Vegas NBA online betting sites are now shifting to the most contentious division battles. In this article, we have our NBA Central Division Future Picks for the 2021-22 season. Will the Milwaukee Bucks or the Cleveland Cavaliers win the division? Or is there value from Chicago? At VegasBetting, it is time to look closer at this.
2021-22 NBA Futures -- Central Division Champion | |
---|---|
Milwaukee Bucks | -110 |
Chicago Bulls | +168 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | +260 |
The top NBA Central Division Futures pick since the start of the 2021-22 season has shifted around to a couple of teams. So, right now the Milwaukee Bucks, they still do not get the respect that the Bucks should. Now, this was a team that won the NBA Championship last year. They may have lost a few pieces but Milwaukee seems to be catching their groove.
One of the reasons why they are still considered the tiniest of favorites is this. They have some good scoring pieces still. Naturally, Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the way even more this regular season. Milwaukee desires to prove that last season was not a fluke. Bubbles be damned basically. Milwaukee was 12 games over .500 and 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago Bulls at press time.
So, less is indeed more. Milwaukee could win 50 games but 55 is out of reach. The Bucks still would have to win 14 of their remaining 22 games. That is a reachable goal for the Bucks. Milwaukee has the best offense on a consistent basis among teams in the East. The conference record is a bit of a concern but the Bucks are 8-3 within the division. The thought process is that they are better within their division than Chicago and Cleveland.
Now, the debates start to crank up for NBA Central Division Futures Picks. Also, there again are those pesky Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.
It is a given why the Cleveland Cavaliers are still so close to the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls in the odds. The team itself is so balanced. Keep in mind, they have nine players who are currently scoring in double figures per game. Between Darius Garland and Ricky Rubio, they can move the ball with much speed. Add in their ability to play a little defense now and then helps too. Caris LeVert was added for some more scoring and defensive pace.
Add in the duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and Cleveland has room to improve and move up. Yes, the Cavaliers are a feel-good story. However, they are more than that. Mobley and Allen can play some solid to at times playoff level defense. That will be vital going forward during the final quarter of the regular season. It is why the Cleveland Cavaliers are our “long shot” pick to win the Central Division Futures.
As NBA action begins again Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers have remained contenders to win the NBA Central Division Futures for several reasons. Once again, at MyBookie, Cleveland’s division aspirations reached a level solid enough that it carries positive value.
It is all about the fourth and final quarter of the regular season. The one team that is the hottest in the Central is the Chicago Bulls, who have won five straight games. Over the past ten games, the Cavaliers are just 6-4, and are tied with Milwaukee for second in the division. Fortunately, Cleveland again has that depth which Milwaukee and Chicago do not quite have. Cleveland may be young in some ways but thankfully are not in others.
Again, it feels like the Cavaliers are the team that is feeling the least pressure. They have the least to lose and honestly, few expected them to be anywhere near a playoff spot. Cleveland also allows the fewest points per game at 102.5. Remember, defense arguably tightens even more come playoff time. It makes the case for Cleveland a little stronger.
Evan Mobley keeps evolving and expects to win the NBA Rookie Of The Year Award when all is said and done this season. Some debate teams have figured out Cleveland’s defensive schemes but the argument is that Cleveland should pick things up during the final 24 games of the season (14 at home helps).
For the NBA Central Division Futures pick, our best bet is to now take the Cleveland Cavaliers and hope the odds stretch out.
The Chicago Bulls (+168) are the team that actually leads the Central Division. Could they win this? There is a chance and Chicago is 38-21. Chicago has played 31 games at home and 28 on the road. That gives them 23 games left. That means 11 at home and 12 on the road.
The concern for the Bulls is that they are only beating the teams they are supposed to beat. Chicago won five straight games but they are around .500 or below. They lost to three winning teams before that and two were at home.
There is still some value with DeMar DeRozan And Zach LaVine who are the main offensive thrusts. They have combined for nearly 53 points a game. Add in the contributions of Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic and Chicago feels they have just enough to hold off Milwaukee and Cleveland.
MyBookie went a little longer with Chicago’s odds and that is valid considering the Bulls’ scoring margin is lower than the other two contenders.
Pick the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA Central Division title this season.
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