STAPLE GUNS
Lakers, Clippers top favorites to claim NBA crown Watch out for Celtics Knicks, Dubs Under-whelm
LAS VEGAS — No longer is LeBron James the NBA’s undisputed king. He might be the third-best player in the Staples Center arena the Lakers share with the Kawhi Leonard-led Clippers. There’s plenty of time to sort it all out in a season that stretches to the middle of June.
Finally, after five consecutive Finals appearances by the Golden State Warriors, there is no consensus title favorite and the race to the top is wide open.
At William Hill sportsbooks, the Lakers are 3/1 favorites to win the championship, followed by the Clippers (7/2), Bucks (11/2) and 76ers (7/1). The Lakers lead the futures odds only because the betting public is most fascinated by the duo of James and Anthony Davis. When the action tips Tuesday, Leonard and the Clippers will be running without Paul George, who will be out until at least mid-November after offseason shoulder surgery.
“When fully healthy, I have the Clippers highest from a power-ratings perspective,” said Jeff Sherman, the top NBA oddsmaker at the Westgate SuperBook. “The Clippers could be the best defensive team in the league.”
The Clippers’ season win total is set at 52½, two wins higher than the Lakers. Load management is the league’s new buzz phrase. With stars resting more often in preparation for the playoffs, no teams are going all-out to chase 70 wins. But when the playoffs start, regardless of seeding, the Clippers and Lakers will be the top threats in the West if their stars are full strength.
“You are going to get a focused LeBron, but the Clippers might have better supporting pieces,” William Hill sportsbook director Nick Bogdanovich said. “It’s going to come down to health, and which tandem stays healthy is probably going to do the best.
“I think it’s about pick ’em. It’s close. But in money and tickets, it’s the Lakers by a mile — three times as much as any other team.”
Finding value in NBA futures is not about picking the champion. Look at win totals and props for bets that can net more dollars and make more sense.
Win total best bets
Celtics (Over 50): Young and hungry teams take fewer days off. Brad Stevens will push his players harder than most other coaches. Stevens and the Celtics’ young stars — Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum — did not mesh well with Kyrie Irving last season. Irving is out, replaced by Kemba Walker, and this new-look team should be improved after finishing 49-33 and fourth in the East.
Bucks (Under 57): “Milwaukee has more important things to worry about than the East’s top seed,” VSiN host Jonathan Von Tobel said. “The Bucks were eliminated by Toronto last season, after Kawhi Leonard voluntarily missed 20 games. The regular season does not matter as much for a team with championship aspirations.”
Hawks (Under 34½) : “This is an intriguing, young team that will be a popular pick to crash the postseason party,” Von Tobel said. “However, the Hawks need to learn to play adequate defense before even sniffing the playoffs. Trae Young was the worst defensive point guard in the league as a rookie last season, according to some metrics, and Atlanta finished 27th in defensive efficiency. The Hawks’ expectations and win total are inflated.”
Knicks (Under 28): RJ Barrett is a promising rookie on a team with a lot of young talent, but the Knicks still are rebuilding. “I don’t like this Knicks team and I’m trying to find ways to bet against them, but I don’t know if there’s going to be any value with that in the marketplace,” VSiN contributor and professional bettor Erin Rynning said.
Playoff prop
Will the Warriors make the playoffs? (No, +250):
Kevin Durant bolted for Brooklyn, and Klay Thompson’s knee injury will sideline him until at least February. After three titles in the past five years, Golden State is about to get humbled. This prop is posted at the Westgate SuperBook.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if the Warriors missed the playoffs. I think that team is garbage,” Sherman said. “It’s so much on Stephen Curry’s shoulders until Thompson gets back. I don’t like their other pieces. Can you imagine how bad the Warriors could be if Curry misses some time?”
Rookie of the Year
Ja Morant (9/2): The Memphis point guard and No. 2 pick is a highlight waiting to happen. Top pick Zion Williamson of New Orleans will miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
“It could be Zion doesn’t have a chance to win Rookie of the Year because of time missed,” Sherman said.
Most Valuable Player
Anthony Davis (6/1): The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is the 3/1 favorite. “The Lakers are going to be really good, and I think they will be led by Davis,” Sherman said. “LeBron will defer to Davis as the first option. If Davis stays healthy, his numbers should be up there with anybody. I don’t like Giannis to repeat as MVP.”