NBA betting news: gambler bets $20k on Nets to win 2022 NBA Finals

For other NBA betting news today, one gambler is wagering $20,000 on the Brooklyn Nets to win the 2022 NBA Finals. Per sources, the bet was placed at BetMGM. The bettor would make a profit of $48,000 if the Nets win their first NBA championship.

According to BetMGM oddsmakers, the Nets possess the league’s-best +200 odds of winning it all in the 2021-22 season. Ranking second, the Los Angeles Lakers have +400 odds of winning their 18th championship, followed by the Golden State Warriors (+900) and Milwaukee Bucks (+900).

Furthermore, while the Nets are the favorites, the Lakers have received the most bets to win another title. Regarding betting statistics, the handle, the total amount of money wagered by bettors, has shifted towards Brooklyn today.

Almost 42 percent of the handle is on the Nets to win, whereas 25 percent of the handle is on the Lakers. Not to mention, only 5.5 percent of the handle is on the reigning champs. The disrespect is real, but when all are healthy, there’s no denying that Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant are a deadly trio.

Hey, why not throw NBA into the NFL, CFB and MLB mix this time of year https://t.co/HljXXDUvCf

— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) September 10, 2021

Betting $10,0000 on the Lakers to miss the playoffs?

Betting $20,000 on the Nets might seem ridiculous to the casual reader. However, there’s more. One bettor is wagering $10,000 on the Lakers to miss the playoffs next season. Just why? With odds showing +1600, the bettor would win $160,000 if it comes true. On the flip side, the team has -5000 odds of making the playoffs next season.

Now, the Lakers did miss the playoffs in LeBron James’ first season with the team back in the 2018-19 season. They finished 37-45 (.451), ranking 10th overall in the Western Conference. Though, under the current circumstances, this bet is highly questionable. If two of the three members of the Big Three are forced to miss the remainder of the season due to significant injuries, the bet would make sense. Right now? Not so much.

On August 6, 2021, the Lakers traded Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to the Washington Wizards for Russell Westbrook and multiple second-round draft picks. On the same day, the organization also signed Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and Talen Horton-Tucker.

Then, they signed Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn and Wayne Ellington. Plus, the Lakers recently signed All-Stars Rajon Rondo and DeAndre Jordan. Both Howard and Rondo were important pieces—even if considered minor—during their 2019-20 championship season.