No NBA team has exceeded expectations more than the Minnesota Timberwolves
To say it’s a surprise the Minnesota Timberwolves are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference two-thirds of the way through the NBA season is an understatement. Minnesota’s preseason win total of 44.5 was lower than seven teams and tied with several others.
Now, more than four months into the season, they’re just six wins away from eclipsing that total, and sportsbooks have adjusted. Minnesota’s new win total is 56.5 at BetMGM, matching the largest increase from open to All-Star break. The second-place Oklahoma City Thunder also saw a 12-win increase, going from 43.5 to 55.5 today.
The only other teams with double-digit increases are all in the Eastern Conference, where the Boston Celtics went from 53.5 to 63.5, the Indiana Pacers went from 35.5 to 45.5 and the Orlando Magic went from 35.5 to 45.5.
Notable win total increases — Open to All-Star Break (BetMGM)
- Celtics: 53.5 to 63.5
- Timberwolves: 44.5 to 56.5
- Clippers: 46.5 to 55.5
- Thunder: 43.5 to 55.5
- Cavaliers: 49.5 to 54.5
- Knicks: 43.5 to 49.5
- Pelicans: 43.5 to 48.5
- Pacers: 35.5 to 45.5
- Magic: 35.5 to 45.5
- Rockets: 31.5 to 36.5
As for decreases, there were quite a few even bigger than Minnesota’s leap. A slow start combined with Ja Morant’s season-ending injury dropped the Memphis Grizzlies’ total by 19 wins, from 45.5 to 26.5. And thanks to a record 28-game losing streak, the Detroit Pistons’ total dropped from 27.5 to 13.5. Other notable decreases include the San Antonio Spurs going from 30.5 to 17.5 and the Charlotte Hornets going from 31.5 to 18.5.
Notable win total decreases — Open to All-Star Break (BetMGM)
- Warriors: 49.5 to 44.5
- Hawks: 42.5 to 37.5
- Raptors: 37.5 to 29.5
- Grizzlies: 45.5 to 26.5
- Trail Blazers: 28.5 to 22.5
- Hornets: 31.5 to 18.5
- Spurs: 30.5 to 17.5
- Wizards: 24.5 to 15.5
- Pistons: 27.5 to 13.5