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

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Lakers frequently bring in large wagering interest anyway, however the controversial midseason trade that landed Luka Doncic from Dallas has people emptying their savings account to put cash on Los Angeles.


And the cash, mostly fueled by casual bettors, is still coming.


BetMGM trading manager 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 practically all Lakers cash being available in up until now in the series," Egeland said. "I believe they opened -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 taken on the Lakers."


LeBron James and the Lakers now are -200 favorites at BetMGM to beat the Timberwolves.


Caesars Sportsbook also 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 celebrate late in the 2nd half of an NBA basketball 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 few months now," Caesars pro basketball lead trader David 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 team, however the Clippers might be dipping into a higher level. Bettors definitely are coming around 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 advantage.


"I actually believe the Clippers might come out of the West," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said. "Nobody's talking about them. ... but I believe they might win whatever, I really do. It's a fantastic veteran mix. They're not too old. They've got guys who have actually 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 concern Kawhi's health," Egeland stated. "Right now, he's been terrific, but history repeats itself regularly - 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 second seed in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, but the Celtics are preferred at both sportsbooks to make the NBA Finals.


The Celtics are attempting to become the NBA's first repeat champ since 2018 when Golden State won its 3rd title in four 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 probably 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 last year's NBA Finals has gotten 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 champion would be bad news for the sportsbooks after all the cash that has come in on the Warriors since they obtained Jimmy Butler. He assisted trigger a late-season run before the Warriors lost three of their final 5 regular-season video games.


That forced 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 said. "A lot of their players are quite old and it's difficult to see them enduring the onslaught. On skill 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 almost being neglected by the bettors, but much of that relates to the cost point rather than the team youth and lack of experience playing in the playoffs.


The Thunder, led by MVP preferred Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are heavy favorites to at least make the NBA Finals. Many gamblers are greater worth with other teams in what is a deep Western Conference.


"I don't believe that they're questioning the Thunder," Egeland stated. "I think it's more that you don't wish to put a bet on a group with that except chances."


Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) get looked 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 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 throughout the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball video game in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)