The 2021-22 NBA season is here.
Nevada currently doesn’t have a franchise, but that could potentially change in the coming years. Adam Silver, the League Commissioner, stated that if the NBA decides to expand in the future, Las Vegas will be taken into consideration.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas dwellers can expect to keep spotting more Los Angeles Lakers jerseys in sportsbooks than any other NBA team. Thanks to the short distance from Los Angeles, relocated inhabitants, Southern California weekend tourists, and countless preseason games held over the years, the Lakers’ purple and gold have established Las Vegas as their secondary home.
As the season begins, the Lakers have +375 odds to win the NBA Championship and bring it back to Los Angeles. The only team with better odds is the Brooklyn Nets, who have +250 odds to take home the championship, according to BetMGM.
According to the sportsbook, the Lakers are the favorites to win the Western Conference with odds of +170. In comparison, their season-opening rivals, the Golden State Warriors, are second favorite with futures odds of +425. Interestingly, the projected season win total for the Lakers is 52.5 (over +115/under -135), a figure only equaled by the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference.
Newly formed ‘360′ Lakers take aim at NBA title
During the offseason, the Lakers carried out numerous roster changes, each one making major news. As they step into the 2021-22 NBA season, Los Angeles introduces a new “Big 3” who have self-titled themselves as “360.”
This year, superstar point guard Russell Westbrook joins Lebron James and Anthony Davis. With a hope to reclaim the Larry O’Brien championship trophy for Los Angeles for the second time in three years, the trio is ready to make their mark.
The projected lineup for the season’s first game will evidently be spearheaded by the big three.
- Russell Westbrook
- Malik Monk
- Kent Bazemore
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
According to BetMGM Nevada, the Lakers are the favorites to win against the Golden State Warriors, their division rivals, by 3.5 points in a home game. They have a moneyline of -170. The over/under total is projected to be 228.5 for the season’s first game.
Player prop betting for Lakers-Warriors
BetMGM offers numerous player props for the Lakers versus the Warriors game. Highlights of some over/under options include:
- Lebron James: 24.5 points (favoring even, disfavoring -130); 6.5 rebounds (favoring -125, disfavoring -105)
- Anthony Davis: 24.5 points (over at -105, under at -125); 8.5 rebounds (over even, under at -130)
- Russell Westbrook’s statistics are projected as follows: 19.5 points with over at -120 and under at -110; 8.5 assists with over at -145 and under at +115.
James is the sole player from the Lakers Big 3 at BetMGM with over/under odds for points, rebounds, and assists. His assist total is currently at 6.5, with over at +120 and under at -155.
The Big 3, consisting of a Lakers player, are leading the way for an MVP win. James is currently positioned seventh to win the award this season with odds at +1400, while both Davis and Westbrook stand at +2500 odds to secure the regular-season MVP.
Lakers add depth in quest for NBA championship
The Lakers continued to bolster their team with additional talent, even after finalizing the new Big 3. They brought in several support players to strengthen the squad.
Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk are expected to enhance the Lakers’ shooting and defense skills. The team has also reacquired Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard and Rashon Rondo for Los Angeles.
The inclusion of seasoned players Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan could enhance the lineup’s depth, provided they stay fit. Anthony might potentially step in as a center if required, a position that is naturally suited for Jordan. He and Howard will be the sole genuine substitutes for Davis, but Lakers’ coach Frank Vogel will employ inventive strategies when rotating players off the bench.
The arrival of these new players will significantly compensate for the loss of Alex Caruso, Dennis Schröder, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Marc Gasol.
The Lakers’ bench players could potentially make a more significant contribution to their season than predicted. The renowned Lakers’ Big 3 are no longer in their prime. For instance, James is about to embark on his 19th season and Davis has shown a tendency towards injury in the past few years.
Westbrook’s reckless abandon style of play which fans adore, may however, expose him to potential injuries. Basketball-Reference reveals that only Michael Jordan surpasses Westbrook’s usage rate.
Unless the Big 3 of the Lakers suffer a multitude of injuries, they should be the standout team of the Western Conference.
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