The Luka Doncic period is formally underway in Los Angeles, because the famed Hollywood signal even acknowledged his Lakers debut.
The five-time All-Star completed with 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a blowout win over the Utah Jazz on Monday.
Doncic performed 24 minutes, whereas just one Laker performed greater than half-hour in a recreation that was determined by the fourth quarter.
Whereas followers had been exploding with pleasure, go away it to sharp bettors to rain on the parade.
For his prop bets, they rightfully pounded Beneath 26.5 factors, 7.5 rebounds and seven.5 assists. In any case, Doncic had not performed in seven weeks after struggling a left calf pressure.
Proper earlier than tipoff, sideline reporter Mike Trudell shared that the Lakers would monitor Doncic’s minutes and ease into his workload. I had by no means felt dumber for betting Over a factors prop, pondering LeBron James would defer to his new operating mate and allow Doncic to mild it up.
Doncic made solely one in every of his seven 3-point makes an attempt, so there was a conceivable path to cashing the Over. Nonetheless, I used to be on the flawed facet.
Profitable is difficult sufficient, so I’m extraordinarily aggravated when my thought course of overlooks key angles.
Lakers vs. Jazz odds
| Group | Unfold | Moneyline | Whole |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakers | -8.5 (-114) | -375 | o235 (-110) |
| Jazz | +8.5 (-106) | +300 | u235 (-110) |
These similar two groups run it again on Wednesday, however this time in Salt Lake Metropolis.
The Lakers are 8.5-point favorites, and I’m laying it. Doncic apart, the roster is coming into full kind.
Sharpshooter Gabe Vincent lastly appears wholesome and the identical goes for Jarred Vanderbilt. Rui Hachimura additionally seems rather more settled.
In Monday’s loss, the Jazz had been embarrassingly lazy to unfastened balls and disjointed on offense. Lacking level guard Collin Sexton has proved rather more important than I initially anticipated.
Betting on the NBA?
Plus, the Lakers’ size is critical and the staff is taking part in rejuvenated basketball with Doncic’s arrival.
The Lakers have a skinny frontcourt, however Utah can not really exploit it with Isaiah Collier and Jordan Clarkson working the offense. Collier is younger and inept, whereas Clarkson is extra gunner than distributor.
I’m backing the Lakers to deal with their enterprise professionally and head into the All-Star break by smacking the Jazz after which internet hosting the lowly Hornets on Thursday.
The Lakers are 17-5 towards groups under .500 and are preventing for playoff seeding.
BET: Lakers -8.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Why Belief New York Put up Betting
Doug Kezirian is a New York Put up contributor who at present serves because the Chief Content material Officer for Solely Gamers, a sports activities betting media firm. Doug has over 20 years of expertise within the betting house, together with spending 11 years at ESPN as a number, columnist and betting analyst. He’s additionally the uncommon persona who has documented success – 14th place in 2023 Circa Million and Las Vegas SuperContest ($37K), two top-10 finishes in 2022 William Hill School Soccer Problem ($58K) and in addition grabbed headlines with a $297K win on the 2021 NFL Draft.
