The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a 15-3 start, one of the best starts in franchise history. After losing the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals to the Toronto Raptors after having a 2-0 series lead, the Bucks were stunned. Remember that the Bucks, heading into Game 3 of the Toronto series with a two-game lead, had never lost three or more consecutive games in a season. When they lost four straight games to the Raptors, that was the only time all season they had lost four in a row. Now the Bucks know that this season is make-or-break in terms of winning the Eastern Conference and making the franchise\u2019s first NBA Finals series since 1974. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While they started out a bit slow at 2-2, their odds to win the Central Division were just -830. Now they have won 13 of their last 14 games and are a massive -2000 favorite. Can anyone stop them or are the Bucks already on cruise control \u2013 even though we haven\u2019t even hit December yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giannis Antetokounmpo is easily one of the five best players in the league (James Harden, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard) and is one of the early favorites to win the MVP award. He recently hit the 50-point mark in a game against the Utah Jazz and is averaging 31.3 points per game with 13.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists while leading the league with a 32.73 PER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giannis is certainly getting the help he needs at least thus far as Khris Middleton is averaging 18.5 points per game, Eric Bledsoe 17.3 per game, Brook Lopez is averaging 10.8 points per game. Four double-figure scorers give the Bucks the balance their offense lacked in last spring\u2019s Toronto series. The Bucks\u2019 offense bogged down against the Raptors but if they have four guys scoring 11 or more points per game (as is the case now), they will be extremely hard to beat. As a team, Milwaukee is averaging 120 points per game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, playoff basketball is rougher and tougher. That\u2019s the issue with the Bucks as they dropped off in the postseason and they probably won\u2019t average 120 per game against Philadelphia or Toronto. However, that\u2019s not all too relevant for winning this prop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pacers, at 11-6, are the only team within shouting distance of the Bucks. The Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Detroit Pistons are all under .500. None of those teams occupy playoff positions in the Eastern Conference. This is part of why the Bucks are huge Central favorites. Nevertheless, the Pacers have even more balance than the Bucks. Six Indiana players average double-figure point totals. Former Buck Malcolm Brogdon leads the way with 18.8 points per game while chipping in 8.2 assists per game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key here is that the Pacers still don\u2019t have Victor Oladipo back in the lineup, who is their All-Star. He finally went through a full scrimmage and is eyeing a return to the lineup in early or mid-December. The Pacers have won four in a row and eight of 10. If they get their best player back and he\u2019s an immediate difference-maker, this team could be capable of challenging the Bucks. At +1400 on the Pacers to win the Central, there might be some value there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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