Fansided

Lakers being bet on to win NBA title more than Cavaliers

By Ian O'Brien

Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and coach Byron Scott react during the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and coach Byron Scott react during the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers did not receive as many bets to win the NBA title as the Los Angeles Lakers. This is not a joke.

The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the worst teams in the NBA once again last season, and the Kobe Bryant era will be coming to a close very soon.

The Lakers only won 21 games last season and secured the second overall pick in the NBA Draft lottery. Yet somehow, they are a more popular pick to win the NBA title than the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won the Eastern Conference title before losing in the NBA Finals. The WestGate SuperBook revealed that the Lakers are the sixth-most popular pick to win the 2015-16 NBA title, according to USA Today.

ESPN reported on which teams were most popular to bet on, and the defending champion Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs were most frequently bet on. The Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls followed suit. This is sure to motivate Cavaliers superstar LeBron James more than anything, as he continues to be one of the most oft-criticized players in the NBA despite his incredible career.

The Cavaliers won their first two NBA Finals games in franchise history, despite missing All-Stars in point guard Kyrie Irving and power forward Kevin Love. Love is expected to return for the Cavaliers’ season opener, but Irving is expected be out until around January.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have 300-to-1 odds to win the title. This is for good reason since Bryant is well past his prime and struggling to stay healthy, and the rest of the Lakers roster consists of unproven commodities such as rookie point guard DeAngelo Russell and power forward Julius Randle.

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