LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Lakers often bring in big betting interest anyway, but the questionable midseason trade that landed Luka Doncic from Dallas has individuals emptying their checking account to put money on Los Angeles.
And the cash, primarily fueled by casual wagerers, is still coming.
BetMGM trading supervisor Halvor Egeland said 99% of the bets on the Lakers' opening-round NBA playoffs series against Minnesota is on LA. That series opens Saturday in Los Angeles.
"It's practically all Lakers money can be found in up until now in the series," Egeland said. "I believe they opened up -160 (favorites), and we've taken some bigger bets on it. There's enjoyment around the Lakers for sure, but it's surprising how much we've taken on the Lakers."
LeBron James and the Lakers now are -200 favorites at BetMGM to beat the Timberwolves.
Caesars Sportsbook likewise has actually been hit hard with bets on the Lakers, who are drawing strong money to win the Western Conference and NBA Finals.
Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic (77) and LeBron James, center, right, hug and celebrate late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
"It's been kind of a running style for a couple of months now," Caesars pro basketball lead trader David Lieberman stated.
They went from about 40-1 at Caesars to win the champion before the Doncic trade to now 10-1.
The Lakers remain Southern California's glamour group, but the Clippers might be playing at a greater level. Bettors certainly are occurring on them.
The Clippers went from underdogs to favorites at BetMGM and Caesars in their first-round series versus Denver although the Nuggets have home-court advantage.
"I really think the Clippers might come out of the West," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated. "Nobody's speaking about them. ... but I think they could win whatever, I really do. It's a great veteran mix. They're not too old. They have actually got guys who've been around and won titles."
The oft-injured Kawhi Leonard finally looks like the gamer who won champions in San Antonio and Toronto.
"Personally, it does pertain to Kawhi's health," Egeland stated. "Right now, he's been great, however history repeats itself regularly - Kawhi Leonard gets hurt and James Harden no-shows in some games in the playoffs. There does appear to be a belief in (Leonard), but we'll see what happens."
Boston might be headed into the playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, but the Celtics are favored at both sportsbooks to make the NBA Finals.
The Celtics are attempting to end up being the NBA's first repeat champ since 2018 when Golden State won its third title in 4 years.
They are +200 at BetMGM win the title, simply behind Oklahoma City at +185. The numbers are similar at Caesars - +200 for the Celtics to +170 for the Thunder.
"Boston was playing quite well down the stretch," Marshall said. "They ´ d most likely be favored over (East leading seed) Cleveland despite the fact that they wouldn ´ t have home court."There will be plenty of focus on Jaylen Brown. The MVP of last year's NBA Finals has actually gotten knee injections and hasn't played much over the previous month.
"On paper, I think the Celtics have a pretty big edge (in the East) if they ´ re healthy," Lieberman stated. "But I feel like they probably won ´ t be entirely healthy."
A Golden State championship would be bad news for the sportsbooks after all the cash that has actually come in on the Warriors considering that they acquired Jimmy Butler. He assisted stimulate a late-season run before the Warriors lost 3 of their last 5 regular-season video games.
That forced the Warriors into the Play-In Tournament, and they beat Memphis 121-116 on Tuesday night to protect the seventh seed.
"I am a bit hesitant they can make a run all the way through the West," Lieberman stated. "A lot of their players are pretty old and it's hard to see them making it through the gauntlet. On skill alone, you have (Steph) Curry and Butler playing at a high level and the experience they have going up against more youthful teams in Houston and OKC (Oklahoma City). I will not count them out."
Top-seeded Oklahoma City is almost being overlooked by the wagerers, however much of that relates to the cost point rather than the team youth and inexperience playing in the playoffs.
The Thunder, led by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are heavy favorites to a minimum of make the NBA Finals. Many bettors are discovering higher worth with other groups in what is a deep Western Conference.
"I don't believe that they're doubting the Thunder," Egeland stated. "I believe it's more that you do not wish to put a bet on a team with that except odds."
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) get looked at by the medics during second half of an NBA basketball video game versus theSacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, right, talks with previous colleague, Washington Wizards' Marcus Smart, following an game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III brings the ball up the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the very first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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