Southwest Division NBA Picks
The 2014-15 NBA betting season is approaching with as much hype as any campaign in recent history. Why the hype? Not only are people beyond curious to see how the Cleveland Cavaliers play upon LeBron James’ arrival, but fans and analysts alike are equally as intrigued by how the Miami Heat will survive in a post-LeBron world.
Cappers Picks provides free NBA HOOPS handicapping tips all season long.
Miami Heat
2013-14 Record: 54-28
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The Miami Heat are one of the only teams in the league where this year’s projections really have nothing to do with last season. LeBron James is gone, and for that reason, we have to take a whole new approach to analyzing this franchise. Luckily for fans in South Beach, this is still going to be a good basketball team.
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Will it be great? Not likely. That’s the impact James’ departure will have. But unlike when The King left Cleveland, this group still has star players on board to soften the blow. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will lead the way with Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts following, and while this group is no longer a favorite to win a title, it’s certainly one of a handful of groups that will be vying for home-court advantage in the 2015 postseason.
Washington Wizards
2013-14 Record: 44-38
With the 2014-15 season nearing, the Wizards are projected to finish fourth out East and first in the Southeast Division, courtesy of ESPN.com. That’s a huge turnaround from where this team was just two seasons ago, proving that quick turnarounds can happen when done the right way. Not only did the Wizards improve drastically last season, but they did it again during the 2014 offseason. They’ve brought on Paul Pierce to be a veteran leader with championship experience, and that’s exactly what this group needs with players such as John Wall, Bradley Beal and Marcin Gortat lacking that kind of resume.
Charlotte Hornets
2013-14 Record: 43-39
Like the Wizards, the Charlotte Hornets have turned things around very quickly. They’re no longer stuck in the basement of the league, and they’re no longer the punchline in jokes about dreadful NBA organizations.
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This summer, the team improved its already elite defense by picking up Lance Stephenson. The hope is that he brings with him the talent that got him a contract and leaves behind the antics that forced him to take less money than he wanted. This group could fight for home-court advantage, but an improvement in three-point shooting (and jump shooting as a whole) will need to take place if it hopes to make the second round.
Atlanta Hawks
2013-14 Record: 38-44
When the Atlanta Hawks were healthy, they were the third-best team in a top-heavy Eastern Conference last season. Then Al Horford went down and everything changed. With Horford back in the lineup, look for this group to re-establish itself as a hopeful for home-court advantage. A full season of Horford playing alongside Paul Millsap will force opponents’ frontcourts into uncomfortable situations, and if Jeff Teague can build upon his career season, the Hawks will be a team to watch out for as a true dark horse.
Orlando Magic
2013-14 Record 23-59
Although the Orlando Magic will be fun to watch, there’s no real use in holding your breath for a playoff spot.
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This is a young group with a lot of potential. That potential will show at spurts throughout the year, but so will growing pains. Look for someone like Victor Oladipo to officially become the franchise player, but don’t expect him to be the piece that officially turns things around. There’s plenty of prospects on this team, but without one of them stepping up as a superstar, there might be another move necessary in the future to secure a spot in the postseason.
Prediction
This season should come down to two teams for the Southeast Division: Miami and Washington. The Hornets and Hawks will be in the mix throughout different times of the year, and Orlando will be entertaining, but the Heat and Wizards are the ones who have the winning experience.
At this point, look for Washington to win the division, securing home-court advantage in the first round. The team is still a step behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls, so don’t expect a first-place finish out East. But once they get to the playoffs, anything can happen once a Round 1 victory becomes official.
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