You Can get 10-1 Odds the Pacers Win the Central; Is There Value?

• The Indiana Pacers are coming on strong in the NBA’s Central Division
• Do they still have a chance of winning the division title? 
• Or is a bet on the Milwaukee Bucks easy money?

For much of the season the Milwaukee Bucks have looked to have the NBA’s Central Division on lock. But the surging Indiana Pacers are on a six-game winning streak and are suddenly back in the conversation. With odds as long as 10-1 still available to win the division, are the Pacers worth your money?

2019 NBA Central Division Odds

*Odds taken on 2/11

Pacers Peaking at Right Time

The title race for the NBA’s Central Division looked over earlier this year.

With star SG Victor Oladipo lost for the season with a torn quad muscle as of January 23rd and the team dropping their fourth game in a row on January 31st, any hope of catching the Milwaukee Bucks seemed slim. 

However, a team visit to the injured Oladipo seems to have injected new life into the team.

The Pacers are undefeated in the month of February having won their last six, including a 99-90 win over Charlotte last night. During their current win streak they’ve averaging 110 points per game while only giving up an average of 93.5

Even as he recovers from a season-ending injury, Victor Oladipo is still confident in the #Pacers: "The team is very capable of doing special things still, even without me out there. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do and how far they can go." pic.twitter.com/fg1pIxRpxK

— Bally Sports Indiana (@BallySportsIN) February 11, 2019

In Oladipo’s place, Bojan Bogdanovic has more than picked up the slack to keep Indiana well involved in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Since Oladipo’s injury, Bogdanovic has scored over 20 points six times in 10 games. During their current wining streak he’s averaging 22.5 PPG.

Leading the @Pacers to 4-0 record and Week 17 Eastern Conference Player of the Week… @44Bojan (22.5 PPG)! #Pacers pic.twitter.com/F7DOjS2ErM

— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2019

Bucks Return to Win Column

Milwaukee have been one of the league’s top teams all season. They became odds-on favorites to win the Central way back in early November and haven’t looked back since. They’re led by the seventh-leading scorer and MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and his 27.1 PPG.

Prior to Saturday’s game versus Orlando, the Bucks had won six straight and 12 of 13.

The Milwaukee @Bucks have won 23 of their last 26 games with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they hold the NBA's best record at 41-13.

Over that 26-game span, @Giannis_An34 averaged 28.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 steals, while shooting 54.8% from the field. pic.twitter.com/OIW5klhCuZ

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 9, 2019

The Greak Freak sat out Saturday and the Bucks got rolled to the tune of 103-83, but he returned last night against the Bulls and contributed 29 points in a 122-99 Bucks’ win.

Milwaukee also improved their squad at the trade deadline by acquiring Nikola Mirotic from the Pelicans. Mirotic was averaging 16.7 PPG and 8.3 RPG with New Orleans.

Should You Bet Anyone Other than the Bucks?

If you want any value for your money then yes, you could do worse than placing a small wager on Indiana Pacers.

While I struggle to see the Bucks coughing up the division lead, laying prices in the neighborhood of -2000 and -5000 is just not something I can endorse for a team with only a 4.5 game lead.

When you talk about the top teams in the East, the Pacers don’t usually come up in conversation. The Bucks, Raptors, 76ers, and Celtics are typically considered to be interchangeable when talking about the East’s top contenders.

The Bucks' 41 WINS are already a new franchise-high for victories prior to the All-Star break!!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/QhrWWGsszl

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 12, 2019

However, the Indiana Pacers are actually third in the East right now. Only three teams have more wins than Indiana’s 38 on the season. One of those teams does include the Bucks.

Only three teams have more wins than Indiana’s 38 on the season.

So, if you’re looking for value now may be the time to grab a flyer on the Pacers. Though Milwaukee is strong on the road at 19-9, they will be hitting the road for much of the next two months.

Victor Oladipo told Indiana #Pacers teammates that they're at their best when nobody believes in them.https://t.co/9Mla4DDleR

— Pacers Nation (@PacersNationCP) February 11, 2019

The Bucks travel to Indiana on Wednesday before returning home for the next two. However, what follows is a stretch which sees them play eight of 10 on the road, including a second game (at home) to Indiana.

The Bucks and Pacers have split their season series so far at 1-1 this year. If the Pacers can at least split their two against the Bucks and Milwaukee slips up on the road, this division could suddenly become much tighter down the stretch.