Sports betting

NBA Betting—Lakers vs. Magic

by Kevin Taylor | June 4 2009

Last fall before the season began, the NBA odds at online sportsbooks showed a few clear favorites at the top of the NBA future odds list: the LA Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers were two of those teams. As the season progressed, both remained at the top of the list, with sports bettors pushing the Cavaliers higher after they started fast and continued to dominate through their schedule.

The LA Lakers—Cleveland Cavaliers was thought to be the dream matchup and it almost happened. The Lakers did their part by dispatching of the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Final, after a small scare.

The Cavaliers entered their Eastern Conference Final matchup with the Orlando Magic with series odds of -700… and the sports betting public still liked them and were laying the big juice. But Lebron James wasn't able to do it all alone, and his team was upset by the big underdog.

The dream matchup wasn't to be, as it set up a final between the flashy Lakers and the somewhat non-descript Magic.

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are the favorites in this series at online sportsbooks.

SPORTSBETTING.COM NBA Playoff Odds
LA Lakers —245
Orlando Magic +205

Here is the schedule for the NBA Finals series. Also here is the NBA Playoff TV Schedule:

Game 1: Thursday, June 4—Orlando at L.A.—9 PM ET on ABC
Game 2: Sunday, June 7—Orlando at L.A.—8 PM ET on ABC
Game 3: Tuesday, June 9—L.A. at Orlando—9 PM ET on ABC
Game 4: Thursday, June 11—L.A. at Orlando—9 PM ET on ABC
Game 5*: Sunday, June 14—L.A. at Orlando—8 PM ET on ABC
Game 6*: Tuesday, June 16—Orlando at L.A.—9 PM ET on ABC
Game 7*: Thursday, June 18—Orlando at L.A.—9 PM ET on ABC
* If Necessary

Looking to bet on the exact number of games the NBA Finals will be won in:
SPORTSBETTING.COM has those NBA props available:

4 Games Magic Win 25—1
5 Games Magic Win 12—1
6 Games Magic Win 7—1
7 Games Magic Win 13—2
4 Games Lakers Win 13—2
5 Games Lakers Win 4—1
7 Games Lakers Win 5—2
6 Games Lakers Win 7—4

The sports betting public at SPORTSBETTING.COM have been betting on the Lakers to win the series (71% overall), and also betting on the Lakers to win it all in six games is the most popular exact game option.

The NBA Finals starts Thursday night. Enjoy all the action.

Author: Kevin Taylor is a veteran sports handicapper and student of the sports betting world. He has written for several media outlets, focusing on sports, sports betting and online poker.