Nets open with NBA’s highest season win total

The Brooklyn Nets, the consensus favorites to win the title, opened at a league-best 54.5 wins at Caesars Sportsbook after the NBA released its full 2021-22 schedule on Friday.

The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks are next at 53.5. The Bucks host the Nets on opening night, Oct. 19. Milwaukee is an early 1-point favorite over Brooklyn in the season opener.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz each opened at 51.5, and the Phoenix Suns were set at 50.5, rounding out the teams with opening win totals in the 50s.

After last season’s abbreviated 72-game regular season, the NBA returns to its traditional 82-game slate. Caesars posted win totals on each team and allows bettors to wager on over or under.

The Nets won 48 games last season, a winning percentage of .667. Their opening win total of 54.5 reflects a nearly identical win percentage this regular season.

The Lakers won 42 games last regular season, a .583 winning percentage, which was just enough to sneak into the play-in tournament for the playoffs. The Lakers advanced out of the play-in tournament but promptly lost to the Suns in the first round of the playoffs. They went to work in the offseason to rebuild their roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, adding veterans Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, among others.

The Lakers have been installed as 4.5-point favorites over the Golden State Warriors in their season opener.

The Warriors, who are hoping to have sharpshooter Klay Thompson back in the mix this season, lead the next tier of teams at Caesars Sportsbook with a win total of 48.5. The Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat are next, each opening at 47.5.

The Oklahoma City Thunder opened with the lowest season win total at 22.5, with the Orlando Magic next up at 23.5.

Caesars Sportsbook Season Win Totals
Nets 54.5
Bucks 53.5
Lakers 51.5
Jazz 51.5
Sixers 51.5
Suns 50.5
Warriors 48.5
Nuggets 47.5
Mavericks 47.5
Heat 47.5
Celtics 46.5
Hawks 46.5
Clippers 44.5
Trail Blazers 43.5
Pacers 42.5
Knicks 41.5
Bulls 41.5
Grizzlies 41.5
Pelicans 40.5
Hornets 37.5
Raptors 36.5
Kings 35.5
Timberwolves 33.5
Wizards 33.5
Spurs 29.5
Kings 29.5
Cavaliers 26.5
Pistons 25.5
Magic 23.5
Thunder 22.5