Lakers’ 2019-20 Win Total Opens at 52.5; Should You Bet the Over or Under?

• The Los Angeles Lakers were just 37-45 last season
• The Lakers acquired Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and Danny Green in the offseason
• The Lakers 2019-20 regular season win total is set at 52.5 games

The Los Angeles Lakers missed out on Kawhi Leonard and as a result, saw their odds to win the NBA Championship tumble a little bit. Even so, there are high expectations for this team in the 2019-20 season. Sportsbooks have posted their regular season win total at 52.5 games. Should bettors go over or under that number?

2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers Regular Season Win Total

*Odds from 06/07/19

Lakers Moved Swiftly to Fill Out Roster

The Lakers missed out on Leonard – and a number of other big-name free agents as they waited for Leonard to make his decision – but they moved quickly to fill out the roster after his decision. They locked up DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGree, Alex Caruso, Danny Green, Jared Dudley and Quinn Cook.

That means we’re looking at a starting lineup that includes Rondo, Green, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and McGee, and a bench that includes Kyle Kuzma, Cook, Dudley and Cousins. We’re also probably going to see a lot of Kuzma in the lineup next to Davis.

What’s the Team Chemistry Like?

Usually, with a LeBron James-led team you don’t worry about much as he elevates the play of everyone around him. However, last year was an oddity. James played extremely well but the team chemistry simply was not there. Is it going to be better this time around?

Lakers vs Clippers roster pic.twitter.com/VEngTMlP3L

— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) July 6, 2019

Beyond that, we don’t know what’s happening with the coaching staff. Usually, coaches also have little impact on James-led teams but last year, Luke Walton was clearly not pushing the right buttons. Is Frank Vogel the answer, though? And what will Jason Kidd’s role be?

In the Eastern Conference, none of this would really matter as James and company would figure it out. In a loaded Western Conference, though, the Lakers will have to come out firing on all cylinders to be a 50-win team.

Division is Weaker

Of course, the Los Angeles Clippers – who were first to have their regular season win total set – strengthened their roster significantly this offseason but remember, they won 48 games last year so it’s not like they’ll be going from worst-to-first. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors will be weaker with no Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson out a chunk of the season.

As for the Sacramento Kings, they’re probably still around .500 while the Phoenix Suns are one of the league’s worst teams. The Lakers were 9-7 against their division last year but that number should improve.

What’s the Best Bet?

I’m fading the Lakers with this prop as the West is simply too strong. Are the Lakers a good team and can they win the Championship? Of course. Are they a good bet to win 53 or more games? I’d say no.

When you look at last season’s standings, only four teams won more than 52.5 games in the West. Two of the teams won 53 and one won 54, so it’s not like they blew past that number. The West is going to be much stronger now, though, as Denver and Utah are strong, Portland and Houston should still be quality teams, and the Clippers are on the rise.

Looking further down the standings, the “weaker” teams will be San Antonio, who should be better than the 48-win unit they were a season ago. There’s also Golden State, who might still be a 45-50 win team with D’Angelo Russell in tow. And further down the map are upstart squads like Sacramento, Dallas and New Orleans, who could be .500.

All in all, this means the Lakers have to be in great shape to win 53 or more games. It’s entirely doable but I’d bet against it. Had they had the continuity on the roster or coaching staff, I’d be more inclined to be over. With the entire overhaul and so many questions to answer, I’m betting under.