Brooklyn Nets emerge as favorites to win the 2020-21 Championship after LeBron James’ injury

Brooklyn Nets emerge as favorites to win the 2020-21 Championship after LeBron James’ injury

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving

There are parallel stories running in the NBA at the moment. On one side there is the Brooklyn Nets who have won 15 out of their 17 games even though they did not have their marquee player Kevin Durant. While he is expected to miss for a handful of weeks more, the Nets show no signs of slowing down. 

On the other hand, there is the LA Lakers, who have lost LeBron James due to an ankle injury which he suffered against Atlanta Hawks. With Anthony Davis already out due to a calf strain and tendinosis in his right leg for over a month and is expected to miss at least another week. The Lakers are only 5 wins over the 8th seeded Dallas Mavericks. 

LeBron James’ injury makes Brooklyn Nets favorites to lift the 2020-21 Championship 

“You’re going to see the Lakers as a large underdog on the road and a small underdog at home,” Jeff Sherman, vice president of risk at the SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas, said. “You take those two guys [James and Davis] off the team and it’s going to be a fight for a playoff spot.” 

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Other sportsbooks were being more cautious with the Lakers’ odds in anticipation of James and Davis returning for the playoffs. In New Jersey, at Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, the Lakers remained the title favorites at +260, slightly ahead of the Nets at +280. 

“I’ve nudged the Lakers’ odds up a little and lowered some of the other Western Conference teams,” Adam Pullen, assistant director of trading for William Hill, told ESPN. “But can’t go too crazy as [James] has got plenty of time to get healthy before the playoffs, if he needs it. If it comes out that that injury is a lot worse, then we’ll have to make some major adjustments.” 

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