Brooklyn Nets favored to win NBA title, but bettors backing the Los Angeles Lakers – ESPN

The Brooklyn Nets may be the consensus favorites at U.S. sportsbooks, but the betting public is significantly more invested in the new-look Los Angeles Lakers.

At Caesars Sportsbook, more money has been bet on the Lakers to win the NBA championship than has been bet on all the other teams combined. Fifty-one percent of the dollars bet on Caesars' title odds is on the Lakers. That's four times as much as has been bet on the Nets.

The Lakers love has spread to sportsbooks across the nation, yet despite the lopsided action on L.A. and the uncertainty surrounding Nets point guard Kyrie Irving, oddsmakers have kept Brooklyn as the clear-cut favorite entering Tuesday night's season tip-off. The Nets are +230 to win the title at Caesars Sportsbook, followed by the Lakers at +400. The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, who host the Nets in Tuesday night's season opener, are +1,000.

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"As far as money [bet], the Lakers are pretty overwhelming," Jeff Sherman, a veteran Las Vegas bookmaker who oversees NBA odds for the Westgate SuperBook, told ESPN. "They're No. 1, far and away [in money bet], almost four times more than the next team."

The Lakers made wholesale changes around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, adding veterans Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, among a plethora of new faces, to go after a second title in three seasons. Sherman expected the Lakers to be aggressive in the offseason and opened them at +450 to win 2021-22 title, shortly after their disappointing first-round playoff exit. The Lakers' odds improved to as short as +350 at the SuperBook after acquiring Westbrook.

"That's when we saw our largest wager on them, which was to win $100,000 at 7-2," Sherman said.

The Lakers open the season Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors, who oddsmakers expect to be a contender this season. The Warriors, at +1,000, have the fourth-best title odds at Caesars Sportsbook.

The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz are +1,500, followed by the Los Angeles Clippers (+1,800) and Philadelphia 76ers (+1,800).

Five teams share the honor as the biggest championship long shots to start the season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets are Cleveland Cavaliers are each +50,000.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is the favorite to win regular-season MVP, and Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year at Caesars Sportsbook.

Odds to win 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 +15,000

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

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Brooklyn Nets favored to win NBA title, but bettors backing the Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN