The Los Angeles Lakers were first in the Western Conference with a record of 49-14 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Lakers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. later this summer.
Los Angeles Lakers season recap
With the addition of PF Anthony Davis, the Lakers had become the best team in the Western Conference before play was suspended. The Lakers held a 5.5 game lead over the No. 2 ranked Los Angeles Clippers and it seemed inevitable they would wind up with the top seed in the conference.
The Lakers were on a bit of a run before the season stoped, winning 12 of their previous 14 games. That included wins over the Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks, who held the best record in the NBA.
What makes this Lakers team so unique is their overwhelming size and efficiency. Before the season was suspended, they were No. 1 in field-goal percentage and blocks. They were also an above-average rebounding team and defended the rim well with one of Davis, JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard always on the floor.
What makes this team so dangerous is how well James was playing over the last few weeks. In his last 10 games of the 2019-2020 season, James was averaging 30.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game. LeBron was making a real run at the MVP award and Davis wasn’t far behind. You can make a strong case that before the season ended, James and Davis were two of the best five players from the 2019-2020 season.
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Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship odds
Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 12, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The Lakers (+250) are currently the favorites to win the NBA Championship in Orlando and it’s not hard to see why. With two of the best players in the NBA in James and Davis, it’s tough to see anyone beating them in a seven-game series.
It also doesn’t hurt that the Lakers have had recent success against the likes of the Clippers and Bucks, beating them both in the last week of the NBA season. That should give you confidence in them taking home the 2019-2020 title, especially at +250 odds.
Los Angeles Lakers Western Conference odds
If you aren’t quite convinced the Lakers can beat the Bucks or whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference, consider betting on them to win the Western Conference (+125). The Lakers will have to work their way through a tough conference, likely playing teams such as the Clippers, Houston Rockets and/or Denver Nuggets to reach the NBA Finals.
However, the Lakers’ success in the regular season combined with the playoff experience of players like James, Danny Green and Rajon Rondo make LA a good bet to come out of the West, even with the somewhat chalky odds.
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