Vegas Over/Under: 56.5

Fromal’s Record Projection: 52-30 The Bet: Under with confidence
We are operating under the same assumption that led Vegas to place the over/under in 56.5 wins: Kyrie Irving is now a member of the Boston Celtics, since the onus is on the Cleveland Cavaliers to veto a trade that is near processing.
Until this situation is solved, we are going to be factoring in a changing of the guard from Isaiah Thomas into Irving, as well as the departures of both Jae Crowder and Ante Zizic.
Boston went through tumult that this offseason to relish roster continuity. Few members of last year’s team remain, which is always problematic in a league which has so many advantages gleaned from preexisting chemistry.
Talented as Gordon Hayward, Irving, Jayson Tatum along with the other novices might be, they’ll go through an inevitable adjustment period that prevents them from running away with the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.
Plus, we can’t forget what they lost.
Avery Bradley was a piece on the two ends of the ground. The scenario for Boston is that replacing him Marcus Morris is a wash. But there is no way to replicate what Crowder attracted to the proverbial table; the C’s were 11.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the ground.
This group will be one of the very best in the East, competing throughout the entire year for billing. By the time the playoffs roll around, the Celtics could be the favorites to advance to the NBA Finals and finish LeBron James’ reign of terror.
Just don’t be surprised when they go through some hard times first.

Read more: mindingthe.net