The Cavaliers have won the Central division for four consecutive seasons, and the Cavs, Pistons, and Bulls have combined to claim 12 of the last 14 division titles. However, those clubs won’t enter the 2018/19 season as the frontrunners to finish atop the Central.
Currently, the Pacers and Bucks are viewed as virtual co-favorites for the Central crown in ’18/19. The opening over/unders from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook had the Pacers at 47.5 wins and the Bucks at 46.5. Currently, however, betting site Bodog.eu has both teams projected at 46.5 wins for the upcoming season. No other Central team is projected to get to .500.
Indiana and Milwaukee finished four games apart last season, as the 48-34 Pacers claimed the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the 44-38 Bucks came in at No. 7. Both clubs have also made modest upgrades to their respective rosters during the offseason.
Indiana lost Lance Stephenson, Trevor Booker, Al Jefferson, and Glenn Robinson III, but added Tyreke Evans, Doug McDermott, Kyle O’Quinn, and Aaron Holiday. In Milwaukee, the Bucks acquired Ersan Ilyasova, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, and Donte DiVincenzo to replace Jabari Parker, Brandon Jennings, and Jason Terry.
As they look to leapfrog the Pacers in 2018/19, the Bucks will be relying on continued development from Giannis Antetokounmpo – potentially the best player in the East – as well as an immediate impact from new head coach Mike Budenholzer. As for the Pacers, they’ll count on continuity from a group that gelled quickly last season, as well as improvements from young players like Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner, and Domantas Sabonis.
What do you think? Do you expect the Pacers to supplant the Cavaliers as the Central’s top team in 2018/19? Will the Bucks take home the Central crown for the first time since 2001? Or will the Pistons, Cavs, or Bulls make a surprise run to win the division?
Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!
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Pacers
Bucks
Definitely the Bucks
Umm the Bucks also added brook Lopez the best of the additions
The Bulls will run away with the division.
Milwaukee, is got the edge when it comes to star power with Giannis.
And Star Power wins games? Pacers are a lock, better roster top to bottom & better coaching as well. Kidd made the Bucks a Hot Mess & they pick up the fired coach of the worst team in the East.
My question is Steph Curry says he wants to retire with Golden State. Klay Thompson says he wants to play his career with Curry. KD says he only wants to play 5 more years. How many championships in a row can they win? Pacers play best as underdogs. They are the deepest team in the conference. Like Brad Stevens says, we’ll play out the season and see what happens. I’d love to see Boston and Golden State in the next 4 Finals.
Im gonna go with indian mainly because i view oladipo as a possible mvp candidate. Ofc under anthony davs no bias. But im betting on indiana as 1/2 seed
Davis*
Still wondering how Oquinn wound up on the Pacers.
Bucks best bet
Pacers beat the Bucks in the regular season series 3-1 and they got better this offseason. So many Zs on the Cers.
Don’t count the Bullsout soon as that bad contract is off the book of the center can’t remember his name just that stupid contract cause he hustle on the court