1. Portland Trail Blazers

Vegas Win Projection: 41.5

My Win Projection: 45

I really think people are making too much of the first round sweep the Trail Blazers endured last season at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans. It came as a surprise, and an embarrassment, but after a season in which they won nearly 50 games, having them at 41.5 wins I thought was pretty low.

Let’s not forget they still have First-Team All-NBA guard Damian Lillard and professional bucket getter CJ McCollum.

The Blazers also made some subtle moves this offseason. While letting Ed Davis leave was not the smartest play, they added a ton of shooting in Seth Curry, Gary Trent Jr. and Nik Stauskas and re-signed Jusuf Nurkic.

Keeping this team intact for this upcoming season was the best move for them in my opinion. Yes, not adding a big name free-agent was a little surprising, and if they struggle mid-season, they might blow it up by the trade deadline. However, I look for the Blazers to stay consistent and also improve upon their projected 41.5 wins.