Lakers setting records in sports books

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, June 6, 2001 | 11:07 a.m.

The Los Angeles Lakers may or may not make NBA history by becoming the first team to go undefeated during the playoffs.

But they've already entered the Las Vegas record books -- for betting, that is.

At sports books around town, including the Imperial Palace and the Orleans, the Lakers are favored to win the seven-game series against the Philadelphia 76ers at a value of minus 2000.

Not even when Michael Jordan was busy leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in the 1990s has the line ever been so one-sided.

"When the Spurs played the Knicks two years ago, they were minus 1000," said Dan Malak, a supervisor at the Imperial Palace race and sports book. "I remember the Bulls being minus 800 at the most.

"The years the Bulls did win their championships, they always lost at least one game in the finals. I never thought I would see anything like this Laker line once Jordan retired.

"But Kobe has kind of turned into Jordan. Plus he has a 350-pound guy on his side. That certainly helps."

At the Stations properties, the Lakers opened at minus 2000. But as of Tuesday afternoon, they dropped to minus 1900.

For gambling novices hoping to cash in on the Lakers, that means you have to bet $1,900 or $2,000 depending on where you go, just to win $100.

"I haven't seen anything that big," Ken Tewsley, a supervisor at the Orleans said. " But I'm not at all surprised.

"They should win, I'm not a Laker fan particularly. That's just my perception."

At most casinos, the line for Game One of the series, which starts today at 6 p.m. at the Staples Center, opened with the Lakers favored by 12 points. It has also moved at least half a point to 12 1/2 with much of the money pouring in on the Lakers.

The odds for the Lakers to sweep the 76ers at the Imperial Palace are even. Bettors there can also wager on 23 proposition bets ranging on the over/ under of total free throws missed by Shaq at 5 1/2 to the over/under on how many points various players will score from Kobe Bryant (31 1/2) to Allen Iverson (34 1/2).

Some proposition bets can also be made at the Station properties, among others.

While the Lakers are a whopping favorite, there is tremendous value in betting on Philadelphia if you're so inclined. The 76ers are plus 1500 to win the series.