The Cleveland Cavaliers are the favorite to win the Central Division in 2025
The Milwaukee Bucks are the top contender for the division crown.
Last year's Central Division winner was the Milwaukee Bucks
The Central Division has one clear leader. While others have tried to break into the competition for the division crown, the difference between them and the top looks too great to overcome. At WSN, we're locked in on the 2025 Central Division race, offering the latest odds, predictions, and analyses for the 2024-25 NBA season!
Off the back of their stellar start to the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the favorite to win the Central Division. The Milwaukee Bucks are their top contenders after bouncing back from a tough open to the season, while the Indiana Pacers hope to rekindle the success of last year. The Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons are one the outside looking in, with their eyes fixated on the NBA Draft Lottery.
The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t missed a beat this season, still owning just four losses on the year with an eight game lead over second place in the Central Division. Notably, they’ve been incredibly adaptable as their roster has had their own injury issues, yet they’ve not dipped in quality. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley continue to highlight the play of this brilliant team.
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Who Is the Favorite to Win the Central Division in 2025?
Cleveland Cavaliers (-1250) at FanDuel
Year
Record
Finish
Off Rtg
Def Rtg
Pace
PPG
Opp PPG
2024-25
22-4, 1st in NBA Eastern Conference
-
120.9 (1st of 30)
111.0 (9th of 30)
100.2 (6th of 30)
121.2 (2nd of 30)
111.2 (11th of 30)
Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson
Key Players: Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland
Key Additions: JT Thor, Jaylon Tyson
Key Losses: Marcus Morris
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to set the pace in the Central Division during the early part of the season. Over the past two weeks, they’ve posted a 4-1 record, holding opponents to 106.0 points per game while limiting them to 45.1% shooting overall and 30.7% from three. Although their schedule has been favorable, a standout victory against the Denver Nuggets underscored their strong week. Their massive lead in the division will be difficult for any team to overcome. And while Cleveland has displayed a balanced approach throughout the season, Donovan Mitchell has room to elevate his recent performance, where he has averaged 19.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds over the last two weeks.
Key Additions: Gary Trent Jr., Delon Wright, Taurean Prince
Key Losses: Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jae Crowder
The Milwaukee Bucks have regained momentum after a slow start to the season. Now back above .500 and advancing to the Emirates NBA Cup Final, they’ve turned around a campaign that once seemed off course. Over the past two weeks, the Bucks have posted a 4-2 record, with setbacks against the Hawks and Celtics during regular season play before shifting focus to the NBA Cup knockout stage. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the star of the show these past two weeks, averaging 32.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assets per game on 63.1% from the field. To properly push for the Central Division crown, they will need to secure impactful wins against their top rivals.
The Indiana Pacers continue to fail to meet expectations through the early regular season. They have yet to show that they’re the team they were last season, as they sit under .500 in the Eastern Conference and have 11 games back of the top spot in the Central Division. Going 3-3 over the past two weeks, the Pacers found wins over the lowly Bulls, Sixers, and Pelicans while losing to the Raptors, Nets, and Hornets. Injury hasn’t helped their cause, and while Tyrese Haliburton has improved as of late, putting up 22.0 points, 8.5 assists,s and 3.5 threes per game, it’s all about consistency if they hope to challenge for the Central Division.
Key Losses: DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Andre Drummond
Many believed the Chicago Bulls would be among the bottom third of the NBA this season, but so far, they’ve been better than expected if uninspired. The guard-heavy lineup has gone 3-2 over the last two weeks, beating the Nets, Spurs, and Hornets. Big man Nikola Vucevic deserves recognition, averaging 21.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.3 threes per game, standing out with a 39-point, eight-rebound, five-assists effort in a win over the Spurs.
Key Additions: Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley
Key Losses: James Wiseman, Quentin Grimes, Malachi Flynn
The Detroit Pistons have struggled over the past two weeks, going 1-4 and continuing to sit in the bottom of the Central Division standings. Cade Cunningham has been the team's standout performer, averaging 24.3 points, 10.8 assists, and 8.0 rebounds during this stretch. However, with their current record and level of competition in the division, their chances of contending for the Central Division title appear extremely slim. It's certainly another development year for the Detroit Pistons.
TThe Milwaukee Bucks won the Central Division in 2023-24. They finished the season with a 49-33 overall record and went 10-7 against their division rivals.
How many times has a Central Division team won the NBA Championship?
Central Division teams have won the NBA Championship 12 times. The Chicago Bulls have six titles, owing to the incredible Michael Jordan era. The Detroit Pistons have three NBA Championships, back-to-back with the Bad Boys Pistons and another in 2004. Milwaukee has won the Central Division's most recent title in 2021, and their first in 1971. And while the Indiana Pacers have three ABA Championships to their name, they've never won an NBA Championship since the merger.
Who are the top players in the Central Division?
The top players in the Central Division are Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Donovan Mitchell (CLE), Zach LaVine (CHI), Cade Cunningham (DET), and Tyrese Haliburton (IND).
Which team has won the Central Division most?
The Milwaukee Bucks have won the Central Division most, with twelve division titles. Detroit is second with nine division titles. The Chicago The Milwaukee Bucks have won the Central Division the most, with thirteen division titles. Detroit is second with nine division titles. The Chicago Bulls have eight division titles. The Cleveland Cavaliers have won the Central Division seven times. The Indiana Pacers have won the division six times.
Which team has won the Central Division least?
The Indiana Pacers have the fewest Central Division titles, with six.
Do the Central Division Champions receive a trophy?
Yes, since the 2021-22 NBA season, the Central Division champions have received the Wayne Embry Trophy.
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Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
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