Vegas Over/Under: 35.5
The Record Projection: 36-46 of fromal The Bet: Avoid lean over
To be quite frank, I would recommend leaning over no matter in which the line is put for the Dallas Mavericks. And that is for one simple reason: Rick Carlisle.
The head coach is a genius at milking talent out of the players, routinely turning castoffs and undesirable pieces into quality rotation members. He’s done after year, and 2017-18 ought to be no different.
Except it is different. Because while this group may be rebuilding during the final couple of seasons of Dirk Nowitzki’s livelihood (assuming the mythical 4 ever chooses to retire), it eventually has distinct talent at quite a few different positions.
Dennis Smith Jr., Seth Curry, Wesley Matthews, Harrison Barnes and Nowitzki makes for a strong beginning lineup, along with the Mavs will mix and match for Yogi Ferrell and Nerlens Noel on the Ground. That’s much more talent and upside than the group owned during the 2016-17 campaign, and it moved 33-49.
Full seasons in the pieces that are frontcourt? Barnes with a year of experience in a role under his belt? Smith added for a Rookie of the Year threat into the rotation?
Vegas place the over/under aggressively with this roster, but motives to think they’re sold a bit short still exist.
Read more: nhl2019.com