Lakers-Celtics Meet Again

The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites to win the championship in Las Vegas but the Boston Celtics are close behind. While some thought the Boston-L.A. finals rematch would happen this past June, it never did, and now the past two NBA champions are neck-and-neck in the offseason. The Lakers are early favorites to repeat with 8-5 odds, according to the L.A. Times, and the Celtics are close behind with 3-1 odds at MGM/Mirage.

Both the Celtics and the Lakers have made major acquisitions during the offseason: L.A. signed Ron Artest and Boston inked a deal with Rasheed Wallace. Both Artest and Wallace are known for being unpredictable players but oddsmakers still think both teams will fare well next season. The Lakers still may lose Lamar Odom to free agency, but the oddsmakers still aren’t worried about the team. Said executive director of the Las Vegas Hiltno’s Race and Sports book Jay Kornegay to the Times, “We didn’t change anything when they got Artest, and if they lose Odom it’ll just be a wash. Odom’s a component, but he’s not a star. As that team has already shown, if they lose someone, they’ll find someone else.” The Lakers are 2-1 favorites and the Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-1, with the Celtics behind at 5-1, at Hilton’s Race and Sports book.

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