Here are the Write-Ups:
5-Star LA Clippers over 55.5 wins – Doc Rivers is a no-nonsense coach that should command respect from this group. There is no lack of talent among the players on this team, they just lacked the focus and drive to get the job done. In the past they were just having fun playing basketball. With Rivers at the helm, they will be on a mission. He has been to the promised land and the Clippers’ players will respect that. This team won 56 games in the regular season last year and there is every reason that they will be better this season. The coaching change from Del Negro to Rivers is a HUGE leap.
They have a tremendously favorable schedule in 2013-14. Last season, when they won 56 regular season games, they had eleven games in which they were rested and their opponent was not. This season they get a staggering 25 games in which they are rested vs an unrested opponent. This is not only the most in the entire league this season, this is the most any team has ever had in the history of the database. The previous high of rest vs no-rest games was when the Magic has 21 such games in 2004.
In addition, the Clippers get 13 opponents playing the second of back-to-back road games this season. In each of the past two seasons, they had only seven.
Also, the Clippers get NINETEEN opponents this season that are playing in at least their third straight road game – this is tops in the league.
Rivers has an excellent shot at Coach of the Year.
MTi’s FORECAST: LA CLIPPERS 61-21 in 2013-14
4-Star Portland OVER 38.5 Wins – Last season, the Blazers were 33-49, but they started the season a surprising 20-15. The reason for the fade is that they ran out of gas due to lack of a quality bench and the brass noticed this late in the season and drastically reduced their starter’s minutes once they realized they were out of the playoff chase. They were 33-36 on March 24th last season before losing their last thirteen. At home, they were 22-19 last season, but this season they should improve this significantly. They get a league-high 14 opponents playing the second of back-to-back road games. That’s more than one-third of their home games this season. In each of the last four seasons, Portland had fewer than ten opponents playing their second road game in as many nights, so this season is a significant upgrade.
Also helping their cause is that many of the teams playing the second of back-to-back road games in Portland are good teams. The fact that their opponent is playing the second of back-to-back road games may be the edge that the Blazers need to get the Straight up win. Their first seven B2B opponents are: San Antonio, Houston, Chicago, Indiana, Oklahoma City, LA Clippers and Miami. When these teams come to town, it’s nice that they were ‘softened up” the previous night.
The Blazers also have a favorable schedule involving their missing Western Conference opponents. While every team in the league plays a home and home season series with every non-conference team, every team in league has four games vs every conference opponent except four. These four teams are only faced three times. This season, Portland avoids: hosting the Lakers, hosting the Mavs, visiting the Clippers and visting the Grizzlies. So, The Blazers only have to visit the Grizzlies once and visit the Clippers once in the upcoming season.
Damien Lillard and Lamarcus Aldridge are a great tandem. Batum had a breakout year. The Blazers improved their bench considerably. With a cakewalk schedule, the playoffs are a distinct possibility.
.MTi’s FORECAST: Portland 43-39 in 2013-14
3.5-Star Chicago OVER 56 wins – This really seems like a “Square” play. Everyone knows that Derrick Rose was out all season, but the Bulls played gamely throughout. The Bulls team developed a lot of character and learned how to deal with adversity last season. They were also able to give quality time to players like Jimmy Butler and that should pay handsome dividends this season.
Last season, it wasn’t just that Derrick Rose did not play, it was that his return date was up in the air all season, giving the Bulls a big distraction. Also, the Bulls lost Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich for extended time.
As long as the Bulls don’t rely on Derrick Rose to immediately be their savior We see this team as the team to beat in the East. They play great defense and they have a great coach. They also have a very favorable schedule. In 2013-14, the Bulls are scheduled to play only SIX games all season in which they have no rest and their opponent is rested. On the other hand, Chicago gets SEVENTEEN games in which they are rested and their opponent played the day before. This differential is the most favorable in the entire league.
So much went wrong for the Bulls last season and they did not make any excuses. The team did not show frustration or point the finger. They just put on their hard hats and went to work. I like that mentality and feel that this is their season.
MTi’s FORECAST: CHICAGO 61-21 in 2013-14
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The top two won and the last one lost.
Watch for Next Season's NBA Futures.
Dr M.