Bets Pouring in on Celtics and Lakers to Win the NBA Title

Gamblers are wagering big on the longtime rivals instead of the Golden State Warriors.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 23:  Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics scores on a layup in front of Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 108-107 Laker win at Staples Center on January 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 23: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics scores on a layup in front of Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 108-107 Laker win at Staples Center on January 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Getty Images

In the 1980s, the Celtics and Lakers playing each other for the championship was almost a foregone conclusion as one or both of the teams were in every NBA Finals of the decade.

It appears, much as they are in other facets of life, the ’80s are back in the NBA in a big way.

In sportsbooks across Las Vegas, gamblers are placing bets on Los Angeles and Boston to win the NBA title in droves. The Celtics are 5-1 while the Lakers are 12-1 to win the title.

The two-time defending world champion Golden State Warriors are heavily favored to win the title with odds of around -200, but they aren’t being bet on very heavily because of the low payout amount in the event that they win.

“After the Lakers and Celtics, there’s a very wide gap,” said Jeff Sherman, manager at the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas.

After the Celtics and Lakers, the Houston Rockets are a distant third in drawing bets.

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