WASHINGTON -- Now that everyone knows Chris Bosh's career with the Miami Heat is probably over, oddsmakers are pretty much burying the franchise's chances this season.
The Bovada.lv offshore sports book on Tuesday set the over-under betting line on Miami's win total for this coming season at 34 1/2 games. Last week the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook tabbed Miami at the 36 1/2 wins (tied for third-fewest in the Eastern Conference).
Only the Brooklyn Nets (20 1/2), Los Angeles Lakers (24 1/2), Phoenix Suns (30) and Sacramento Kings (34) are projected to produce fewer wins than the Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, who are also projected to win 34 1/2 games with forward Khris Middleton expected to be out until March. The Philadelphia 76ers were off the board due to Ben Simmons' foot injury.
The last time the Heat, last year's No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, won fewer than 35 games was when they went 15-67 in 2007-08 (Pat Riley's final season as coach). Under Riley's leadership as coach and as team president, the Heat has only finished with a losing record three times since 1995.
What does coach Erik Spoelstra like about this team, which must replace Dwyane Wade, Bosh, Luol Deng and Joe Johnson among others?
"I do like the competitiveness of guys," he said. "Guys are really coming to work and getting after it, getting after each other. We've also gotten to that point that we better play somebody else soon. This group has a good energy and approach every day. So, I do like that."
OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL BETTING LINES (BOVADA.LV)
Golden State Warriors (66 1/2)
San Antonio Spurs (58 1/2)
Cleveland Cavaliers (56 1/2)
Los Angeles Clippers (53 1/2)
Boston Celtics (52 1/2)
Toronto Raptors (50 1/2)
Utah Jazz (49)
Detroit Pistons (45 1/2)
Portland Trailblazers (45 1/2)
Indiana Pacers (44 1/2)
Houston Rockets (44)
Atlanta Hawks (43 1/2)
Oklahoma City Thunder (43 1/2)
Charlotte Hornets (42 1/2)
Memphis Grizzlies (42 1/2)
Washington Wizards (42 1/2)
Minnesota Timberwolves (40 1/2)
Chicago Bulls (38 1/2)
Dallas Mavericks (38 1/2)
New York Knicks (38 1/2)
Orlando Magic (37 1/2)
Denver Nuggets (37)
New Orleans Pelicans (37)
Miami Heat (34 1/2)
Milwaukee Bucks (34 1/2)
Sacramento Kings (34)
Phoenix Suns (30)
Los Angeles Lakers (24 1/2)
Brooklyn Nets (20 1/2)
Philadelphia 76ers (Off the board)
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