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Predictions For The Central Division In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left in yellow cap, celebrates during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left in yellow cap, celebrates during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the reigning champions and several playoff contenders residing in the Central Division, here’s a look at how it will shake out in the 2016-17 NBA season.

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Following a tumultuous 2015-16 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers went on a storybook run in the playoffs cultivating in the team coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the greatest regular-season team in NBA history to bring a championship to the Land for the first time in 52 years.

The crown now resides in the Central Division and the expectation is that the division — and the Eastern Conference at large — will go through the Land once again.

While the Cavs are head and shoulders above the rest, the Central Division is arguably the best in the Eastern Conference, with all five teams having a significant chance of making the playoffs in 2017.

The Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers are both young squads built around superstar-level talents entering their respective primes who got a taste of the postseason last year and are looking for more.

Related Story: The Greatest Player In Every Franchise's History

The Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks both enter the 2016-17 season attempting to shake off tumultuous 2015-16 seasons that saw them deal with identity crises, inner turmoil and injury by returning to the ranks of the East’s elite.

While no one expects the Cavs to be knocked off the throne, here’s a look at how the Central Division picture will shake out in the 2016-17 NBA calendar year.

Next: No. 5