Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
Founded in 1947, the Los Angeles Lakers National Basketball Association franchise is one of the most successful teams in NBA history. The team claims 16 NBA championships, spanning from 1949 to 2010. Byron Scott is the head coach entering 2014, piloting the team in the Western Conference of the Pacific Division. California sports betting can usually depend on the Lakers as a top-tier team, but the last couple of years have been tough. Perennial All-Pro, MVP and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant has seen injuries limit his abilities the last couple of seasons. Still, the team claims an incredible 31 conference titles, 23 division championships and 8 individual Most Valuable Player awards. Home games take place in the Staples Center, which has a basketball seating capacity of 19,060. Naturally the Lakers are a popular component of California basketball betting. Other California NBA teams we follow in this guide include the LA Clippers, the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors basketball teams. We are in the process of adding coverage for college basketball teams in the state as well. You will see them added to the menu on the right as we expand our guide.
Top Sportsbooks Offering LA Lakers Betting Lines
The list below is comprised of the industry's leading online sportsbooks, each of which includes NBA betting lines that include the LA Lakers. You will find a host of wagering options that cover player and team props, as well as all games played by the team. Each of these sites has been reviewed by professional analysts to ensure the integrity, security and quality of the site. We have also listed their current welcome bonuses, but each of them usually has some type of NBA special promotion going on during the season.
| Sportsbook Name | New Players Promotion | USA Friendly? |
| Bovada Sports | 50% Match Bonus Up To $250 | Yes |
| BetOnline Sports | 25% Match Bonus Up To $1000 | Yes |
| Sportsbetting.ag | 25% Match Bonus Up To $1000 | Yes |
| Topbet Sportsbook | 50% Match Bonus Up To $250 | Yes |
| Bookmaker Sportsbook | 15% Match Bonus Up To $2500 | Yes |
The Los Angeles Lakers 2014 - 2015 Basketball Season
The Los Angeles Lakers are former shadows of their championship selves. Kobe Bryant is just a part of a hobbled and young Lakers team which has lost its first 5 games of the 2014 - 2015 season. The Lakers are not having problems scoring points. They average 102 points a game,11th best in the league. But the Lakers are also dead last defensively, surrendering 116.8 points per game. Last in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference as well, the Lakers are coming off a miserable 2013 - 2014 season where they posted a 27 - 55 record. Kobe Bryant is leading the team's offensive play, knocking down 27.6 points per game. Fifth-year center Jordan Hill is adding 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, as well as 14.8 points. But defensively the Lakers as an entire team have simply got to improve. Do not expect a playoff appearance in 2015 for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers – Showtime Arrives!
The NBA was suffering a downspell in attendance and popularity when a smiling 6'9" point guard arrived in Los Angeles. Chosen with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, Earvin "Magic" Johnson guided the Lakers to a 60 - 22 record in his rookie season. It took a while for Johnson's teammates to get used to his ability to pass the basketball without looking, but once they did, there was no stopping them. That Lakers team beat the Philadelphia 76ers in 6 games to win the 1980 NBA finals Championship, where Magic was crowned the Series Finals MVP. Johnson's fast placed style of play was nicknamed Showtime, and the Lakers enjoyed an incredibly successful run while the flashy Johnson was playing in LA.
Los Angeles Lakers Retired Numbers
The Lakers have retired the jerseys of 9 previous players and the microphone of 1 broadcaster. The memorable Chick Hearn was the voice of the Lakers from 1961 through 2002, and his mic was retired to commemorate his contribution. Wilt Chamberlain (13), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) and Shaquille O'Neal (34) were all centers that played for the Lakers and had their jerseys retired. James Worthy (42), Jamaal Wilkes (52) and Elgin Baylor (22) played forward and had their numbers retired as well. Guards Gail Goodrich (25), Jerry West (44) and Earvin Magic Johnson (32) also boast retired Los Angeles Lakers jerseys.
Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famers
California sports betting on the Lakers for several decades has meant wagering on the efforts of NBA Hall of Fame players. 20 players, 1 assistant coach, 4 head coaches and 2 other contributors have made it to the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Bob McAdoo, George Mikan, and Jerry West are just a few of the great Lakers players who have received the honor.
Lakers Who Have Won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award
As a singular achievement, the NBA MVP award is the pinnacle of recognition in professional basketball. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant have all won at least 1 MVP award, winning 8 between them.