LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Lakers frequently bring in large wagering interest anyhow, but the controversial midseason trade that landed Luka Doncic from Dallas has people emptying their checking account to put cash on Los Angeles.
And the cash, mostly sustained by casual bettors, is still coming.
BetMGM trading supervisor Halvor Egeland stated 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 pretty much all Lakers money being available in so far in the series," Egeland said. "I believe they opened up -160 (favorites), and we've taken some larger bets on it. There's enjoyment around the Lakers for sure, but it's unexpected how much we've handled the Lakers."
LeBron James and the Lakers now are -200 favorites at BetMGM to beat the Timberwolves.
Caesars Sportsbook also has been struck hard with bets on the Lakers, who are drawing strong cash 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 2nd half of an NBA basketball video game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
"It's been type of a running style 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 remain Southern California's glamour group, however the Clippers might be playing at a higher level. Bettors certainly are coming around on them.
The Clippers went from underdogs to favorites at BetMGM and Caesars in their first-round series against Denver although the Nuggets have home-court advantage.
"I actually believe the Clippers could come out of the West," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated. "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 pertain to Kawhi's health," . "Right now, he's been terrific, however 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), but we'll see what happens."
Boston may 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 end up being the NBA's first repeat champion given that 2018 when Golden State won its 3rd 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 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 gotten knee injections and hasn't played much over the past month.
"On paper, I believe the Celtics have a quite big edge (in the East) if they ´ re healthy," Lieberman stated. "But I feel like they most likely won ´ t be completely healthy."
A Golden State champion would be bad news for the sportsbooks after all the money that has come in on the Warriors considering that they got Jimmy Butler. He helped stimulate a late-season run before the Warriors lost three of their final five regular-season video games.
That required 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 doubtful they can make a run all the way through the West," Lieberman stated. "A lot of their players are pretty old and it's tough to see them making it through the gauntlet. On talent alone, you have (Steph) Curry and Butler playing at a high level and the experience they have taking on more youthful groups in Houston and OKC (Oklahoma City). I will not count them out."
Top-seeded Oklahoma City is nearly being neglected by the bettors, however much of that relates to the cost point instead of the group youth and inexperience playing in the playoffs.
The Thunder, led by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are heavy favorites to at least make the NBA Finals. Many bettors are discovering greater value with other teams in what is a deep Western Conference.
"I don't believe that they're questioning the Thunder," Egeland stated. "I believe it's more that you don't desire to put a bet on a group with that brief of chances."
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) get looked 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 video 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 first half of an NBA play-in competition basketball video game in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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