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Into the Bears’ Den: picking NBA teams’ over/under from Vegas projections

By Ian Pierno

Mar 19, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; The American flag is stretched out by the Spurs Silver Dancers during the National Anthem before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; The American flag is stretched out by the Spurs Silver Dancers during the National Anthem before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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UTAH JAZZ: 47.5

Mar 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers (6) is fouled by Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Utah 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers (6) is fouled by Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Utah 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Snellings: UNDER. I only give them about 45 wins, which isn’t far under the prediction, but expect the Jazz to be a very strong team this year and possibly surprise someone in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. 

Ian Pierno: OVER. J.R. Smith once said that there are two teams in the NBA that no player wants to be traded to: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Utah Jazz. In Utah, the glory days of John Stockton and Karl Malone are over. The Jazz have only made the NBA Playoffs once in the past six years, a series it lost. The dog days have come to a close, though. Gordon Hayward, maybe the most underrated player in the league, will be going full force in a contract year. Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors make up one of the most formidable frontcourts in the league. George Hill was brought in to mentor a now healthy Dante Exum and Joe Johnson can work on efficiency now that he’s not a go-to scorer. Sure, Exum or Alec Burks could get hurt again, but I’m not a doctor, so I’m not going to predict that. I know this is an unpopular pick, but watch out for the Jazz.

Parker Fleming: UNDER. A starting five of George Hill, Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert is nasty. Adding Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, Dante Exum and Alec Burks off the bench is downright frightening. This team has the makings of a 52-win team, but can Gordon Hayward take on a role where he is the go-to scorer? If he could average 20+ points a game, I’ll take the over. Also, George Hill has never been an assist guy (4.1 assists per 36 minutes for his career). Who will muster the playmaking responsibilities? As of right now, I’ll go under.

Taylor Buckley: UNDER.

Ryan Schmitz: UNDER. Although I’m buying the hype this year that the Jazz will make some noise in the west, they will not get 48 wins. This team is going to take some time since they are still too young to reach their full potential.

Jacob Collins: UNDER. This is a tick high for me. I think they Jazz will be very solid, but 48 wins is a tall task for this team.

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