While the Brooklyn Nets are the favorite at U.S. betting sites, the betting public is much more interested in the new-look Los Angeles Lakers.
Caesars Sportsbook has placed more money on the Lakers winning the NBA championship than on any other team. The Lakers account for fifty-one percent of Caesars' title odds. This is four times the amount that was bet on Nets.
The Lakers' love has spread to all sportsbooks in the country, but despite the uneven action on L.A., and the uncertainty surrounding Nets point guard Kyrie, Irving, oddsmakers have maintained Brooklyn as the clear favorite for Tuesday night's season tip off. At Caesars Sportsbook, the Nets are +230 to win this title. The Lakers are at +400. The Milwaukee Bucks, the defending champion, host Tuesday's season opener against the Nets. They are +1,000.
Jeff Sherman, a Las Vegas veteran bookmaker, said that the Lakers are quite overwhelming in terms of money [bet]," and that he oversees NBA odds at the Westgate SuperBook. They're No. They are No.1 [in money bet], nearly four times as much as the next team."
The Lakers made major changes to superstars LeBron Jam and Anthony Davis. They added veteran Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and a host of other new faces to try and win a second title in three years. Sherman expected the Lakers would be aggressive in the offseason, so he opened them at +450 for the 2021-22 title. This was just a few days after their disappointing first round playoff exit. After Westbrook was acquired, the odds of the Lakers winning were as low as +350 in SuperBook.
Sherman stated, "That was when we saw our largest bet on them, which had been to win $100,000 at 7-2."
The Lakers will open the season against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. They are expected to be a contender in this season's NBA playoffs, according to oddsmakers. At +1,000, the Warriors have the fourth-best title odds in Caesars Sportsbook.
The Phoenix Suns are +1500 and the Utah Jazz are +1800, followed by Los Angeles Clippers (+1800) and Philadelphia 76ers (1,800).
Five teams share the title of the largest championship long shots to begin the season. Each team is +50,000: The Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks' guard, is the favourite to win regular season MVP. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets' rookie of the year at Caesars Sportsbook is the favorite.
Chances of winning the 2022 NBA Championship (via Caesars Sportsbook as of Tuesday)
Brooklyn Nets +230
Los Angeles Lakers +400
Milwaukee Bucks +800
Golden State Warriors +1,000
Phoenix Suns +1.500
Utah Jazz +1,500
LA Clippers +1 800
Philadelphia 76ers +1 800
Denver Nuggets +2,500
Miami Heat +2,500
Dallas Mavericks +3,000
Atlanta Hawks +4,000
Boston Celtics +5,000
Chicago Bulls +6,000
Portland Trail Blazers +6,000
New York Knicks +8,000
Memphis Grizzlies +10,000
New Orleans Pelicans +10,000
Indiana Pacers +10,000
Toronto Raptors +12,500
Charlotte Hornets +15,000
Washington Wizards +55,000
Sacramento Kings +25,000
San Antonio Spurs +25,000
Minnesota Timberwolves +30,000
Cleveland Cavaliers +50,000
Houston Rockets +50,000
Detroit Pistons +50,000
Orlando Magic +50,000
Oklahoma City Thunder +50,000
