Cavs, Bucks predicted to beat projected win totals

John Hollinger believes oddsmakers are underselling two Central Division teams, though for very different reasons.

In his annual preseason exercise for The Athletic, Hollinger picked the Cavaliers and Bucks among five teams he expects to exceed their projected win totals.

Cleveland’s line is 47.5 wins. Hollinger noted that the Cavaliers finished 52-30 last season despite numerous injuries and haven’t won fewer than 48 games since 2021-22.

He also likes the addition of James Harden, who helped Cleveland reach the Eastern Conference finals after arriving in the Darius Garland trade. Peyton Watson should provide another boost after Max Strus and Dean Wade combined to play only 1,606 minutes last season.

The Bucks represent the bolder prediction. Their line sits at just 26.5 wins following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.

Hollinger doesn’t expect Milwaukee to contend, but he believes its improved depth creates a respectable floor. Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and Nate Ament arrived from Miami, while Caris LeVert gives new coach Taylor Jenkins another proven rotation player.

That may not make the Bucks good. Hollinger believes it could make them “annoyingly frisky,” which might be enough to reach 30 wins and cash the over.