The first of 7 Western Conference teams to be represented here. According to their NBA championship betting odds the number 2 team to watch this season are the Lakers, so let’s take a look at the LA Lakers odds.
LA LAKERS
Western Conference. (NBA odds = 5.00, NBA Western Conference odds = 3.10)
After finishing 7th in The Western Conference last season and 9th overall in the NBA (the second-lowest position of any team here) we have to say we’re a little surprised to see the LA Lakers sitting so high at number 2 on this list according to their LA Lakers odds for the NBA. Let’s see if their numbers back that up.
Team stats
Last season the LA Lakers topped the stats in only 1 category.
Joint 1st for least number of points conceded per game (107).
That is certainly a significant category to dominate and one that any team would love to be able to emulate. Having said that, when looking at these numbers it becomes less and less clear what else the market sees to make the LA Lakers odds make them 2nd favourites for the NBA title.
They bottom out the list in quite a few key stats.
Last in terms of most points scored per game (11)
Joint lowest 3-pointers scored (11).
Joint lowest 3-point percentage (35%).
Worst free-throw success rate (74%)
Joint lowest offensive rebounds claimed (8).
AT A GLANCE
Better than their opponents in:
PTS, FG, FG%, 2PA, 2P, 2P%, FTA, TRB, DRB, PF*
Worse than their opponents in:
3PA, FT%, ORB,
Level with their opponents in:
FGA, 3P, 3P%, TOV, AST, STL, BLK
DRAFT PICKS
The LA Lakers did not have a single pick in the top 60 of this year’s Draft. Despite that, the LA Lakers odds are still low to win the title.
Existing players
No preview of the LA Lakers could ever be complete without mention of the legendary, talismanic colossus:
LeBron James (13.00 MVP odds) #23 shooting guard/small forward
Again troubling the MVP betting even at the age of 36 is the machine that is LeBron James. If he were to win he would become the oldest ever MVP in NBA history. While that is probably unlikely to happen, his influence and power over the LA Lakers cannot be over-stated.
Right here is why the LA Lakers odds of 5.00 for this season are spot on. We take our hats off.
WILL THE LAKERS MAKE A SPLASH?
Whilst the NBA Championship betting odds the LA Lakers have been assigned do seem extremely short, they clearly still have a chance to impress this season.
If the Lakers can continue to keep their opponents to a low score but manage to up their own scoring then they will be a difficult proposition for any team to face.
Until that time we think the market is a little over-optimistic about their chances and do not expect them to win The Western Conference, let alone the NBA itself. We’re happy to be proven wrong.
Watch this space.
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Rookie of the year 2021/22 season, tips and analysis
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*Glossary
G = games
MP = minutes played
FGA = field goals attempted
FG = field goals
FG% = field goal percentage
2PA = 2-pointers attempted
2P = 2-pointers
2P% = 2-pointer percentage
3PA = 3-pointers attempted
3P = 3-pointers
3P% = 3-pointer percentage
FTA = free-throws attempted
FT% = free-throw percentage
TRB = total rebounds
ORB = offensive rebounds
DRB = defensive rebounds
TOV = turnovers
AST = assists
STL = steals
BLK = blocks
PF = player fouls
PTS = points
