LA Is Betting Central With Money On The Lakers And Clippers As The
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Lakers often draw in large wagering interest anyway, however the controversial midseason trade that landed Luka Doncic from Dallas has individuals clearing their bank accounts to put cash on Los Angeles.
And the cash, mainly fueled by casual wagerers, is still coming.
BetMGM trading supervisor Halvor Egeland stated 99% of the bets on the Lakers' opening-round NBA playoffs series versus Minnesota is on LA. That series opens Saturday in Los Angeles.
"It's basically all Lakers money being available in up until now in the series," Egeland stated. "I believe they opened up -160 (favorites), and we've taken some bigger bets on it. There's enjoyment around the Lakers for sure, however it's surprising just how much we've handled the Lakers."
LeBron James and the Lakers now are -200 favorites at BetMGM to beat the Timberwolves.
Caesars Sportsbook likewise has 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 commemorate late in the second half of an NBA basketball video game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
"It's been kind of a running theme for a couple of months now," Caesars pro basketball lead trader David Lieberman said.
They went from about 40-1 at Caesars to win the champion before the Doncic trade to now 10-1.
The Lakers stay Southern California's glamour group, however the Clippers might be dipping into a greater level. Bettors definitely are happening 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 believe the Clippers might come out of the West," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said. "Nobody's talking about them. ... however I think they could win everything, I really do. It's a terrific veteran mix. They're not too old. They have actually got guys who've been around and won titles."
The oft-injured Kawhi Leonard lastly appears like the player who won champions in San Antonio and Toronto.
"Personally, it does come to Kawhi's health," Egeland said. "Today, he's been fantastic, but history repeats itself frequently - Kawhi Leonard gets hurt and James Harden no-shows in some video games in the playoffs. There does seem to be a belief in (Leonard), however we'll see what occurs."
Boston might be headed into the playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, however the Celtics are preferred at both sportsbooks to make the NBA Finals.
The Celtics are attempting to end up being the NBA's first repeat champion considering that 2018 when Golden State won its 3rd title in four years.
They are +200 at BetMGM win the title, simply behind Oklahoma City at +185. The numbers are comparable at Caesars - +200 for the Celtics to +170 for the Thunder.
"Boston was playing quite well down the stretch," Marshall stated. "They ´ d probably be favored over (East top seed) Cleveland although they wouldn ´ t have home court."There will be lots of concentrate on Jaylen Brown. The MVP of in 2015's NBA Finals has actually received knee injections and hasn't played much over the previous month.
"On paper, I believe the Celtics have a pretty big edge (in the East) if they ´ re healthy," Lieberman stated. "But I seem like they most likely won ´ t be totally healthy."
A Golden State championship would be bad news for the sportsbooks after all the cash that has actually can be found in on the Warriors considering that they obtained Jimmy Butler. He helped stimulate a late-season run before the Warriors lost 3 of their last five regular-season games.
That required the Warriors into the Play-In Tournament, and they defeated Memphis 121-116 on Tuesday night to protect the seventh seed.
"I am a bit doubtful they can make a run all the way through the West," Lieberman said. "A great deal of their gamers are pretty old and it's difficult to see them making it through the onslaught. On talent alone, you have (Steph) Curry and Butler playing at a high level and the experience they have taking on younger teams in Houston and OKC (Oklahoma City). I will not count them out."
Top-seeded Oklahoma City is practically being neglected by the gamblers, but much of that involves the price point instead of the team youth and lack of experience playing in the playoffs.
The Thunder, led by MVP preferred Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are heavy favorites to a minimum of make the NBA Finals. Many gamblers are finding greater worth with other groups in what is a deep Western Conference.
"I don't believe that they're doubting the Thunder," Egeland said. "I think it's more that you do not desire to put a bet on a team with that except odds."
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) get taken a look at by the medics during 2nd half of an NBA basketball game versus theSacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, right, talks with former colleague, Washington Wizards' Marcus Smart, following an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III brings the ball up the court versus the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of an NBA play-in competition in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)