Los Angeles Lakers

Report: If you like the Lakers to win the title, you're far from alone

Published Oct. 26, 2015 4:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

We know, we know. You're probably reading that headline and scratching your head. The Los Angeles Lakers are going to win the 2015-16 NBA title? Who honestly thinks that?

When you introduce probability into the mix, apparently quite a few people. According to a report from ESPN.com, the Las Vegas Westgate SuperBook has seen more money bet on the Lakers to win this season's championship than on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers:

The NBA season tips off this week, and the betting action at the Westgate SuperBook is shaping up as expected. More money has been bet on the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA title than on the Cleveland Cavaliers. And the sharp money is backing the Sacramento Kings.

Coincidentally, analysts are calling for a record NBA season for Las Vegas sportsbooks' profits.

According to ESPN.com, the Cavaliers are 2-1 to win the title, the shortest odds on the board. The Lakers, on the other hand, are listed as 300-1 underdogs to win the championship.

The Lakers, though, are fifth in most money on the line to win the title -- clearly driven by the big-value odds and the tantalizing thought that rookie DeAngelo Russell, a returning-from-injury Kobe Bryant and the rest of the team could prove enough of a threat to scratch together an interesting season in the West.

Only the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls have had more money bet on them. The Warriors, Spurs and Clippers all have single-digit odds to win the championship.

The Lakers finished last season 21-61, last place in the Pacific Division.