The NBA Central Division has an interesting mix of contenders, contending hopefuls, and lottery dwellers. The Milwaukee Bucks have won six straight division titles, and the NBA betting lines have them favored to win again. The Pacers and Cavaliers are good up-and-coming teams, but the Bucks are still the team to beat in the NBA Central Division.
NBA Odds: Breaking Down the Favorites in the Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks: Recent Central Division Champs
Murmurs are starting that the Bucks’ reign in the NBA central division is coming to an end. They haven’t made a deep playoff run in a couple of years now, and although Giannis Antetokounmpo is still in his prime, the Bucks roster is aging. Damian Lillard will be a key factor in the Bucks’ success. If he can turn back the clock and find some solid chemistry with Giannis, the Bucks offense could be unstoppable. The alternative is that the Bucks’ aging roster of him, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton has seen their best years come and go. According to FanDuel, they are still the favorites to win the division at –120.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Running it Back
The Cavaliers are ready to compete for the NBA Central Division title. The Cavaliers roster is bringing back almost everyone from last season, a team that won 48 games and was second place in the division. They’ve locked up their young core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen for the near future, and are ready to see what a healthy season from all three (and Darius Garland) looks like. The newest face on the Cavaliers roster will be coach Kenny Atkinson. With Atkinson’s fresh ideas and a healthy Garland, we see the Cavaliers contending for the division title. Their odds are +210 to win the division.
Indiana Pacers: Up and Comers
The Pacers leaped last season. Led by young star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, an unassuming Pacers roster made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. They’ve resigned mid-season pickup Pascal Siakam, and are bringing back almost everyone else from last season. Their success will be tied to the chemistry that Haliburton and Siakam can build, as the rest of the Indiana Pacers roster isn’t incredibly talented. That being said, keep doubting them and they will keep surprising. They are +350 to win the division.
Chicago Bulls: Stuck in the Middle
The Bulls have been stuck in no man’s land. The Bulls roster isn’t good enough to contend or make a real playoff run, but it isn’t bad enough to tank and get high-upside lottery picks. They’ve lost their two best players in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso and may finally be ready to properly tank. Their next best player Zach LaVine is on the trading block as well. Josh Giddey comes in to join Coby White in an exciting young backcourt, but not one we expect to produce many wins. The Chicago Bulls roster doesn’t give them a chance to win the division; their NBA central division odds are +20000.
Detroit Pistons: Long Road Ahead
The Detroit Pistons roster is somewhat confusing. They are now multiple years into a rebuild, with not a whole lot to show for it. Former number one overall pick Cade Cunningham and last year’s lottery pick Ausar Thompson are the two most exciting young prospects on the team. They brought back Tobias Harris, who will likely bring some consistency and veteran leadership to their young team. The reality is the Pistons roster just doesn’t have the talent or experience to match up with their division peers. That is why they are long shots at +30000 to win the division.
