- The Los Angeles Lakers are now favored by 3.5 points over the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Restart Opener.
- Lou Williams was averaging 19 points a game and won the sixth-man-of-the-year award in 2015, 2018, and 2019.
- Because Lou Williams was spotted in a strip club, a time table for his ability to return to the bubble is in question.
ORLANDO, Fla. - While the NBA is only a few days away from the official restart, news surrounding one of the Championship-caliber team’s players could greatly affect betting odds moving forward.
On Thursday, Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams was given an excused absence, as he left the bubble for personal reasons.
While this has been seen widely across the league in the bubble’s first week, it was what Williams did while outside the bubble that raised an eyebrow.
With reports of Williams being at a gentleman’s club in Atlanta, various social media accounts places Williams at the scene. This gives the NBA the ability to extend Williams’ quarantined return, which has already affected the betting lines on the Clippers’ opening game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
As the Lakers opened as 2.5-point favorites over the Clippers, the line has since shifted a full point.
Clippers Vs. Lakers Odds - NBA Restart
- Clippers +3.5 (-105)
- Lakers -3.5 (-115)
However, with heavy shading on the Lakers’ side, the line at online betting sites doesn’t appear to be done moving, even though no official report or decision has been made regarding Williams.
At -115 odds on the Lakers’ spread, those betting on the NBA restart shouldn’t be shocked to see the line shift to 4 or even 4.5 points in favor of the Lakers.
Advertising Disclosure
USAOnlineSportsbooks.com provides you with the most current information regarding sports betting and fantasy with the help of commissions we receive from links you may click on our site.
With the “high-risk behavior” trait to his name, Williams becomes the only one of the many Clippers’ players that have left the bubble in recent days to sport the title.
For Williams’ teammates like Montrezl Harris - who left the bubble without any issues - they will be subject to a four-day quarantine with daily tests being taken.
For Williams, it may be slightly different. If the NBA finds that Williams did act inappropriately, he could be subject to a two-week quarantine, recommended by infectious disease specialists.
This would knock Williams out of playing contention until August 4 or later, rather than rejoining his team later this week.
With upcoming games against the Lakers (July 30), New Orleans Pelicans (August 1), and Phoenix Suns (August 4) , Williams could also not see the floor against the Dallas Mavericks (August 6) depending on the league’s protocol and timetable.
Without the near 19-points-a-game-scoring sixth man of the year, the Clippers’ titles hopes haven’t moved. But their route to getting seeded and through the NBA restart is already being heavily affected by Williams’ decisions.
The Clippers will take on the Lakers on Thursday at 9 p.m. EST, when the NBA gets back in the swing of things.
Michael spends most of his time betting on over/unders and analyzing algorithms in attempts to beat the book. His focus on statistics comes from an early understanding of mathematics as well as knowledge of opportunity costs. Michael enjoys playing basketball and reading about the NBA whenever he has the free time. When he is not writing, he can be found in Mississippi hitting the sportsbooks and enjoying a margarita… on the rocks, no salt.
