The top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 1 of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic. Milwaukee is still -3334 to win the series at BetMGM, which means you have to bet $ 333.40 to win $ 10.
The Los Angeles Lakers, the top seed in the West, also lost Game 1. There is not much confidence in their handball.
The chances of the Lakers’ series fell to -182 after a loss of Game 1 to the Portland Trail Blazers, with the Blazers at +150. Portland was +340 for Game 1.
If you think the Lakers are just fine and starting to roll soon, that’s fair. Now would be your time to bet, because the betting market is not only optimistic.
Lakers no longer co-favorites to win it all
The Lakers and Bucks have been co-favorites to win the NBA title for a while this season, with the Los Angeles Clippers close behind. The Clippers and Lakers are flipped.
Since the loss of the Lakers’ Game 1, the Clippers have taken over as co-favorites with the Bucks. Both teams are +280 to win the NBA Championship at BetMGM. The Lakers are not that far behind at +350, so it’s not like the market has given up its chances. The Toronto Raptors are fourth at +850.
Toronto lost its first playoff game last year and won the championship. Losing one game should not mean too much to the Lakers as the Bucks. But both teams have shown some tricky signs in the bubble near Orlando. Both top seed obviously has no advantage of house-court. And the Lakers have a tough matchup.
Trail Blazers played well
Portland has been impressive lately. Damian Lillard is hotter than any player in the NBA. Jusuf Nurkic’s return from injury is massive for her interior offense and defense. The presence of CJ McCollum means teams can’t sell to make Lillard slower. This does not feel like a normal no. 8 sied.
The Lakers have problems with offense. Their efficiency has dropped since they got to the bubble. They can not pull a shot outside and are too familiar with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers are one hot shooting night away from anyone who remembers how good they can be, but the team they were on before mid-March has yet to be shown.
Of the eight series in the first round, the Lakers have the lowest odds of any favorite after one game. They are -182 and no other favorite is less than -358 to win their series at BetMGM. It’s very rare for a No. 8 seed to win a series in the NBA. But the odds indicate that there is a decent chance this year that it will happen.
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