Kylian Mbappe & Lionel Messi take control leading Paris Saint – Germain to 4 – 3 victory vs. Lille

kylian_mbappe_and_lionel_messi_take_control_leading_paris_saint_germain_to_4_3_victory_vs_lille.On Sunday, February 19th, 2023 the Paris Saint – Germain football club was just several minutes away from losing a 4th– straight match when Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi victoriously came to the rescue of PSG in order to prevent a major crisis at the hands of the Qatari – backed football club of Lille.

The leaders of the French league managed to give away a 2 – goal advantage as they were eventually losing by only 1 – goal score with just 4 – minutes remaining in the match until Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi somehow happened to turn things around in order to transform a major debacle in the making into a 4 to 3 win for Paris Saint – Germain versus Lille last Sunday.

The Heroics of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi

As Paris Saint – Germain looked like they were heading very close to yet another hindrance, Mbappe pulled through with a late equalizer at the Parc des Princes. Then Messi struck home the deep winning strike from a free kick opportunity, with a deadly left – footed game – winning shot that found its way into the bottom right corner of the net.

Media Statement from the Head Coach of Paris Saint – Germain

“I will simply say that it’s a great relief,” the head coach of Paris Saint – Germain, Christophe Galtier, expressed.

The Standings of the French League

The elusive and hard – fought victory for Paris Saint – Germain came shortly after a 1 to 0 loss at home last week versus Bayern Munich during the Champions League match following a 3 to 1 loss to Monaco in the French league, as well as another defeat that they suffered vs. their bitter – tasting rival in Marseille via the French Cup.

Paris Saint – Germain held a 5 – point advantage over the 2nd – place Marseille in the standings, which should have kept all of the pressure on the leaders with a 3 to 2 victory at Toulouse in front of their match up next week at the Stade Velodrome in the biggest contest in all of French football.

The Match

After running just 1 – half an hour vs. Bayern Munich, following the return from a thigh injury, Mbappe was back in action against Galtier’s starting – line – up. Kylian’s overall impression throughout the match made up for Paris Saint – Germain’s defensive shortcomings as well as their lapses of total concentration.

Paris Saint – Germain’s 2 to 0 lead after only 17 – minutes of game action with goals by both Mbappe as well as Neymar allowed PSG to feel very comfortable, but the French champions then proceeded to concede 3 – goals asBafode Diakite, Jonathan David, and Jonathan Bamba all scored a goal shortly after that, and PSG lost Neymar to an injury on top of all of those goals from Lille. This definitely caused serious signs of nerves amongst the Paris Saint – Germain football club.

The host side was immediately under intense pressure as Tim Weah’s shot took a deflection and Gianluigi Donnarumma was obligated into an instinctual save in order to stop the football with nothing else but his feet to make the enormous save. Paris Saint – Germain’s defender, Presnel Kimpembe, then put Donnarumma in a tough spot when he headed the football back in towards the goal – keeper, only to set up David for a sweet one – on – one. The Lille forward then presented himself to be surprised by the accidental assisted attempt as his right – footed strike went nowhere near scoring in order to get past the Italian goalie.

Looking weak, Paris Saint – Germain trusted on Mbappe to lead the way to their victory. Set up by the Brazilian great in Neymar, the forward burst down to the left, and then he cut inside in order to come up face to face with Tiago Djaloand Diakite. Mbappe beat his way through Djalo on his way to forcing his way between the two, then he beat the goal – keeper, Lucas Chevalier, with a low shot that hit gold during the 11th – minute of game play.

Paris Saint – Germain managed to double their lead with a quick group – effort move which ignited and was concluded by Neymar, who put the ball into his opponents’ empty net. Although, Neymar was taken off of the field on a stretcher during the 2nd – half of the game following him twisting his right ankle.

Notwithstanding the comfortable cushion, Paris Saint – Germain was viewed as shaky and that they could not dominate the play of the match. The host team often found themself set back on their half of the pitch, and they did not hold onto the lead of the contest for very long after that.

Lille was compensated for their effort from a set piece during the 23rd – minute, with Diakite heading the football home into the net from a Andre Gomes’ cross following a corner – kick.

Things seemed to take a turn for the worse when Paris Saint – Germain’s Marco Verratti pulled Djalo’s uniform in the box that prompted the referee to signal a penalty which was protested from Paris Saint – Germain players, coaches, and staff. David took the penalty kick and calmly put Donnarumma in his place to level the score.

Bamba then placed Lille in control with a spectacular strike from a very tight angle into the top corner of the goal, leaving Mbappe shaking his head in complete skepticism.

Kylian refused to give up though, and Mbappe put Paris Saint – Germain back into the game when he connected on a back pass from Juan Bernat to stick the football in to the back of the goal prior to Messi delighting Paris Saint – Germain fans with his unbelievable free – kick.

Games Elsewhere

Elsewhere, goals coming from Aleksandr Golovin as well as Myron Boadu gave the 3rd – place Monaco a 2 to 1 victory at Brest and Lens also defeated Nantes 3 to 1 in order to remain in 4th – place and just 8 – points behind Paris Saint – Germain.

Lorient managed to beat Ajaccio 3 to 0. The forward of Rennes, Arnaud Kalimuendo, scored two – times in their 2 to 0 whipping of Clermont while Wahbi Khazri just so happened to score a late game – winner to lead Montpellier to a 1 to 0 victory at Troyes.

Kylian Mbappe’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Monaco

  • Ligue 1: 2016 – 2017
  • Coupe de la Ligue Runner – Up: 2016 – 2017

Paris Saint – Germain

  • Ligue 1: 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
  • Coupe de France: 2017 – 2018, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021; Runner – Up: 2018 – 2019
  • Coupe de la Ligue: 2017 – 2018, 2019 – 2020
  • Trophée des Champions: 2019, 2020
  • UEFA Champions League Runner – Up: 2019 – 2020

France U – 19

  • UEFA European Under – 19 Championship: 2016

France

  • FIFA World Cup: 2018, Runner – Up: 2022
  • UEFA Nations League: 2020 – 2021

Individual

  • UEFA European Under – 19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2018 – 2019, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2017, March 2018, August 2018, February 2019, February 2021, August 2021, February 2022, November / December 2022
  • UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2016 – 2017, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021
  • UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021 – 2022
  • FIFA FIFPro World11: 2018, 2019
  • Golden Boy: 2017
  • FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 2022
  • FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 2022
  • FIFA World Cup Young Player Award: 2018
  • FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018
  • Kopa Trophy: 2018
  • IFFHS Men’s World Team: 2018, 2021, 2022
  • IFFHS World’s Best Top Goal Scorer: 2022
  • French Player of the Year: 2018, 2019
  • UEFA Team of the Year: 2018
  • Ligue 1 Top Goal Scorer: 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
  • Ligue 1 Top assist provider: 2021 – 2022
  • Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year: 2021
  • Onze de Bronze: 2019
  • UEFA Nations League Finals Golden Boot: 2021

Orders

  • Knight of the Legion of Honor: 2018

Lionel Messi’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Barcelona

  • La Liga (10): 2004 – 2005, 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
  • Copa del Rey (7): 2008 – 2009, 2011 – 2012, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2020 – 2021
  • Supercopa de España (8): 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
  • UEFA Champions League: 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2010 – 2011, 2014 – 2015
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015

Paris Saint – Germain

  • Ligue 1: 2021 – 2022
  • Trophée des Champions: 2022

Argentina U – 20

  • FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005

Argentina U – 23

  • Summer Olympics: 2008

Argentina

  • FIFA World Cup: 2022
  • Copa América: 2021
  • CONMEBOL – UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022

Individual

  • Ballon d’Or / FIFA Ballon d’Or (7): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021
  • FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009
  • The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2019
  • European Golden Shoe (6): 2009 – 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
  • FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022
  • FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
  • FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011
  • FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005
  • FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005
  • Copa América Best Player: 2015, 2021
  • Copa América Top Goalscorer: 2021
  • La Liga Best Player (6): 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015
  • Pichichi Trophy (8): 2009 ? 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 ? 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 ? 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021
  • Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020
  • Argentine Footballer of the Year (14): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Sources:

The Associated Press News Services. “Mbappe, Messi inspire PSG to 4 – 3 win against Lille”. The Associated Press. Sunday, February 19, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. “Kylian Mbappé”. Football Reference. Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. “Lionel Messi”. Football Reference. Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

The post Kylian Mbappe & Lionel Messi take control leading Paris Saint – Germain to 4 – 3 victory vs. Lille appeared first on Casino News Daily.

The Industry Eye – Season 8 Episode 12

The post The Industry Eye – Season 8 Episode 12 appeared first on CalvinAyre.com.

Vinícius Júnior and Karim Benzema leading Real Madrid to success in Champions League

vinicius_junior_and_karim_benzema_leading_real_madrid_to_success_in_champions_leagueThroughout the heated competition in the European Champions League the young and explosive 22 – year – old, Vinícius Júnior, as well as the veteran pro striker in Karim Benzema are both demonstrating to be an amazing tag – team of attacking partners for the Real Madrid football club, teaming up to superior and excellent perfection in order to maintain the European champion continue to thrive.

The supreme duo of Benzema and Junior once again came up huge against Real Madrid’s amazing bounce back in the Champions League that commenced on last Tuesday, February 21st, 2023, as they managed to score 2 – goals apiece in the 5 to 2 come – back victory at Liverpool during the 1st – leg of the round of 16 of in the Champions League competition.

Both of them also added another assist to this season’s stat sheet as the Real Madrid football club came – from – behind back 2 – goals in order to take a dominant lead into the 2nd – leg at the legendary and historic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Major Combined Threat of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior

Vinícius and Benzema have each mutually combined to account for 17 – goals as well as 8 – assists for Real Madrid just this year alone. For the current season, the combined total amount of goals is 54, and they have come together to help out with 14 – assists.

They have been able to complemented each other extremely nicely on Real Madrid’s up – front portion of their offense as they are always finding ways to somehow find each other with fast and aggressive passes as well as their long through balls in order to set up prime scoring opportunities for each other and their teammates.

Vinícius makes his largest contributions mainly with his runs and slick footwork so that he can dazzle the crowd while devour the defenders that he passes. While the now 35 – year – old Benzema adds his well – know and experienced touches and accurate finishing strikes.

They played so well together last season too, when Benzema was awarded for being the best football player in the entire world. This season, it is Vinícius grabbing the bull by the horns as Real Madrid’s leading role in the offensive attack of his football club.

“Vinicius right now in my opinion is the most decisive player in world football, the man who can make the biggest difference,” the head coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed.

The head coach of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, seemed to have agreed that Vinícius is one of the very best players in the world right now, and he has this to say, “Benzema is not bad.”. The Liverpool coach also commended Rodrygo, the other forward for the Real Madrid forward who has quite effectively paired up with Vinícius and Benzema for a superior offensive threat for their opponents to deal with.

Karim Benzema’s Injuries

Benzema has recently blamed his injuries for the reason that he has not been able to play even than he has been over the course of the past year, but he is deemed to be better, and his match play consists of very impressive numbers from last season.

“I’ve not played much so far, but the important thing is that I’m contributing to the team with goals and assists,” the veteran striker of Real Madrid, Karim Benzema, explained. “I’m coming off the back of a season where I played a lot of games. I was injured after the World Cup and it’s difficult to reach the top level. But I’m feeling gradually better. Today I put in a good performance and I’m going to keep going.”

Vinícius Junior has been able to succeed despite the fact that he has had to deal with racist insults hurled from spectators as well as hate attacks from opposing supporters since the very start of this current season.

Junior has scored two – times during the 1st – half in order to bring the Real Madrid football club back into their come – from – behind victorious match win on last Tuesday, February 21st, 2023.

“Vini’s performance lifted us,” says the Real Madrid midfielder, Federico Valverde.

Karim Benzema’s goal scores came during the 2nd – half of Real Madrid’s last match on Tuesday, and their defender Éder Militão also scored for Real Madrid.

ANCELOTTI’S ADJUSTMENTS

Head coach Ancelotti stated that he had to make the necessary changes to Real Madrid’s formation following their slow and inadequate start to the contest, when Liverpool managed to get out in from of Real Madrid as they took advantage of Real Madrid’s vulnerability specifically on the left flank of the pitch.

I asked Luka (Modric) to press Fabinho, but that left us unguarded on the left side,” Ancelotti goes on to say. “In the second half I put Valverde there and we could fix it.”

The 2nd – leg versus the Liverpool football club is on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023.

2nd – place Real Madrid soccer team, which is behind their rival in Barcelona by only 8 – points at the moment, will now have to face off against another one of their bitter rivals in Atletico Madrid in the Spanish League on this Saturday, February 25th, 2023.

Karim Benzema’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Lyon

  • Ligue 1: 2004 – 2005, 2005 – 2006, 2006 – 2007, 2007 – 2008
  • Coupe de France: 2007 – 2008
  • Trophée des Champions: 2006, 2007

Real Madrid

  • La Liga: 2011 – 2012, 2016 – 2017, 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
  • Copa del Rey: 2010 – 2011, 2013 – 2014
  • Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017, 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA Champions League: 2013 – 2014, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022

France U – 17

  • UEFA European Under – 17 Championship: 2004

France

  • UEFA Nations League: 2020 – 2021
  • FIFA World Cup runner – up: 2022

Individual

  • Ballon d’Or: 2022
  • UEFA Men’s Player of the Year: 2021 – 2022
  • Golden Player Man Award: 2022
  • Onze d’Or: 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
  • French Player of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2021
  • UEFA Champions League Player of the Season: 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA Champions League top goal scorer: 2021 – 2022
  • La Liga Player of the Season: 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
  • La Liga Best Player (voted by Marca fans): 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
  • Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano: 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
  • Pichichi Trophy: 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA Champions League top assist provider: 2011 – 2012
  • UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2020 – 2021
  • UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021 – 2022
  • IFFHS Men’s World Team: 2022
  • Globe Soccer Awards Men’s Player of the Year: 2022
  • Bravo Award: 2008
  • Ligue 1 top scorer: 2007 – 2008
  • Coupe de France top scorer: 2007 – 2008
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: January 2008, April 2008
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2007 – 2008
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2007 – 2008
  • Golden Lion for the best Lyon sportsman: 2007, 2008
  • French Rookie of the Year: 2006
  • Étoile d’Or: 2007 – 2008
  • La Liga Team of the Season: 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA La Liga Team of the Season: 2019 – 2020
  • La Liga Player of the Month: October 2014, June 2020, March 2021, September 2021, April 2022
  • Supercopa de España top scorer: 2021 – 2022, 2022 – 2023
  • Real Madrid Player of the Season (voted by supporters): 2015 – 2016, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
  • Best French Player playing Abroad: 2019, 2021, 2022
  • AS Player of the Year: 2021
  • Kicker Player of the Season: 2022
  • Madrid Sports Press Association Award (APDM)
  • ESM Team of the Year: 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
  • L’Équipe’s Team of the Year: 2020, 2021, 2022
  • 2005 UEFA – CAF Meridian Cup top scorer
  • UEFA European Championship Bronze Boot: 2020
  • UEFA Nations League Finals Bronze Boot: 2021
  • UEFA Nations League Finals Goal of the Tournament: 2021
  • Member of Guinness World Records 2021: Player with the most consecutive seasons in the UEFA Champions League (qualified for and played in the competition without interruption since 2005)

Vinicius Junior’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Real Madrid

  • La Liga: 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
  • Supercopa de España: 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA Champions League: 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2022
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2018, 2022

Brazil U – 15

  • South American U – 15 Championship: 2015

Brazil U – 17

  • South American U – 17 Championship: 2017
  • BRICS U – 17 Football Cup: 2016

Individual

  • Copa São Paulo de Futbol Júnior Best Left – Winger: 2017
  • South American U – 17 Championship Best Player: 2017
  • La Liga Player of the Month: November 2021
  • UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021 – 2022
  • UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season: 2021 – 2022
  • La Liga Team of the Season: 2021 – 2022
  • FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2022

Sources:

Azzoni, Tales. “Young Vinícius, veteran Benzema make perfect duo for Madrid”. The Associated Press. Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. “Karim Benzema”. Football Reference. Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. “Vinícius Júnior”. Football Reference. Thursday, February 23, 2023.

The post Vinícius Júnior and Karim Benzema leading Real Madrid to success in Champions League appeared first on Casino News Daily.

Despite Blowout Loss, Draft Kings Leaves Brooklyn Nets at +650 To Miss Playoffs

The Brooklyn Nets were down 50 points to the Chicago Bulls at several points last night during their road game in the Windy City, and things have never looked so bleak. Ben Simmons was watching in street clothes again, Cam Thomas had lost his magic touch, and the resettled former members of the Suns looked lost. In Phoenix, Durant sat once again.

Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns debut owner Mat Ishbia trade
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia (left) and general manager James Jones (right) joins Kevin Durant (center) at the introductory press conference after the Brooklyn Nets traded Durant to the Suns. (Image: USA Today Sports)

His old team, the Nets were dreadful as they remained in fifth place in the Eastern Conference but had their lead over the New York Knicks cut to one game. The Miami Heat are lurking 2 1/2 games back in seventh place, which is play-in territory.

If the Nets somehow land down there, or 8th, 9th or 10th, they are a play-in team. And if they do not get out of the play-in tournament, they are not a playoff team. Thems the rules at the sportsbooks.

And that possibility — missing the playoffs — remained priced at +650 at Draft Kings on Saturday morning despite what happened Friday night. Brooklyn to miss the playoffs was +550 at BetRivers, and off the board at the other seven New York sportsbooks. Those odds were subject to change, but early risers had that opportunity in front of them as the sun came up to begin the weekend.

The Nets played the worst half in their history Friday night en route to one of their worst beatings in years against a Bulls team that had lost six straight. You are excused if you are a Nets fan who turned off the TV when it was 11-0.

How Bad Can Things Get For the Nets?

They have now lost three of four and five of seven, and next up is a road game Sunday at Atlanta before Hell Week commences: At home Tuesday for the Bucks, at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday to face the Knicks, then at Boston on Friday night on ESPN (unless Mickey Mouse comes to his senses and makes the Knicks-Heat the national TV game.) If we assume they go 0-4, which seems safe to assume after what we saw last night, they will be 34-29.

That is still well above .500, and right now the eighth-place team, the Hawks, is a .500 squad.

But dropping into the play-in bracket remains a real possibility, especially with the Nets having two games remaining against both Milwaukee and Cleveland, with  stretch of seven of eight games being played on the road beginning next Wednesday at MSG. That stretch will be  followed by home games against the Nuggets, Kings and two against the Cavs.

The Web site Five-Thirty-Eight gives the Nets an 85 percent chance of making the playoffs and a 0.3 chance of winning the title, which is a head-scratcher. Nothing is assured for any team finishing lower than sixth, and the Nets are highly capable of losing two consecutive play-in games.

A lot can happen over the course of the remaining 23 games. Beverley’s new team is on the outside looking in sitting 11th in the East (27-33), and 9th place Toronto (29-31) or 10th place Washington (28-31) could fall out. The Wizards’ odds of making the playoff were +210 Saturday morning, the Bulls were +450 and the Raptors were +145 as they headed into a noon game at Detroit. The Nets were listed at -1000 at both DraftKings and BetRivers to make the playoffs.

What Would It Take For Nets To Fall To Seventh or Eighth?

The Nets would win a tiebreaker with the Heat, currently seventh, and they are 1-0 against eighth-place Atlanta heading into Sunday’s game with two games remaining vs. the Hawks. So Miami would have to finish a game ahead, and the tiebreaker with Atlanta remains to be determined.

Five Thirty-eight predicts an 11-12 finish. The Nets have the seventh-toughest remaining strength of schedule, according to Tankathon. And frankly, 11-12 seems generous judging off what we saw last night.

Of their next 15 games, only two are against tanking teams Houston and Charlotte. We could definitely see 2-13 or 3-12. The Magic (twice), Pistons and Rockets are four of their final eight opponents, while Miami still has three games left against the Sixers, three against the Knicks and two against the Cavs. Atlanta has three with the Wizards and two each against the Heat and Celtics.

Remember, the play-in tournament has the No. 7 team hosting the No. 8 team with the winner getting in and the loser hosing the loser of the No. 9-10 game. Only then will the playoff field be set with eight teams. Momentum and a talent drain are working against the Nets. The odds are in their favor, but should they be? Seems like +650 is an enticing wager.

The post Despite Blowout Loss, Draft Kings Leaves Brooklyn Nets at +650 To Miss Playoffs appeared first on Casino.org.

LeBron To Win Championship As High As +5000 in New York

You can bet against him if you want. Heck, with Kevin Durant now on the Phoenix Suns — and with the Denver Nuggets getting a third straight MVP season from Nikola Jokic — you are hereby excused if you pick someone else to come out of the West and compete for the NBA championship.

California sports betting
LeBron James gestures on the court at a recent Los Angeles Lakers game.

But LeBron James is LeBron James. He does things no other player has ever done. He has four titles. And if you think his revamped Los Angeles Lakers team is wager-worthy when it comes to the possibility of winning a championship, the odds are in your favor with the Lakers currently sitting 13th in the West with 23 games remaining.

Here are the Lakers’ championship odds at the nine licensed New York sportsbooks:

  • DraftKings: +4000.
  • FanDuel: Off The Board
  • PointsBet: +5000
  • BetRivers: +3500.
  • WynnBet: +3000.
  • Resorts World Bet: +5000.
  • BetMGM: +4000.
  • Caesars: +3000.
  • BallyBet: Unavailable.

When James was asked over All-Star Weekend whether his Lakers can be dangerous if they reach the postseason, he didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve always been confident in any club that I’ve been on, once we got into the playoffs, that we can compete with anyone, and I feel no different now,” James told reporters. “With the roster, the way we’re shaped up right now, if we can finish off this regular season on the right foot, then we can compete versus anyone in the Western Conference, if not the whole league.”

Wager against him at your own peril, folks. He is 38-years-old, and is still averaging 30.0 points per game. The Lakers never trailed as they bested the Pelicans at home in their last game before the All-Star break, 120-102, marking their fourth wire-to-wire victory of the season. Los Angeles shot 53% from the field (44-83 FG), improving to 16-5 this season when shooting over 50%. James has won two Player of the Week awards this season, and he is lining up tonight alongside DeAngelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt, none of whom were members of the Lakers when this month began.

They are 5 1/2-point favorites tonight over a Golden State Warriors team that will be without Steph Curry, and they are just 3 1/2 games behind sixth-place Dallas, with 18 of their remaining 23 games to be played against teams from the West. All they need to do is finish in the Top 10 to make the Play-in Tournament, and they are +155 at DraftKings to make the final eight.

What Other Lakers Wagers Make Some Sense?

Well, we have to start by saying that each of the sportsbooks with championship lines posted has Durant’s new team with the lowest odds to win the West, ranging from +400 to +450. Denver is the consensus second choice at +600 to +800, and the Clippers third at +900 to +1100 after they added the bought-out Russell Westbrook.

“I think this playoffs is going to be the craziest playoff in a long time,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “I think there’s going to be upsets. I think there’s going to be literally a lot of teams that you could say make a strong case that they could win the NBA championship this year.”

“I feel very strongly about our ambitions to winning a championship,” Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks said during All-Star Weekend. “I’m grateful that I’m in the Western Conference now because they said it’s the best conference. It’s loaded with guys, loaded with talent. … “Of course, the Eastern Conference is competitive — I would have loved to stay there, too — but being in the Western Conference is the challenge I needed.”

The Mavs are priced from +1600 to +1700 to win the title. They get LeBron on national television Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, one of 12 nationally televised games the Lakers have remaining. One would think they have nobody with any shot of winning any individual awards. But for what it is worth, James is on the board at +10000 at PointsBet.com. If El Lay reels off four straight wins coming out of the break against the Warriors, Mavs, Grizzlies and Thunder, that number will drop. Remember, no player since Larry Bird in 1984, 1985, and 1986 has won three straight MVPs, and while Jokic is a legit leader, the season ain’t over yet.

At FanDuel, although the NBA championship market is down today, exact NBA Finals matchups are available. If you are buying the premise that LeBron can compete for a title, you can get Lakers to defeat Bucks at +29000 and Lakers to defeat Celtics at +23000, which can be hedged with Celtics to defeat Lakers at +10000 and Bucks to defeat Lakers at +10000.

At PointsBet, there are 225 possible NBA Finals matchups … and you do not have to predict the winner, just the two finalists. Phoenix vs. Boston is the +600 favorite, and Lakers possibilities include Celtics (+5000), Bucks (+7000), Sixers (+200000) and Cavs (+300000).

BetMGM has a similar “Name the Finalists” wager menu that includes Lakers-Celtics (+4000), Bucks-Lakers (+6600) and Heat-Lakers (+50000).

All of those bets are hugely speculative. But some folks like betting futures, and a lot of folks like betting LeBron. For those enamored of the Knicks, you can get +150000 at BetMGM.com or +100000 at PointsBet for a rematch of the 1970 and 1972 finals. Phil Jackson might be the only guy who likes that bet.

The post LeBron To Win Championship As High As +5000 in New York appeared first on Casino.org.