The Central Division race is shaping up to be one of the least competitive in the league, with the Milwaukee Bucks standing out as the region’s most dominant team. However, nothing is ever a sure thing in the NBA, and it’s possible that this could end up being the league’s most exciting division.
Whether that happens or not, there’s no denying that the bottom half(ish) of the Central Division is stacked with young talent and will soon be on the rise, even if it doesn’t happen this year.
Let’s check out the latest Central Division betting odds for the 2023-24 NBA season.
NBA Central Division Betting Odds 2024
Track line movement for the NBA Central Division Winner with our odds widget below:
Caesars Sportsbook provides NBA lines for the 2024 NBA Central winner, which are current as of Thursday, July 6, at 9 a.m. ET:
- Milwaukee Bucks (-400)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (+300)
- Chicago Bulls (+2500)
- Indiana Pacers (+3000)
- Detroit Pistons (+15000)
Who Will Win The NBA Central Division?
Milwaukee Bucks (-400)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 Units
Despite their early exit from the playoffs, the Bucks are installed as heavy favorites to represent the Central Division in 2024. With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way and Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez surrounding him, Milwaukee has one of the highest ceilings in the NBA.
The Bucks pretty easily won the Central Division crown in 2023, finishing seven games above the second-place finisher and 18 above the third. It was truly a two-team race this past season, and that figures to be the case again.
Time will tell if Adrian Griffin can live up to Mike Budenholzer‘s level of regular-season success, but I’m confident enough in this group to lock this in as my NBA bet of the day.
NBA Central Division Favorite
Cleveland Cavaliers (+300)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
If it isn’t the Bucks, it’s likely to be the Cavaliers. Cleveland won 51 games in 2022-23 — the most in the post-LeBron James era — thanks in part to the spectacular play of Donovan Mitchell, who led the team in scoring at 28.3 points per game.
The Cavs go beyond Mitchell, though, and youth is on their side. The three next-best players on the roster — Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley — are all no older than 25 years old. Cleveland will continue to get better.
By no means are the Bucks a lock to win the division in 2024. At (+300), the Cavaliers are worth your consideration.
NBA Central Division Contenders
Chicago Bulls (+2500)
I don’t know what the Bulls are doing. This will be the third year that the franchise has rolled out the pairing of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, and so far, all the duo can boast about is stealing a game from the Bucks in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
This is a talented group, but Chicago just can’t get over the hump. It doesn’t help that the offense isn’t all that good, despite having two players who averaged over 24 points per game in 2022-23.
Unless the Bulls make some changes or acquire a big-name star, I don’t see a path for them to win the Central Division in 2024. This price might look intriguing, but I promise Chicago isn’t worth your time.
Indiana Pacers (+3000)
The Pacers are all about upside. The defense was atrocious in 2022-23, but Rick Carlisle prefers to win on offense, and Indiana showed some serious flashes of dominance on that end of the floor this past year.
Tyrese Haliburton is the main source of optimism among Pacers faithful. The 23-year-old point guard made his way to his first All-Star Game in 2023, averaging 20.7 points and 10.4 assists per game.
There’s also Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and Rookie of the Year candidate Jarace Walker, rounding out a young, exciting core that could become one of the league’s best in a matter of years.
This isn’t the year for Indiana to return to the top of the Central Division, though. Not with Milwaukee and Cleveland looking this great.
NBA Central Division Sleeper
Detroit Pistons (+15000)
At (+15000), the Pistons are tied with the Washington Wizards for the longest odds to win their respective division in the NBA. That’s hardly a surprise, as Detroit won a league-worst 17 games in 2022-23.
There is some room for optimism. Monty Williams is in as head coach, Cade Cunningham is healthy, and by rounding out its core with Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, James Wiseman, and Ausar Thompson, few teams can say they have as much young talent as Detroit.
The future is bright for the Pistons, but it’s going to take some time for it to all come together.
