The Western Conference is as competitive as ever in 2024-25. Eleven of its 15 teams are at least .500 as December approaches its midpoint. Young teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies are ascending toward the top while older squads loaded with seasoned veterans seem poised to fall by the wayside after being mainstays in the postseason for years on end. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the franchises that could struggle to make it out of the play-in tournament and their odds to miss the playoffs are currently -120 at BetMGM. Let’s take a look at whether turning things around is realistic.
The Lakers are eighth in the Western Conference with a 13-11 record. While they’re only half a game back from the sixth spot, they’re likely only better than one team ahead of them in the standings right now. The Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers appear to be in reach without their two-way superstar, but can hang their hats on elite defense schemes while they await his return. Three time MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets are trailing them, but the Lakers will still have to outlast a host of hungry teams beneath them while playing catch up.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (12-11) are figuring things out after a deep run to the Western Conference Finals last year. There’s the Phoenix Suns (12-11), who are 66-33 with Kevin Durant all time and 11-2 with him this season. The up-and-coming San Antonio Spurs (12-12) and ambitious Sacramento Kings (12-13) aren’t far behind. All the aforementioned teams have more youth and depth than the Lakers.
Anthony Davis (31) is still in his prime, but depending on 39-year-old LeBron James as the team’s top assist man, second-leading scorer, and second-leading rebounder doesn’t seem conducive to success for the Lakers in a long-season. That makes betting on them to make the postseason seem like a bit of a reach at this point.
My best bets: Lakers to miss the playoffs (-120, BetMGM) and Lakers Over 43.5 wins (-125, BetMGM).
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