Public likes Lakers’ odds for playoffs
L.A.’S failure to get George not turning wagerers’ thinking
Lavar Ball has plenty of company in believing the Lakers will make the NBA playoffs next season.
Despite the odds getting longer on Los Angeles to reach the 2017-18 postseason after it failed to acquire All-star Paul George — who the Indiana Pacers traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder — bettors have continued to back the Lakers at the Westgate sports book.
The odds are minus-1,600 against Los Angeles making the playoffs after it opened at minus-700.
“We doubled the price on the Lakers just because they didn’t get George. They needed someone like him as strong as the West is,” Westgate sports book manager Jeff Sherman said. “We adjusted it to 20-1 (against) and they kept betting them. Out of all the props, the one getting the most support is on the Lakers to make the playoffs.”
The odds are 9-1 that rookie point guard Lonzo Ball will help lead Los Angeles to its first playoff appearance in five years. For the record, there haven’t been any Lavar Ball sightings at the Westgate.
“Maybe it’s his friends, I don’t know,” Sherman said jokingly.
Timberwolves win offseason
Minnesota is a minus-1,000 favorite to make the playoffs after opening at minus-260. The Timberwolves acquired All-star Jimmy Butler from the Bulls on draft night and have since added former Chicago big man Taj Gibson alongside Karl-anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
Sherman said Minnesota has improved more than any other team this offseason and thus has ascended to the 20-1 fifth choice to win the Western Conference.
Horn takes books off hook
Social media was in collective shock Saturday night when judges in Australia awarded native son Jeff Horn a controversial unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao. Bettors at the Wynn, which took multiple six-figure wagers on Pacquiao, also were stunned.
Pacquiao closed as a 7-1 favorite at the Wynn and Horn was a 5-1 underdog. Thanks to the surprising decision, the Wynn and the Westgate sports books won on the fight.
“We did well pretty well on the fight because we had some bets on