The Los Angeles Lakers’ title defense appears to be in serious jeopardy as the team continues to lose games and fall further back in the standings. You just might not know it by looking at the latest betting odds.

With two weeks left in the regular season, the Lakers are still the favorites to represent the West in the 2021 NBA Finals. Multiple sportsbooks give the Lakers +350 odds to win the championship, putting them ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers (+600), Utah Jazz (+750) and Phoenix Suns (+1600) in the conference.

The Brooklyn Nets (+240) have been the NBA’s overall favorites since Anthony Davis and LeBron James suffered serious injuries. The Milwaukee Bucks (+800) and Philadelphia 76ers (+1200) are viewed as the other contenders in the East.

The Lakers are +220 favorites to win the West, according to Bovada, despite being the No. 6 seed with only eight games left on the schedule. The Clippers (+260), Jazz (+300) and Suns (+600) all have worse odds to win the conference, despite having already clinched playoff spots.

The Lakers are given -200 odds to finish with a top-six seed in the West. Doing so is more important than ever, considering the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds will be forced to compete in the new play-in tournament to earn a postseason berth.

The No. 7 seed Portland Trail Blazers and No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks both own the same record as the Lakers. All three teams are 3.5 games ahead of the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies, who are likely headed for the play-in tournament.

James’ health is sure to play a significant role in the Lakers’ chances of making the playoffs and competing for a title. James returned Friday from a 20-game absence caused by a high ankle sprain. On Sunday, James sat out the final minutes of the team’s loss because of ankle soreness.

At 100%, James is still perhaps the best player in the league. The 36-year-old proved it by winning his fourth NBA Finals MVP award in the bubble and playing at an MVP-level through the first three months of this season.

Anthony Davis showed he could be a top-5 player during Los Angeles’ championship run. The big man was a top contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award before he got hurt in February.

The Lakers are 1-5 with Davis back in the lineup and winless since James returned two games ago.

National Basketball Association superstar LeBron James seen during a game in San Antonio, Texas, on December 30, 2020
National Basketball Association superstar LeBron James seen during a game in San Antonio, Texas, on December 30, 2020 GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Ronald Cortes
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