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NBA Predictions: 2014 Los Angeles Lakers Season Betting Preview

Lakers NBA Picks

At this point, nobody quite knows what to expect out of the Los Angeles Lakers. The team has completely flopped the last two seasons, and while this group should be improved following its disastrous 2013-14 campaign, a playoff spot is far from guaranteed with the Western Conference NBA odds being as tough as it’s been in recent memory.  Cappers Picks provides free NBA HOOPS handicapping tips all season long.

2014-15 Los Angeles Lakers
Western Conference
2013-14 Record: 27-55 (14-27 @ Home) .329
Odds to win Title: 66/1
Odds to win Conference: 33/1
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Lakers Key Losses

Pau Gasol – The Los Angeles Lakers have seen players come and go over the past few seasons, but Pau Gasol is arguably this biggest piece to depart during 2014– unless you count the 2012-13 rental of Dwight Howard.

With Gasol gone, the Lakers need a new face of the franchise alongside Kobe Bryant.

The 7-footer from Spain has been a part of multiple championship runs, and while new coach Byron Scott would have likely helped improve the veteran’s performance, the scars from two years under Mike Brow and Mike D’Antoni were enough to convince Gasol to look elsewhere when it came to a championship run late in his career.

Lakers Top Newcomers

Carlos Boozer – Get ready for a whole slew of newcomers. Let’s start with the most accomplished: Carlos Boozer. Boozer, although having gotten a bad rap over the last handful of years with the Chicago Bulls, will have a chance to revitalize his career.

The truth is that he hasn’t be horrible; he’s just underperformed considering the massive contract Chicago gave him, hoping he would lure LeBron James in 2010. Boozer will replace Gasol in the starting lineup, but there’s a chance he’s surpassed by the next guy on this list by the end of the year…
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Julius Randle – The Lakers had the seventh pick in the 2014 NBA draft, and they chose to take power forward Julius Randle out of Kansas. Randle has an under-the-rim style of play, which isn’t popular in today’s game, but he’s great on the glass, solid in the paint and excellent in transition.

He’ll likely start the season on the bench, but assuming the Lakers aren’t in contention around the All-Star break, the team should give him the nod over Boozer late in the year.

Jeremy Lin – The Lakers have a new point guard, and while he won’t likely bring back Linsanity, he’ll be an upgrade over last season. Of course, there’s going to be the debate over who should start: Lin or Steve Nash. With Nash looking to retire and Lin fighting for a contract next season, the easy choice is Lin.

Give the youngster a chance to prove he’s the point guard of the future, and give the veteran a few extra minutes rest while he prepares for life after basketball.

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Lakers Top Players

Kobe Bryant – We’ve already mentioned Boozer, Lin and Randle as the top newcomers, and truth be told, they’ll be top contributors as well. But simply put: This team’s success comes down to the play of Kobe Bryant.

The Mamba is coming off of two serious, season-ending injuries, and while his age and health are major question marks, there’s little debate that he’ll be the top performer on this roster – if injuries are out of sight and out of mind in 2014-15.

Lakers Strengths

Energy – The Lakers are going to have a strange energy about them this season. They have newcomers, and all of them don’t know anything about the trouble this group has faced over the last two years. Will it be easy? Not a chance.

But this group is motivated, and while the playoffs are a longshot, they’re not out of sight, as this team is ready to compete from Day 1 of the 2014-15 season.

Lakers Weaknesses

Health? – It sounds strange, but health truly is a weakness for this group.
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In truth, if this group is healthy, it will compete for a spot in the playoffs. But with Bryant and Nash coming off two injury-plagued seasons, there’s no guarantee either can put together a healthy campaign in 2014-15.

Athleticism – Along the same lines as health, the Lakers are old. This is a group that brought back players such as Jordan Hill, Nick Young and Wesley Johnson; however, Boozer, Bryant and Nash are supposed to be integral pieces in the offense.

Will that be the case?

Only time will tell.

Lakers 2014 Betting Prediction

The Lakers are ready to compete for a spot in the playoffs, but the safe bet is a spot in the 11th or 12th spot in the conference.

L.A. isn’t making the postseason this year, but don’t keep this team off your radar for too long, as 2016 could be a whole new ball game with free agency just around the corner.

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By PDX PIX

He's young! He's Brash, he's on a non-stop mission to destroy as many sportsbooks as he can, or at least is humanly possible. He hates losing! Perfect recipe for cashing winning tickets. He's been doing just that from the West Coast since College! Stick with PDX PIX for your NBA, NCAAB, NFL & NCAAF plays all year long!