Tamberlyn Richardson – Last Updated on December 1, 2022 12:15 pm
2022-23 NBA Previews – Northwest Division Odds
Looking for 2023 NBA Northwest Division Predictions? We’ve got your back. Like most divisions the Northwest is comprised of teams with differing objects. Two clubs are legitimate playoff contenders, one is an unknown entity and two clubs are obvious tankers.
2023 NBA Handicapping
Northwest Division Season Preview
Division Favorite: Denver Nuggets -140
Denver Nuggets
Head Coach: Michael Malone
2021-22 Record: 48-34
Odds To Win Division: -140
Odds To Win Conference: +810
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +1750
The Nuggets won 48 games last season and despite missing two core talents who provided the second (Jamal Murray) and third most (Michael Porter Jr.) points per game still managed to post the sixth-best offense.
Both make their return this season plus the Nuggets bolstered their depth by adding Bruce Brown in free agency and trading for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Although the Wolves (Rudy Gobert), Knicks (Jalen Brunson), and Cavaliers (Donovan Mitchell) made the big splashy offseason moves they came at a huge price whereas KCP and Brown were economical moves that will address specific needs.
Both are above-average defenders with KCP adding floor spacing (39% perimeter shooter) while it’s easy to envision Brown becoming a favorite target for Jokic given his prowess at moving and cutting to the basket.
Aaron Gordon played only four games (3-1) with Murray prior to his injury but there were hints of how lethal that starting core could be.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Head Coach: Chris Finch
2021-22 Record: 46-36
Odds To Win Division: +141
Odds To Win Conference: +1600
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +3200
New Director of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly spent no time putting his imprint on the Wolves with the trade for Rudy Gobert. No doubt, his addition will upgrade the Wolves’ defense and allow Karl-Anthony Towns to play at his preferred position (power forward).
Connelly gave up a TON to land Gobert which should pay immediate dividends. The question is whether the timing of this move was premature because it forces the team to be in ‘win now’ mode.
Anthony Edwards is destined for superstardom but is only 21 so still a few years from his prime.
Minny should be a lock for a cemented playoff berth but the big questions won’t be answered until the postseason as teams game plan to force KAT to defend and utilize small ball lineups against Gobert.
That’s why I still feel like this squad is a few years and/or one more player away from being contenders. In fact, as much as Gobert will improve prior weaknesses the Clippers and Warriors specifically will be terrible matchups for the Wolves.
Portland Trail Blazers
Head Coach: Chauncey Billups
2021-22 Record: 27-55
Odds To Win Division: +810
Odds To Win Conference: +5600
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +10000
The revamped Blazers are one of the more confounding clubs. Damian Lillard is back but hasn’t looked sharp in preseason although he’s still finding his rhythm having been sidelined since December 31st of 2021.
The dilemma for the Blazers is whether they have enough depth and how well they’lll perform defensively. Making matters more stressful is the Bulls own Portland’s first-round pick although it’s lottery protected.
That means if Portland struggles prior to the trade deadline their best bet would be replicating their tanking effort of 2022 in order to retain their draft pick and enter the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
Utah Jazz
Head Coach: Will Hardy
2021-22 Record: 49-33
Odds To Win Division: +4000
Odds To Win Conference: +18000
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +44000
Danny Ainge made his intentions clear that the Jazz are in full-on rebuild mode. Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic were traded in exchange for a bevy of draft picks.
Utah might still have too much talent to land one of the bottom three prime positions. It’s likely Ainge moves Mike Conley before the trade deadline and assesses whether the team wants to keep Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson or also trade them at the deadline to bolster his draft stock.
OKC Thunder
Head Coach: Mark Daigneault
2021-22 Record: 24-58
Odds To Win Division: +13000
Odds To Win Conference: +24000
Odds To Win NBA Championship: +55000
Although the Thunder won 22 and 24 games the past two seasons it took shutting down core players in order to lose that many games because regardless of who dresses head coach Mark Daigneault gets his charges to compete nightly.
Chet Holmgren’s injury will force him to miss the season but it’s likely Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Lou Dort will also end up shut down at some point as the Thunder actively tank.
The prospect of landing Wembanyama and adding him alongside Holmgren, Giddy, and SGA is a heady thought that opposing teams would shudder thinking about given all that length and talent.
NBA Northwest Division Prediction
Although the Wolves will be in the mix, it’s the Nuggets who are best positioned to win the Northwest and are also a threat to land atop the Western Conference.
Both clubs have an opportunity to gain 12 easy victories with four games each versus the Blazers, Thunder, and Jazz. Although the majority of those meetings occur prior to the deadline before those clubs fully ramp up their tanking efforts they should still capitalize given their overall depth of talent.
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