Los Angeles Lakers NBA Team Betting Preview – 2020 Restart Season

With 16 world championships, 31 conference titles and a history of superstar players the Lakers are a worldwide brand.  Only the Boston Celtics can rival Los Angeles for NBA historic context.  Consider that the NBA logo was designed and based on Lakers Hall of Famer Jerry West.  Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley are hallowed names of Laker glory.  LeBron James is the latest Laker to man its sparkling marquee.  Fashion that the Lakers are the biggest name brand with the NBA betting odds.  Few teams in all of sports command such a mark.

2020 Los Angeles Lakers

Odds to win NBA Championship:  +240

Odds to win Western Conference:  +160   

Record at Time of COVID-19 Suspension:  49-14 straight up, 35-27-1 against the spread, 30-33 under the total

Metric Rankings:  7^th for scoring offense, 1^st for field goal percentage, 17^th for three-point field goal percentage, 28^th for free throw percentage, 8^th for offensive rebounds, 3^rd for points allowed, 6^th for field goal percentage allowed, 4^th for three-point percentage allowed, 3^rd for defensive rebounds

Standing:   1^st place in Western Conference, 5.5 games ahead

2020 NBA Restart Schedule  

Thursday, July 30, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN:  Los Angeles Clippers

Saturday, August 1, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN:  Toronto Raptors

Monday, August 3, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN:  Utah Jazz

Wednesday, August 5, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN:  Oklahoma City Thunder

Thursday, August 6, 9 p.m. ET, TNT:  Houston Rockets

Saturday, August 8, 6 p.m. ET, TNT:  Indiana Pacers

Monday, August 10, 9 p.m. ET, TNT:  Denver Nuggets

Thursday, August 13, TBD:  Sacramento Kings

2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers Season Review

Only Milwaukee has a better record than the Lakers as play resumes.  Take the case of LA dominating the Bucks 113-103 for an easy online wagering payout.  It was the biggest NBA regular-season game played before the COVID-19 stoppage.  And a major reason for gamblers betting down any value on Los Angeles.

Traditionally the Lakers have been a poor wagering value.  Cause of their immense popularity.  Such public adoration consistently makes Los Angeles an expensive board overlay.  However, this year LA is in the black even with perpetual idolization.  Most years in which the Lake Show wins they end up with red ink against the spread.

The big difference is that power forward Anthony Davis has taken the burden off LeBron James.  Namely, it was the lack of a sidekick for James that doomed the Lakers last year.

Head Coach Frank Vogel

First-year Lakers coach Frank Vogel has made a significant impact as well.  While with the Pacers Vogel earned his strong coaching reputation.  Vogel is the all-time leader in Pacers history for games won as a coach.  He led Indiana to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014.  Extending his stroke is a vastly improved LA back end.  One year ago, the defense was something that the Lakers skipped altogether.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Players

On the whole LeBron James is a brand within a brand.  James is a three-time NBA champion, 16-time All-Star, and four-time Most Valuable Player.  He has two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA.  Among many other accomplishments.  Further, he completely transformed two franchises with the NBA odds.  Cleveland won its first championship in any sport since 1964 when James led them to the 2016 NBA title. In turn, James led the Miami Heat to two NBA championships.  James is averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 10.6 assists this season.

In like manner, Anthony Davis leads the Lakers with 26.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.  Davis is a seven-time NBA All-Star that arrived last year from New Orleans.

Los Angeles Lakers Restart Betting Outlook

Overall, the biggest concern for the Lakers is rust.  Los Angeles was at peak production when play stopped.  Of course, every team faces that same challenge.  It follows that the oddsmakers will be charging full retail on LA.  Gamblers may want to exercise caution, at least early on.