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NBA betting: Lakers' title odds get worse despite 5-3 start

The Los Angeles Lakers are 5-3 and sit third in the Western Conference. And their NBA title odds have gotten worse.

The Lakers have gone from +450 before the season to +550 at BetMGM to win the NBA title. Los Angeles is still the No. 2 favorite behind the Brooklyn Nets and are the favorite to emerge from the Western Conference.

The drop in the Lakers’ odds is due to the issues the team is still working out with Russell Westbrook on the roster. LA has been terrible against the spread so far this season and even lost to the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder with both Westbrook and Anthony Davis healthy. The Lakers needed all three of Davis, Westbrook and LeBron James to survive a late buzzer-beater miss by the tanking Houston Rockets to win 119-117 on Tuesday night.

The Lakers’ best win this season is over the Memphis Grizzlies as the other four victories have come over the Spurs, Cavaliers and the Rockets twice. LA has lost to the Suns and Warriors to open the season in addition to the Thunder. Los Angeles is just 2-6 against the spread through the first 10% of the season.

Nets’ odds haven’t changed much

The Lakers’ odds have shifted more than the Brooklyn Nets’ odds have without Kyrie Irving on the roster. Irving is currently not playing or practicing as long as he’s not vaccinated against COVID-19, leaving the Nets without one of their three stars. And James Harden has struggled too. But Brooklyn is still at +250 to win the NBA title, up slightly from +225. Brooklyn has gotten over 18% of the money at BetMGM, the most of any team. Los Angeles is at No. 2 at just under 18%.

The Phoenix Suns are the only other team that’s gotten more than 10% of the cash bet on the NBA Finals winner. Phoenix’s odds have gone from +1400 to +1300 and the Suns have gotten 11.4% of the handle so far. Phoenix is currently 3-3.

NBA title odds (As of Nov. 3)

Brooklyn Nets (+250)

Los Angeles Lakers (+550)

Milwaukee Bucks (+750)

Golden State Warriors (+900)

Utah Jazz (+1200)

Phoenix Suns (+1300)

Los Angeles Clippers (+1600)

Miami Heat (+1800)

Philadelphia 76ers (+2000)

Denver Nuggets (+2500)