The Lakers often attract large betting interest anyway. But the controversial midseason trade that landed Luka Doncic from Dallas has people emptying their bank accounts to put money on Los Angeles.

Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have quietly carried the Clippers, going 18-3 since early March. As Jamal Murray goes, so go the Nuggets.

The 2025 NBA Western Conference playoffs will be one for the books, which is saying a lot for a conference that rarely fails to deliver on drama. And the first-round matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers has promise of being the best of the best.