Raptors Expected Wins Total set at 41.5
This should come as sobering news to Raptors fans who expect the team to challenge for the 4th Seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs this season:
1 Cleveland Cavaliers OVER 61.5, -108
2 Orlando Magic OVER 57.5, -108
3 Boston Celtics OVER 56.5, -126
4 Atlanta Hawks OVER 44.5, -108
5 Washington Wizards OVER 41.5, -104
6 Detroit Pistons OVER 41.5, +111
7 Toronto Raptors OVER 41.5, +119
8 Chicago Bulls OVER 40.5, -123
9 Philadelphia 76ers OVER 40.5, -114
10 Miami Heat OVER 40.0, -108
11 Charlotte Bobcats OVER 37.5, -108
12 Indiana Pacers OVER 34.5, -108
13 New York Knicks OVER 31.4, -108
14 New Jersey Nets OVER 28.5, -123
15 Milwaukee Bucks OVER 25.5, -134
In the judgment of those who set the wagering odds for these types of things, as of today, the Toronto sits squarely in the Middle-of-the-Pack in the EC, along with Atlanta, Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami and Charlotte.
The problem is … only 5 of those 8 teams will be able to make the playoffs.
Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Pinnacle Sports, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
October 14th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Nice to see the bookies believe Toronto should be thought of as in line with the 07-08 playoff team. That is the safe line of thinking! But fans don’t have to play it safe - I believe that’s how bookies make money! lol
It’s as it should be - 6 teams fighting for 4 playoff spots and no one should be supremely confident as they are all coming into the season with some big question marks.
I like Toronto’s chances to head up that group of teams with a chance of beating out Atlanta for 4th - edge going to Atlanta.
(I wouldn’t put Charlotte in the mix - just have no faith in management or ownership)
Of course it’s possible this year to win 41 and end up in 9th - ouch!
October 15th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I like your poll question.
It’s an interesting analogy.
But I don’t believe setting a betting line has much to do with predicting the future - it does have everything to do with setting a line that will attract bettors and enable the people organizing the betting to make money.
The people who set a sports betting line should have a better understanding of how all the teams in a league actually stack up against each other, it’ just that this only only one to the things they consider when setting the line.
And most predictions about the not near future by anyone are wrong. Except that guy who was on the Daily Show who “polls” the experts on world issues - he reportedly has a 90% success rate.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Khandor, based on the bookies (who are probably bang on), the Raptors are only 3 games out of 4th in this scenario. That would indicate to me that the battle for 4th and 5th will be fierce this year.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Brothersteve and Raps Fan,
Yes, with their Expected Wins number now set at OVER 41.5, +119, the Raptors are just 3 wins below the Atlanta Hawks [#4 rated in the EC] AND just 4 wins above the Charlotte Bobcats [#11 rated in the EC].
The battles for the #4-5 and the #6-8 spots in the EC playoffs are going to be very interesting.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
[...] The betting line for the Raptors is 41.5 wins, good for fifth in the East, but tied with Washington and Detroit. The Raptors are expected to win more games than Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, and Charlotte. Reference: khandor’s sports blog [...]
October 27th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
[...] The betting line for the Raptors is 41.5 wins, good for fifth in the East, but tied with Washington and Detroit. The Raptors are expected to win more games than Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, and Charlotte. Reference: khandor’s sports blog [...]
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
[...] open the season, sporting betting blogs were projecting the Bobcats and the Pacers to finish eleventh and twelfth respectively. Toronto [...]