TITLE: Readers’ Picks on 2025-26 NBA Win Totals Close but Fall Short of .500
SLUG: nba-over-under-2025-26-readers-results
CONTENT:
Hoops Rumors’ annual preseason poll gauging readers’ expectations for every NBA team’s 2025-26 win total ended with a 14-16 mark, narrowly missing the break-even point for the second straight year.
How the Poll Worked
Prior to opening night, participants chose “over” or “under” on the projected win totals posted by major sportsbooks for all 30 franchises, ranging from 62.5 victories for the Oklahoma City Thunder to 18.5 for the Utah Jazz. The exercise was conducted for the ninth consecutive season.
Eastern Conference Results (6-9)
Atlantic Division
New York Knicks: over 53.5 (finished 53-29)
Boston Celtics: over 42.5 (56-26)
Philadelphia 76ers: under 42.5 (45-37)
Toronto Raptors: over 37.5 (46-36)
Brooklyn Nets: over 20.5 (20-62)
Central Division
Cleveland Cavaliers: over 56.5 (52-30)
Detroit Pistons: over 46.5 (60-22)
Milwaukee Bucks: over 42.5 (32-50)
Indiana Pacers: over 37.5 (19-63)
Chicago Bulls: over 32.5 (31-51)
Southeast Division
Orlando Magic: over 51.5 (45-37)
Atlanta Hawks: over 47.5 (46-36)
Miami Heat: over 37.5 (43-39)
Charlotte Hornets: over 27.5 (44-38)
Washington Wizards: under 21.5 (17-65)
The group’s across-the-board optimism in the Central Division proved costly, producing a 1-4 record there. Narrow misses by the Knicks and Nets in the Atlantic cemented the sub-.500 finish in the East.
Western Conference Results (8-7)
Northwest Division
Oklahoma City Thunder: over 62.5 (64-18)
Denver Nuggets: over 53.5 (54-28)
Minnesota Timberwolves: over 49.5 (49-33)
Portland Trail Blazers: over 34.5 (42-40)
Utah Jazz: over 18.5 (22-60)
Pacific Division
Los Angeles Clippers: under 48.5 (42-40)
Los Angeles Lakers: under 48.5 (53-29)
Golden State Warriors: over 46.5 (37-45)
Sacramento Kings: over 34.5 (22-60)
Phoenix Suns: under 31.5 (45-37)
Southwest Division
Houston Rockets: over 52.5 (52-30)
San Antonio Spurs: over 44.5 (62-20)
Dallas Mavericks: over 41.5 (26-56)
Memphis Grizzlies: under 39.5 (25-57)
New Orleans Pelicans: under 30.5 (26-56)
Voters went 4-1 in the Northwest, missing a perfect sweep by one Timberwolves win, and that success offset a 1-4 showing in the Pacific to keep the Western tally in positive territory.
Overall Performance
The 14-16 outcome marked a modest improvement on last season’s 13-17 result but still fell shy of the .500 mark. Strong calls on the Pistons, Celtics, Hornets and Spurs highlighted the ballot, while misfires on the Central Division and unexpected surges by the Lakers and Suns weighed down the final record.
Source: Hoops Rumors
