The Las Vegas Hilton just came out with their over/under totals for wins for the NBA season. The Hilton usually starts these things and the other Casinos just kinda follow them. After the lines come out, betters, (known as wise guys), jump on the lines that they think might be wrong and then the casino adjusts the lines according to the early bets placed. A lot of the lines moved the next day. (I live in Vegas, I don't have the whole list in front of me, I'm at work). The Rockets are at 35 1/2 wins for the year. The line didn't move either, which means the wise guys think that's pretty accurate. Ouch! there's a few threads about the win total this season, but the guys who make a living off predicting such things say it's going to be a long season for us Rockets fans.
i think they're assuming tracy mcgrady is done, which he very well could be. then yea, it could be accurate (I personally believe we'll be around 39-41 wins even if tracy fails to make a comeback).
These Vegas guys dont "assume" anything. I promise you, they spoke with doctors and who knows who about McGrady's injury status and everyone else in league who's injured too. These dudes don't leave much to chance...they're job depends on it!
I remember reading about these guys. They have a very advanced knowledge of basketball, and apparently the NBA is actually incredibly predictable. It is unfortunate to hear our projected win total at 35. But that's why they play the games...
I bet last year they didn't project the Rockets to get past the first round and take the champs to a game seven did they? I would like to see how accurate they were last season and if it's close maybe I'll throw in the towel and call it a rebuilding season.
Call me odd if you will, but 35.5 isn't exactly a LONG season. 20 wins is a LONG season. 35.5 is getting close to the playoff picture. If we fall out of the playoffs, then who takes our place? The logical answer would be Phoenix - but they've not improved from last season, just got older and worse - so something like "break even" (41 wins) could see us snare a playoff spot. 35.5 certainly puts us in the general vicinity? If TMac comes back nice and healthy at the end of November, I think 45 wins is well on the cards. Scola and Brooks are going to surprise a lot of people I think.
even if they do, you can't predict how well tracy will play when he returns. it can easily go both ways. he's our x-factor (or whatever player we can get for him in a possible trade).
Phoenix has Amare Stoudemire back. Plus they have their coach for a full off season and to begin the season. They were much better when they got back into the running game last season. The Suns will be in the playoffs - and much better than the Rockets 35 wins is not in the playoff vicinity. We aren't in the East here. Didn't Phoenix/Golden State miss out last year with 40+ winning seasons? I don't see how all of a sudden those teams lose 10 more games a year to bring the bar down to a mid 30 win total. It is going to be a long year as a Rockets fan. An enjoyable one because the expectation of success isn't being shoved down our throats like in previous seasons. We'll be pleasantly surprised with a few big game scalps - but overall not as upset with some losses as we may have been the last few years.
Not even close Phoenix just barely missed it last time and they were only a few games under us, being the last 5 teams were like 1 game behind each other. And while they may have not improved, we worsened. Simple as that.
The Suns won 46 games and finished 9th The Warriors won 29 games and finished 10th 2 years ago the Warriors won 48 games and the Blazers won 41 and both missed out, but 3 years ago 2 42 win teams made the playoffs. 35 wins won't get us in the playoffs, but we could easily be in contention for the 8th spot for much of the season. That said, I think we beat expectations.
I would jump on that if I had the chance. 36 wins could be really easy. Mavs and Spurs are up but they will not go hard for reg season wins with everyone fighting injuries. The west is also down in general this year, and with our style of play we could easily string some serious wins together.
Thanks for the clarification juicy. Has it really been 3 seasons already since the Warriors knocked off the Mavs. (the 48 win non playoff appearance followed that season didn't it?)
You're right - they want make sure the money is balanced, when they are taking bets, say on games...they want equal money on both sides, (more or less). But in the case of "futures" - there is no "other" side, so they need to be as accurate as possible, or they get burned bottom line.
I didn't start this thread because I think the Rox are going to suck. Hey I'm a fan and I think and hope they'll do great. I'm just saying what Vegas thinks and I'll bet they are right more than they are wrong. So realisticly our expectations should be modest. It'll be wonderful to expect 35 wins and then get 45!
i think if the rockets have t-mac back by the beginning of november, we will most likely win about 45-48games....thats only if he is back to the old days t-mac. without him the rockets cant win more than 35games
