Vegas odds: The addition of Steve Nash gives Lakers better chance at NBA title

Associated Press

The LVH lists the Los Angeles Lakers at 8-to-1 to win the NBA championship after a sign-and-trade sending two-time MVP Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns to the Lakers. Previously, the Lakers were 12-to-1.

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, July 6, 2012 | 1:32 p.m.

The Los Angeles Lakers are listed at 8-to-1 to win the NBA championship at the LVH, dropping from 12-to-1 Thursday after a sign-and-trade sending two-time MVP Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns to the Los Angeles Lakers was announced.

The defending NBA champion Miami Heat at 9-to-4 is still the favorite to win the title, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder — losers in the 2012 Finals — at 11-to-4. The San Antonio Spurs were 7-to-1 before the Nash trade but are now listed at 10-to-1.

In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls are 8-to-1, the Boston Celtics are 20-to-1 and the Indiana Pacers are 25-to-1.

Despite resigning Deron Williams and landing Joe Johnson in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks, the oddsmakers at LVH don’t give much of a chance to the Brooklyn Nets in making them 200-to-1.

The Lakers, who lost to the Thunder in this year’s Western Conference semifinals, instantly got better in landing the veteran Nash. He’ll combine with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to put the Lakers back in the thick of the playoff race.

The 16-year pro Nash, who spent the past seven years in Phoenix, is an eight-time NBA all-star and fifth all-time in assists in NBA history. Still, there is one thing missing from his resume: a NBA title.

That’s something he’ll have a better chance at getting with the Lakers — well, an 8-to-1 probability, according to oddsmakers at LVH.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.