The Los Angeles Lakers’ championship odds have significantly improved following their acquisition of Luka Doncic despite their recent lackluster 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz. We visit Jojobet for the latest odds and find the Lakers’ chances of winning the 2025 NBA Finals have shortened from +4000 to +1400, making them the sixth-best favorite in the league. This dramatic improvement in odds reflects the high expectations surrounding the pairing of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, even as the team’s six-game winning streak ended.
Game Breakdown
In their recent matchup against the Utah Jazz, the Lakers struggled to contain Lauri Markkanen, who led the Jazz with 32 points and a season-high three steals. Jordan Clarkson and Keyonte George also made significant contributions for Utah, with 21 and 20 points, respectively. On the Lakers’ side, LeBron James had a relatively quiet night with 18 points, while Rui Hachimura scored 19. Luka Doncic, in one of his early appearances for the Lakers, added 16 points to the team’s effort. The game turned one-sided when Clarkson powered a 22-2 run with three straight layups, and Kessler capped it with a tip-in dunk to extend Utah’s lead to 96-71 with 3:06 left in the third quarter. The Lakers went a full five minutes with only a single basket until Hachimura’s 3-pointer started a string of five straight field goals for Los Angeles. Bronny James scored a career-high nine points in the fourth quarter, but the game was out of reach.
Recent Performance and Outlook
Despite this setback, the Lakers have been on an impressive run, going 10-2 over their last 12 games and 12-3 over their last 15 since having two games rescheduled due to wildfires in Los Angeles. This loss to the Jazz marks a rare stumble in the team’s otherwise successful stretch. The addition of Doncic has energized both the team and the oddsmakers. Before the trade, the Lakers were +4000 to win the NBA Finals and +2500 to win the Western Conference. Post-trade, their conference title odds jumped to +900 before settling at +850. This significant shift in odds underscores the potential impact of pairing Doncic with James.
Looking Ahead
As the Lakers aim to bounce back from this loss, they must focus on integrating Doncic more effectively into their system and addressing the defensive lapses in the game against Utah. With their next match scheduled against the Charlotte Hornets following the All-Star break, the Lakers have an opportunity to demonstrate the resilience and firepower that has bookmakers so optimistic about their championship prospects.
The dramatic improvement in the Lakers’ championship odds, coupled with their strong recent record, suggests that this loss to the Jazz may be just a minor setback in their pursuit of an NBA title. As the team adjusts to its new lineup, fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see if the Lakers can live up to the high expectations set by their improved odds.
