ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton projects the Orlando Magic to win 49.9 games this season, a total he says falls just a sliver short of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The figure trails the team’s sportsbook over/under, which Pelton attributes largely to schedule adjustments his model does not emphasize.
Orlando’s summer trade for Desmond Bane gives Paolo Banchero a proven perimeter scorer to work alongside. Speaking to Marc Spears of Andscape, Banchero called Bane “a Swiss Army knife” who can make shots, create for teammates and fill several offensive gaps.
Pelton’s model anticipates a moderate step back for the New York Knicks after the club dramatically topped projections last year. New York’s starters missed very little time—only Jalen Brunson sat out more than nine games—and Pelton cautions that similar health is hard to repeat. He also expects new head coach Mike Brown to trim star minutes compared with Tom Thibodeau’s rotations, but still forecasts the Knicks to finish “around 50 wins.”
The biggest divergence from betting lines comes with the Indiana Pacers. Pelton slots Indiana at 45.9 victories, comfortably above .500 despite losing Tyrese Haliburton for the season to a torn Achilles. He points to the club’s depth, shooting and the potential impact of stretch big Jay Huff in a revamped front-court that no longer includes Myles Turner, now in Milwaukee. While Pelton doubts Indiana can match last year’s place in the standings, he believes the Pacers have enough to stay competitive throughout the schedule.
Source: Hoops Wire
