Vegas Over/Under: 35.5
The Record Projection: 36-46 of fromal The Bet: Avoid but lean over
To be quite frank, I would recommend leaning over no matter where the line is put for the Dallas Mavericks. And that is for one purpose: Rick Carlisle.
The head coach is a genius at milking talent out of his players, routinely turning castoffs and unwanted pieces into quality rotation members. He has done after year, and 2017-18 should be no different.
Except it is slightly different. Because while this group might be rebuilding during the final couple of seasons of Dirk Nowitzki’s career (assuming the legendary 4 chooses to retire), it finally has distinct talent at quite a few different positions.
Dennis Smith Jr., Seth Curry, Wesley Matthews, Harrison Barnes and Nowitzki makes for a strong beginning lineup, and the Mavs will mix and match for Yogi Ferrell and Nerlens Noel around the floor. That’s much more talent and upside than the team owned during the 2016-17 campaign, and it went 33-49.
Full seasons from the bits that are frontcourt? Barnes using a year of experience in a leading role under his belt? Smith added to the rotation for a Rookie of the Year danger?
Vegas place the over/under aggressively with this roster, but motives to think they’re sold a bit short still exist.
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