LA Is Betting Central With Money On The Lakers And Clippers As The
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Lakers frequently attract big betting interest anyway, however the controversial midseason trade that Doncic from Dallas has people clearing their bank accounts to put money on Los Angeles.
And the cash, primarily sustained by casual bettors, is still coming.
BetMGM trading manager Halvor Egeland said 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 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 just how much we have actually taken on the Lakers."
LeBron James and the Lakers now are -200 favorites at BetMGM to beat the Timberwolves.
Caesars Sportsbook likewise has been struck 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 versus the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
"It's been sort of a running style for a few 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 remain Southern California's glamour team, but the Clippers may be dipping into a higher level. Bettors definitely are happening on them.
The Clippers went from underdogs to favorites at BetMGM and Caesars in their first-round series against Denver despite the fact that the Nuggets have home-court benefit.
"I really believe the Clippers might come out of the West," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said. "Nobody's talking about them. ... however I believe they could win everything, I actually do. It's an excellent veteran mix. They're not too old. They've got guys who have actually 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 concern Kawhi's health," Egeland said. "Right now, he's been great, but history repeats itself frequently - Kawhi Leonard gets hurt and James Harden no-shows in some video games in the playoffs. There does appear 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, but the Celtics are preferred at both sportsbooks to make the NBA Finals.
The Celtics are trying to become the NBA's very first repeat champ since 2018 when Golden State won its third title in 4 years.
They are +200 at BetMGM win the title, just 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 said. "They ´ d most likely be preferred over (East front runner) Cleveland despite the fact that they wouldn ´ t have home court."There will be a lot of concentrate on Jaylen Brown. The MVP of in 2015's NBA Finals has received knee injections and hasn't played much over the past month.
"On paper, I think the Celtics have a quite huge edge (in the East) if they ´ re healthy," Lieberman stated. "But I seem 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 been available in on the Warriors because they obtained Jimmy Butler. He helped stimulate a late-season run before the Warriors lost 3 of their last 5 regular-season games.
That forced the Warriors into the Play-In Tournament, and they defeated Memphis 121-116 on Tuesday night to secure the seventh seed.
"I am a bit skeptical they can make a run all the method through the West," Lieberman said. "A lot of their players are quite old and it's tough to see them surviving the gauntlet. On talent alone, you have (Steph) Curry and Butler dipping into a high level and the experience they have taking on younger teams in Houston and OKC (Oklahoma City). I won't count them out."
Top-seeded Oklahoma City is almost being overlooked by the bettors, but much of that has to do with the rate point rather than the team youth and inexperience 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 bettors are discovering higher worth with other teams in what is a deep Western Conference.
"I do not think that they're questioning the Thunder," Egeland stated. "I believe it's more that you don't wish to put a bet on a team with that except chances."
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 former teammate, 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 very first half of an NBA play-in competition basketball video game in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)