2024-25 NBA Central Division Odds and Predictions

The Central Division is owned by the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s arguable a passing of the torch may have begun thanks to a rivalry brewing with the Indiana Pacers, but for the past six seasons, the Central Division went through The Deer.

Going into 2024-25, the Central Division odds aren’t changing the story. The Bucks are still favored to take home the division title, and realistically, only two teams have a chance at stopping them.

Not sure how to bet on the 2024-25 NBA Central Division winner? I’ve got your back, as I’ll break down the latest odds and offer each team’s case for finishing in first place.

There’s more where this came from, too. If you want to bet on NBA division winners this season, be sure to also check out my breakdown of the 2024-25 Atlantic Division odds.

2024-25 NBA Central Division Odds

Here’s the latest pricing for the Central Division, among other markets, at the top sports betting sites.

As you can see, most sportsbooks are favoring Milwaukee to win the Central Division again in 2024-25. The math checks out, as they still have the most talented starting five, and they’ve won the division crown in six straight seasons.

However, the Indiana Pacers did have their number last year. Indy also got to the NBA Cup last season, and after a nice playoff run, they could be ready for that next big step.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the second best NBA Central Division betting odds, of course. I’d say that gives bettors three viable bets to work with, and if the Bucks don’t bring their A-game, it isn’t crazy to think they could trip up and lose their stranglehold on this division.

So, which squad will take first place, and is it possible for anyone else to rise up the ranks? Let’s look at all five teams in the Central Division and come away with a prediction.

NBA Central Division Teams

This division is arguably down to just three teams, judging by the latest NBA odds you’ll find online. That said, let’s explore all five teams and see if they have a case to finish first.

Milwaukee Bucks

• 2023-24 Record: 
• Central Division Odds: -130
• Over/Under Wins: O 50.5 (-115), U 50.5 (-115)
• Make the Playoffs: Y (-4000), N (+1000)
• Play-In Tournament: +1000

When healthy, the Milwaukee Bucks are the best team in the Central Division, and one of the better teams in the entire NBA.

They aren’t at full strength when it matters, unfortunately.

While injuries have derailed Milwaukee’s post-season runs in recent years, they still have perhaps the most dominant player in the game in Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.4 points per game). Damian Lillard (24.3 points per game) and Khris Middleton weigh in as stellar second and third options, giving the Bucks an underrated Big 3.

The team got better at shooting guard when they brought in Gary Trent Jr., too, so there are hopes a team that struggled offensively in the second half last year can find their touch.

Head coach Doc Rivers is about as overrated as courtside roamers are, but he did add a defensive bite to Milwaukee after a slow start in that regard. On paper, Rivers gives them the experience and edge to be a more balanced squad. If they’re healthy and the offense can get humming, this sky’s the limit for the Deer.

Could we be talking about a return to the NBA Finals? I’m not ready to rule it out.

Of course, if you’re betting on the Bucks to win their division, it’s all about the regular season, anyways. And as long as they have The Greek Freak, Milwaukee is absolutely the team to beat in the Central Division.

Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2023-24 Record: 
• Central Division Odds: +225
• Over/Under Wins: O 48.5  (-125), U 48.5 (-105)
• Make the Playoffs: Y (-1500), N (+675)
• Play-In Tournament: +2200

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the second best 2024-25 Central Division odds, perhaps because they arguably have the second best player in Donovan Mitchell.

When Spida is clicking, the Cavs are a tough out. He was again an explosive offensive scorer last year, putting up 26.6 points per game and even dishing out a career-high 6.1 assists per game.

Health was the problem for Cleveland last year, as they weren’t at full strength at the end of the year, and battled injuries during the regular season. If they have everyone for the full season, they definitely could give the Bucks a fight and may be a solid value at their +225 price.

Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley crash the glass and score inside effectively, while Allen is an imposing shot-blocker (1.1 blocks per game) and played a key role in The Association’s 6th most efficient defense.

Darius Garland may need to take a big leap if the Cavs are going to do anything of substance this season, but a quick look at Cleveland’s starting lineup suggests the talent is there for them to be a serious handful.

I don’t deny that Cleveland has the talent, but they do lack top-end star power. Bettors should like that they defend well and can hit the outside shot (9th in made threes per game), but they’ve yet to fully put it all together at a high level.

Indiana Pacers

• 2023-24 Record: 
• Central Division Odds: +350
• Over/Under Wins: O 47.5 (-105), U 47.5 (-125)
• Make the Playoffs: Y (-750), N (+440)
• Play-In Tournament: +2500

If you don’t trust the Cavs to dethrone the Bucks, perhaps you could give the Indiana Pacers a try. They owned Milwaukee last year, having won the season series (4-1) and also ousted the Bucks in the NBA playoffs.

One could argue that Indy benefited immensely from the injury bug biting the Bucks – and that’s true – but there was a mental edge there that was undeniable.

If that remains, the Pacers would be my top pick after Milwaukee. For what it’s worth, they also went 2-2 against the Cavs during the regular season last year, and they’re equipped on offense to hang with literally anyone.

Indiana leaves a lot to be desired on defense, but Tyrese Haliburton (20.1 points and 10.9 assists per game) pushes the pace at the second fastest rate in basketball. The Pacers also ranked third in true shooting percentage last season, and owned the second most efficiency offense.

Haliburton was amazing early in the year, and if he can recapture that form and deliver consistently, the Central Division could be in trouble. Luckily for him, he isn’t doing it all on his own, as the team landed a solid second star in Pascal Siakam last season, and there’s still Myles Turner at the five spot.

Indiana’s offense could get an added boost if Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin can continue developing, too. But we knew this team could score. That’s what has them third in Central Division betting odds, and why they should be taken seriously.

The kicker will be if Hali can vault up another level and if Indy can manage to pick up their defensive play. Regardless, they’re a strong candidate to unseat the Bucks in this division.

Chicago Bulls

• 2023-24 Record: 
• Central Division Odds: +20000
• Over/Under Wins: O 28.5 (-105), U 28.5 (-125)
• Make the Playoffs: Y (+725), N (-1800)
• Play-In Tournament: +25000

We’re done with the serious contenders to win the Central Division. That said, you really never know what can happen, and the Chicago Bulls did make some interesting moves this off-season.

I’d say they were more bad than interesting, but I digress.

Still, the Bulls do have some solid veterans in Nikola Vucevic (18 points and 10.5 rebounds per game) and Zach LaVine, while Coby White was a bright spot in a down year in 2023-24.

Lonzo Ball is also preparing to make his return to the court, while the Bulls got younger when they swung a trade for the versatile Josh Giddey. Unfortunately, they lost solid 3-and-D player Alex Caruso in the process, and also saw DeMar DeRozan leave town this summer.

DeRozan’s absence leaves a massive scoring hole, while the Bulls also are going to take a hit defensively without Caruso. The idea that they have to rely on Giddey’s weak floor-spacing and Lonzo Ball’s balky knee is about as scary as it gets.

What’s more realistic; that this team stays healthy and does anything worth mentioning, or that they crumble early and trade off all of their viable assets?

I’d say the latter, so if you want to bet on NBA trades, be ready to pull the trigger on both LaVine and Vuc being moved.

That might be the way to go, as it’d possibly expedite the development of 2024 NBA Draft pick Matas Buzelis

Sadly, there just isn’t much upside here. Sure, the Bulls could become a cohesive unit and perhaps lean on team offense and defense, but it almost definitely has a ceiling somewhere around third in this division – and that’s being nice.

Detroit Pistons

• 2023-24 Record: 
• Central Division Odds: +50000
• Over/Under Wins: O 24.5 (-125), U 24.5 (-105)
• Make the Playoffs: Y (+1200), N (-6600)
• Play-In Tournament: +50000

Lastly, we have the Detroit Pistons, who should contend with the Bulls for last place in the Central Division. They have a higher ceiling than Chicago, for what it’s worth, as they do have a talented, young core they can get excited about.

Youth, inexperience, and injuries have kept Detroit down for years now, but I wouldn’t be all that shocked if they managed to remove themselves from the Central Division cellar.

It all starts with Cade Cunningham, who continued to flash superstar ability last year, but needs to stay healthy and really take his game to the next level. Jalen Duren is a solid five man, while Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson have high ceilings.

Pistons fans can even get excited about incoming rookie Ron Holland II, although the franchise will likely have to choose between him or Ivey at some point. Even so, if the Pistons let him play right away, the talent is there for him to help them – and perhaps even put him in the NBA Rookie of the Year race.

None of this really matters, though. The Pistons don’t defend well, they don’t have good experience, they play in a solid division, and they also don’t have a reliable offense.

There are early beginnings of something fun and special, but I wouldn’t bet on the Pistons to win this division just yet.

NBA Central Division Predictions

This is one of those NBA divisions where you could go in a few directions. Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers are capable of going for 50+ wins. Indy has proven to be one of the best offensive teams in the league, while the Cavs make their money on the defensive end.

If things start clicking, the Bucks have the ability to be dominant in both regards.

Milwaukee was good offensively to start last season, but they couldn’t defend anyone. Insert Rivers, and their defense became good, but their offense suffered.

The Bucks have such dominant superstar play that they could struggle internally and still win this division, but it’s all about the upside. I view Mil-town as a 50+ win team no matter what, but if they can figure things out, they have 60 wins in their range of outcomes.

Ultimately, their -130 Central Division odds are too good to pass up.

Bet: Milwaukee Bucks -130

Recent NBA Central Division Winners