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Evaluating the Vegas odds for the Dallas Mavericks

By Arsal Hussain

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Dirk Nowitzki #41 is helped up by teammates J.J. Barea ;#5 and Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 24, 2015 at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Dirk Nowitzki #41 is helped up by teammates J.J. Barea ;#5 and Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 24, 2015 at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Recently, NBA Vegas over/under win predictions were released. Let’s have a look to see how they ranked the Dallas Mavericks.

With new popular acquisitions in DeAndre Jordan and Luka Doncic, many Maverick fans expect the team to have a successful season. I myself expect to see Dallas perform very well, with about 40 wins this season and around the .500 percentage.

Vegas, however, has a different idea of how the Mavs will do:

The Mavericks are predicted to have only 35 wins at most which, at first when considering they under performed last year, makes total sense. Then you have to take into consideration that they are not the same team who would still struggle at the boards. They improved defensively and offensively.

Let’s just assume that this is accurate, though I really don’t believe we would do the same as an injury riddled Memphis Grizzlies team or worse than a Los Angeles Clippers team that is questionable at best. In the Eastern Conference, the obvious super team Boston Celtics are first, followed by a tie between the Kawhi-led Raptors and Embiid-led Sixers.

The Pacers are fourth, then Milwaukee, Washington, Miami, and Detroit. The rest don’t make the playoffs, most notably the now LeBron-less Cavaliers. Charlotte was ranked as the ninth seed and Atlanta was the worst seed.

In the Western Conference, it’s obvious that a team with five All-Stars would claim the first seed without a doubt. The Beard with his MVP and CP3 get ranked as a second seed. With Melo gone, the OKC Thunder actually get better and are placed as a third seed.

The Lakers and Jazz are tied for the fourth best seed, but I think we all know The King has more help this time around to be higher. Denver finally rejoins the playoffs after years and New Orleans and Minnesota rejoin for another season.

That leaves the Spurs as a ninth seed, then Portland, the Clippers, MAVERICKS, Grizzlies, Suns, and Kings out of playoff contention. What confuses me is that somehow we are placed under the Clippers who now have a sixth man of the year, injury riddled players, and no trace of Lob City.

I would get that the Mavericks are not favorites to contend for the playoffs, but they should at least be placed as a top 10 team of the West. Having them that low just seems like we were robbed. These NBA win predictions are just straight foolish.

In reality, the Dallas Mavericks should be placed with an under/over win total of 39.5 and placed at the 10th seed. Above them would be, from worst to first, the Spurs, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Pelicans, Jazz, Rockets, Lakers, Thunder, and Warriors. That seems more than fair.

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