NBA online betting sites are now shifting to the most contentious division battles. In this article, we have our final NBA Division Futures Update 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. Also, we peek at the Atlantic Division where the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are neck and neck.
| Central Division Champion |  |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | -25000 |
| Chicago Bulls | +680 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +3100 |
| Northwest Division Champion | |
| Utah Jazz | -1204 |
| Denver Nuggets | +430 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +2200 |
| Atlantic Division Champion | |
| Boston Celtics | -115 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -115 |
The top NBA Central Division Futures pick since the start of the 2021-22 season has been the Milwaukee Bucks, for over a month currently. Now, this was a team that won the NBA Championship last year. They may have lost a few pieces but Milwaukee has won seven of their last ten games.
One of the reasons why they are now the biggest favorites among the races left is this. They have the “Greek Freak”. It’s that simple. Cleveland may be too far back at five games out but Chicago is still just three games away from the Central Division lead. It just seems that Giannis Antetokounmpo is swaying the numbers that much. Yes, MyBookie has Milwaukee at -25000. That is not a misprint.
So, with eight games to go. Milwaukee still may not win 50 games this season. The Bucks still would have to win four of their remaining eight games. That seems a reachable goal for the Bucks. Milwaukee has the best offense on a consistent basis among teams in the East. The conference record has rounded into form (28-18) and the Bucks are 10-3 within the division. The thought process is that their schedule is very tough down the stretch.
Now, a minor debate starts up for NBA Division Futures Picks. Milwaukee should win the division but what if? Also, could the Chicago Bulls be that thorn in Milwaukee’s side?
It is impressive how the Chicago Bulls are close to the Milwaukee Bucks in the odds. The team itself is so balanced against everyone else. The problem with the Bulls is their record against the top three squads from the Eastern and Western Conference. That is a goose egg that is difficult to overlook. However, Chicago just has to beat Milwaukee once and get a little help.
Add in the duo of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine and Chicago has a chance. Yes, the Bulls are a bit of a disappointing story. However, they are more than that. The team is capable of playing playoff-level defense. That will be vital going forward during these final games of the regular season. It is why the Chicago Bulls are worth a “longer shot” pick to win the Central Division.
As the NBA goes through the final two weeks, the Division Futures for the Atlantic Division have gone even. That’s right. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have even odds to take home the Atlantic Division crown and a higher seed for the playoffs. With eight games left, the teams are right next to each other.
It is all about the last couple of weeks of the regular season. Both teams have been on hot streaks, to say the least. Boston is one of the hottest squads in the NBA right now. They have won nine of ten and five straight contests. Meanwhile, Philadelphia, despite some issues, has won seven of their previous ten and three consecutive games.
Again, it feels like the Celtics are the team that is feeling the least pressure. They have the least to lose and honestly, few expected them to be anywhere near this position. Boston also allows the fewest points per game at 103.8. Remember, defense arguably tightens, even more, come playoff time. Also, they have the chance to aim a little higher.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been very good and Joel Embiid is very much an MVP-caliber candidate this season. However, the volatility of James Harden has to be documented here. Philadelphia probably has more firepower. Boston has more of the team. Oddly enough, that “team” has the most points in the division per game since the All-Star Break. Boston’s schedule is a little better in this final span of games too.
For this Division Futures pick, our best bet is to now take the Boston Celtics while this is even.
The Utah Jazz (-1204) is the team that actually leads the Northwest Division. Utah is 45-29. With just eight games left, they are only 1.5 games up on the Denver Nuggets and 2.5 games up on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The red flags for the Jazz are starting to mount. They have split their last ten games and lost three consecutive. That has kept Denver alive but now has let Minnesota in.
There is value with the Minnesota Timberwolves. They have been on the biggest bender since the All-Star break and have sustained it winning seven of their last ten. While Denver is just 6-9 in the division, Minnesota is 11-4 and capable of defeating Utah. Their schedule is tough but five of the final seven teams are beatable. With Utah, it becomes a question of can they snap out of their funk.
MyBookie went a little longer with Minnesota’s odds (+2200) and that is fair considering the margin for error.
Pick the Boston Celtics to win the NBA Atlantic Division title this season. Take a tiny wager on Minnesota and maybe even Chicago too.
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