Bettor places crazy wager on exact NBA Finals matchup

As an avid NBA fan, I’m willing to admit that I’m going a little stir crazy during the All-Star break.

When you’re used to basketball being on every night, it’s a tough pill to swallow when there aren’t any games for several days in a row, especially after the abomination that was the All-Star Game this season.

However, I haven’t gone as crazy as one bettor, who placed a wager on the exact NBA Finals matchup to be…

The Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers?!

The bet was placed at +50000 odds, and the full payout for the wager would be over $250,000!

It’s great to think about a 2020 NBA Finals rematch in theory, but the chances of this happening (as evidenced by the odds) are extremely slim given where the Lakers and Heat are this season.

DraftKings promo code

If and wager $5 or more on any NBA game, you’ll get $150 in free bets if your team wins!

All you have to do is follow these easy steps:

• Verify your identity
• Deposit $5 or more
• Wager at least $5 on any NBA game

Miami Heat NBA championship odds

The Heat are currently +6000 to win the NBA Finals, and they hold the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break.

Miami has a shot to get into the top-6 and avoid the play-in tournament, as the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are both within striking distance for Jimmy Butler and company.

Still, the Heat have dealt with injuries to Butler, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo this season that have limited their ceiling. It’s possible the addition of Kevin Love in the buyout market will help, but Miami could be looking at a first-round matchup with the Boston Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks if it ends up in the play-in, which is less than ideal.

Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship odds

Vegas still has this number lower than it should be, probably because LeBron James deserves the respect in the market.

But at +4000, the Lakers are not a good bet right now, considering they are in the No. 13 spot in the West.

The Western Conference is loaded, and Los Angeles is just 3.5 games out of the No. 6 seed, but the play-in tournament may be the best-case scenario for James and company this season.

LeBron can do some crazy things come playoff time, but he’s going to need some more help from his supporting cast. James is still playing at an All-NBA level, but the Lakers’ lack of shooting (29th in the NBA in 3s made per game) has hurt them this season.

Maybe we get a rematch of the bubble NBA Finals, but this bettor is really going out on a limb with this long shot bet. I respect the conviction for such an unlikely Finals matchup.

—

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.