LA Is Betting Central With Money On The Lakers And Clippers As The

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Lakers frequently attract big betting interest anyhow, however the questionable midseason trade that landed Luka Doncic from Dallas has individuals clearing their bank accounts to put money on Los Angeles.


And the cash, mainly sustained by casual gamblers, 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 pretty much all Lakers cash can be found in so far in the series," Egeland stated. "I think they opened -160 (favorites), and we've taken some larger bets on it. There's excitement around the Lakers for sure, however it's unexpected 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 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 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 sort of a running style for a few months now," Caesars pro basketball lead Lieberman said.


They went from about 40-1 at Caesars to win the championship before the Doncic trade to now 10-1.


The Lakers remain Southern California's glamour group, but the Clippers may be playing at 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 even though the Nuggets have home-court benefit.


"I truly think the Clippers could come out of the West," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said. "Nobody's speaking about them. ... however I think they could win everything, I actually do. It's an excellent 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 player who won champions in San Antonio and Toronto.


"Personally, it does come to Kawhi's health," Egeland stated. "Today, he's been great, but history repeats itself frequently - 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 takes place."


Boston may be headed into the playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, however the Celtics are favored at both sportsbooks to make the NBA Finals.


The Celtics are trying to become the NBA's very first repeat champion given that 2018 when Golden State won its 3rd 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 preferred over (East front runner) Cleveland although they wouldn ´ t have home court."There will be plenty of concentrate on Jaylen Brown. The MVP of in 2015's NBA Finals has gotten knee injections and hasn't played much over the past month.


"On paper, I think the Celtics have a quite big edge (in the East) if they ´ re healthy," Lieberman said. "But I seem like they most likely won ´ t be completely healthy."


A Golden State championship would be bad news for the sportsbooks after all the cash that has been available in on the Warriors since they acquired Jimmy Butler. He helped stimulate a late-season run before the Warriors lost 3 of their last 5 regular-season games.


That required the Warriors into the Play-In Tournament, and they beat Memphis 121-116 on Tuesday night to secure the seventh seed.


"I am a little bit hesitant they can make a run all the way through the West," Lieberman stated. "A great deal of their gamers are pretty old and it's difficult to see them enduring the gauntlet. On skill alone, you have (Steph) Curry and Butler dipping into a high level and the experience they have taking on younger groups in Houston and OKC (Oklahoma City). I will not count them out."


Top-seeded Oklahoma City is nearly being ignored by the wagerers, but much of that relates to the rate 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 a minimum of make the NBA Finals. Many bettors are discovering higher value with other groups in what is a deep Western Conference.


"I do not 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 short of chances."


Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) get taken a look at by the medics during second 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 very first half of an NBA play-in competition basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)