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The second unit is anchored by former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson, who quickly developed strong chemistry with Tyler Kolek.
Orlando Magic
Win Total: 50.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 41-41
Our Pick: OVER
If the Magic’s big three, consisting of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, can stay healthy, they should battle the Knicks for the #2 seed. Adding two-way vet Desmond Bane was clutch. His stellar perimeter shooting helped fill a void that the Magic desperately needed.
Atlanta Hawks
Win Total: 47.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 40-42
Our Pick: UNDER
Trae Young bought into Quin Snyder’s system last season, but will Young’s ego rear its ugly head? Young developed a reputation as a “coach killer.” Just ask Lloyd Pierce and Nate McMillan, who both lost their jobs after a stubborn Young butted heads with them. Is Snyder next on Young’s kill list? The Hawks added Kristaps Porzingis in an offseason trade, but the injury-prone Unicorn suited up only once in the first week of the season.
Detroit Pistons
Win Total: 46.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 44-38
Our Pick: OVER
Cade Cunningham leads a young team of up-and-comers, including Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Ronald Holland II. Ivey began the season sidelined with a knee injury, but the Pistons still looked good without their team’s second-best scorer.
Milwaukee Bucks
Win Total: 42.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 48-34
Our Pick: UNDER
There’s too much drama surrounding an impending Greek Freak trade and departure. If the Bucks don’t trade Giannis Antetokounmpo before the deadline in February, all signs suggest this could be his last season in Milwaukee, and they’ll trade him next summer. When the team signed Antetokounmpo’s siblings to curry favor with their superstar, you know the front office is desperate. Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner make a formidable front line with Antetokounmpo, but their bench is weak.
Philadelphia 76ers
Win Total: 42.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 24-56
Our Pick: OVER
The season began with former MVP Joel Embiid with a playing restriction due to his bum knee. Meanwhile, Paul George has yet to recover from offseason surgery, so his return date is unknown. How many games will the perpetually banged-up Embiid and George play together this season? The outlook was grim, which is why early bettors initially bet the Under. We like the Over because of Philly’s new batch of upcoming stars. Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe could also compete for best backcourt in the East. Edgecombe, the #3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, quickly emerged as a valid Rookie of the Year candidate by averaging 24.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the first week of the season.
Boston Celtics
Win Total: 41.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 61-21
Our Pick: UNDER
After Jayson Tatum blew out his Achilles in the playoffs, the Celtics cleaned house in the offseason and unloaded hefty contracts. Unfortunately, their current roster is stacked with guards, and they lack height on their front line, so they’ll get crushed in the rebounding department. Expect Jaylen Brown to score 30-plus every night, and Derrick White will once again play the role of the team’s unsung hero. Anfernee Simons is a great addition, while Payton Pritchard anchors a thin bench.
Toronto Raptors
Win Total: 38.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 30-52
Our Pick: OVER
The Raptors bubbled the Play-In Tournament last season, but could be a surprise team in the East by winning 45-plus games. Ex-Knicks castoffs RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley make up their backcourt. They added Brandom Ingram, who joins a stout frontline with Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl. Aside from Gradey Dick and Sandro Mamukelashvili, there’s not much of a second unit, but there’s a lot of room to grow.
Indiana Pacers
Win Total: 36.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 50-32
Our Pick: UNDER
Can the Pacers battle for a Play-In Tournament spot while Tyler Haliburton recovers from an Achilles injury? They still have a solid squad without him, including their true MVP, Pascal Siakam. Their trio of guards can shoot the rock, including Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith. Unfortunately, TJ McConnell is still nursing a sore hamstring, which puts the Pacers in a tough spot without two key playmakers.
Miami Heat
Win Total: 37.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 37-45
Our Pick: OVER
With Erik Spoelstra coaching on the sidelines, you can never count out the Heat. They seemed doomed in their post-Jimmy Butler era with Tyler Herro injured. Seven players averaged double digits in scoring at the start of the season, including third-year forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. Norman Powell was a huge offseason addition, and he led the Heat in scoring in their first three games. With Herro out, it’s up to Bam Adebayo to shine. They also have Andrew Wiggins for a full season after they acquired him from Golden State in the Butler trade. Keep an eye on Nikola Jovic, who is supposed to be Miami’s version of Nikola Jokic.
Chicago Bulls
Win Total: 32.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 39-43
Our Pick: OVER
The Bulls qualified for the Play-In Tournament the last three seasons, but never made it to the postseason. Could this be only the second time in six seasons under head coach Billy Donovan that the Bulls qualify for the postseason? Guards Josh Giddey and Ayo Dosunmu are an exciting duo who push the pace, but the Bulls’ tepid defense was their demise last season. Big man Nikola Vucevic, the primary subject of trade rumors the last few seasons, is the team’s leading scorer. The Bulls look sharp so far, even without injured veterans Coby White and Zach Collins.
Charlotte Hornets
Win Total: 26.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 19-63
Our Pick: OVER
With a healthy LaMelo Ball, the Hornets led the league with an eye-popping 132 ppg. These high-octane Hornets are currently must-see TV, especially if you subscribe to the NBA League Pass. Ball and veteran Collin Sexton are a fun backcourt to watch, along with rookie first-round pick Kon Knueppel from Duke. Ryan Kalkbrenner, a rookie big man from Creighton, also made an auspicious debut. Brandon Miller is off to a slow start due to a shoulder injury, but he was the Hornets’ best player last season when Ball went down.
Washington Wizards
Win Total: 20.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 18-64
Our Pick: OVER
After a depressing stint in New Orleans, CJ McCollum has a chance to revitalize his career when the Wizards swapped him for Jordan Poole. McCollum and veteran Khris Middleton lead a very young squad, but the Wizards have two rookies with tremendous upside in Tre Johnson and Will Riley. Kyshawn George made a huge leap in his second season and leads the Wiz in scoring. They also have the French duo of Bilal Couilbaly and Alex Sarr. The Wizards aren’t making the playoffs any time soon, but they only have to win 21 games to hit their Over.
Brooklyn Nets
Win Total: 20.5 O/U
Last Season Record: 26-56
Our Pick: UNDER
Brooklyn is the hipster capital of the world, but it’s become an exile for NBA players that no one else wants. I had to look up their depth chart because I couldn’t name anyone on their squad aside from Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas, and Michael Porter, Jr. Thomas is a high-volume scorer who can’t play a lick of defense. The Nuggets were thrilled to trade Porter to the Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. The Nets hope that rookie Egor Demin can become the Russian version of Luka Doncic. If you mention the names Day’Ron Sharpe, Jalen Wilson, or Zaire Wilson, locals might think they were indie rockers or hip-hop artists. Alas, they’re rostered on the Nets, which is why they’re destined to go 17-65.
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