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

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Lakers often bring in big betting interest anyway, but the questionable midseason trade that landed Luka Doncic from Dallas has people clearing their checking account to put money on Los Angeles.


And the cash, mostly sustained by casual gamblers, 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 cash can be found in so far in the series," Egeland said. "I think they opened -160 (favorites), and we have actually taken some larger bets on it. There's enjoyment around the Lakers for sure, but 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 also 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 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 theme 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 stay Southern California's glamour team, but the Clippers may be dipping into a greater level. Bettors definitely are occurring 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 speaking about them. ... but I think they could win whatever, I truly do. It's a great veteran mix. They're not too old. They have actually got guys who have actually been around and won titles."


The oft-injured Kawhi Leonard lastly 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 excellent, however history repeats itself regularly - 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 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, but the Celtics are favored at both sportsbooks to make the NBA Finals.


The Celtics are to end up being the NBA's first repeat champ because 2018 when Golden State won its third 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 favored over (East leading seed) Cleveland although they wouldn ´ t have home court."There will be plenty of focus 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 feel like they probably 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 since they acquired Jimmy Butler. He helped trigger 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 beat Memphis 121-116 on Tuesday night to protect the seventh seed.


"I am a little bit doubtful they can make a run all the way through the West," Lieberman said. "A great deal of their gamers are quite old and it's tough to see them making it through the onslaught. On talent alone, you have (Steph) Curry and Butler dipping into a high level and the experience they have taking on more youthful 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 involves the rate point rather than 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 gamblers are discovering greater worth with other teams in what is a deep Western Conference.


"I don't think that they're doubting the Thunder," Egeland said. "I think it's more that you do not wish to place a bet on a group with that short of chances."


Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) get taken a look at by the medics during 2nd half of an NBA basketball video game against 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 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)