Let's Set Odds: Which Eastern Conference Team Gets to 50 Wins First?
Every team in the Eastern Conference has finally passed the halfway mark in their season. With under 41 games left and the playoff picture coming into focus, the race for 50 wins is on.
Although it’s an arbitrary number, the team that gets to 50 games first is often set up to get the No. 1 seed or is considered one of the true contenders in their respective conference. The top five teams in the Eastern Conference are within one win of each other, so let’s set odds for who will reach that milestone first.
Odds To Reach 50 Wins First In Eastern Conference
- Miami Heat: +100
- Brooklyn Nets: +150
- Milwaukee Bucks: +165
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +175
- Chicago Bulls:+200
Miami Heat: +100
The Heat are in the best position to get to 50 wins first. They currently have the most wins in the Eastern conference (28) and are healthy again. Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler are back in the lineup, giving them defense and offensive creation that they’ve been devoid of for weeks.
Miami already has one of the most efficient offenses (112.2 offensive rating), and now Adebayo gives them a defensive anchor. If the Heat can just keep doing what they’re doing, 50 wins will be here soon.
Brooklyn Nets: +150
The Nets are going to be without Kevin Durant for a while, but I don’t see that being as much of an issue as others do. Kyrie Irving can only play on the road, and 10 of the Nets’ next 13 games are on the road. In the short term, Brooklyn should be able to stay above water and wait for Durant to come back and join them.
The Nets, on star power alone, should never be counted out.
Milwaukee Bucks: +165
Milwaukee hasn’t fully hit its stride yet, but the Bucks have arguably the best player in the world. That erases a lot of mistakes. The one concern I have with the Bucks is that they have the toughest remaining schedule in the league. Until Jrue Holiday comes back, it will be a lot of Antetokounmpo’s shoulders.
The Bucks are still top 10 in offensive and defensive rating, but the never-ending schedule of contenders will be tough.
Cleveland Cavaliers: +175
Although they’re young and unproven, the Cavaliers are a sneaky team to accomplish this feat. Cleveland has the easiest-remaining schedule and can capitalize on that to get to 50 wins. The Cavaliers’ offense is middle of the pack, but their defense is strong and will carry them to wins. In terms of defensive rating, the Cavs are the third-best defense in the league.
With an easy schedule and nice young players, Cleveland can get the job done.
Chicago Bulls: +200
While the Cavaliers are winning with defense, the Bulls are searching for some. Chicago has a league-worst defensive rating during its four-game losing streak. The Bulls are slumping while a lot of other teams are finding their strides and it is not a good look. Chicago is currently the No. 1 seed. Yet until Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso get back, they should expect to continue sliding.