Los Angeles Lakers Odds - Potentially dysfunctional Lakers are Championship favorites
The Los Angeles Lakers odds will once again be contingent on team chemistry. With the addition of Ron Artest and the egocentric Kobe Bryant at the heart of the team, there will be questions about whether all the personalities on this roster can coexist. Online betting fans know that this team is the most talented in the NBA and should win regardless of locker room squabbles.
Los Angeles Lakers odds: +250 to win NBA Championship
- A healthy Andrew Bynum could make this team unstoppable
- Lakers added Ron Artest in the offseason
- Head coach Phil Jackson is back for one more year
Los Angeles Lakers odds maker breakdown: STARTING FIVE
The Los Angeles Lakers is in the running for the best team in the NBA. If center Andrew Bynum is healthy, the Lakers will have the best front court with Bynum and Gasol. Ron Artest will start at small forward and Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher will lead the back court. Although Fisher may seem like the one weak link, he can still hit clutch shots and run the offenses, and he’s a bulldog defensively. This lineup is as good as it gets.
Los Angeles Lakers odds maker breakdown: BENCH
NBA betting fans were keeping a close eye on Lamar Odom to see if he would return, and the Lakers retained him, which means he’ll be one of the best sixth men in the NBA. Odom is a matchup nightmare and he’s a luxury off the bench. Most teams would gladly take him as a starter. Along with Odom, Jordan Farmar will come off the bench, and so will surprise playoff performer Shannon Brown. Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic are also in the mix.
Los Angeles Lakers odds maker breakdown: OFFENSE
It’s hard to find any issues with the Lakers offense. Last year, Bryant showed that he’s more than capable of passing the ball around, and when you’re passing it to Bynum and Gasol, good things typically happen. With the twin towers inside and Bryant and Artest on the wings, the Lakers won’t have any problems being one of the top scoring teams in the NBA. Their bench is loaded with guys like Farmar, Vujacic, Odom and Brown to come on in dry spells and give the team a boost.
Los Angeles Lakers odds maker breakdown: DEFENSE
The Lakers were a decent defensive team last year but they should get a boost this year with the addition of Artest. Artest is widely recognized as one of the best one-on-one defenders, and the Lakers acquired him with the goal in mind of stopping LeBron James. With Gasol and Bynum protecting the basket and Artest on the perimeter, the Lakers could be one of the better defensive teams in the league.
Los Angeles Lakers odds maker breakdown: COACHING
There’s not much that needs to be said here. The Lakers retained head coach Phil Jackson and convinced him to coach full-time, so all is straight on this end.
Los Angeles Lakers odds maker breakdown: SEASON OUTLOOK
Sportsbook odds makers know that the Lakers are the best team in the NBA, and likely the only team that can stop them is themselves. As long as Artest doesn’t blow up the locker room, this team will be back in the NBA Finals.
For more of the best sports betting articles on the internet and previews of all 30 NBA teams, check back with the betonline.com Betting Edge daily. Craig Parsons is betonline.com's college basketball expert.
