In this latest Cleveland Cavaliers season of “Is there life after LeBron?”, the Cavs confidently can proclaim that there certainly is. Beginning today, with the dawn of a new year and Ohio sportsbooks, Cavs fans will be able to back that belief with their wallets.
On Jan. 1, sports gambling in several iterations launched in Ohio. That means Ohioans can wager on events at live sportsbooks, on mobile devices and computers, and at kiosks in hundreds of locations across the state. They can also take advantage of rock-solid promotional offerings, like the Tipico Ohio promo code.
As a betting proposition, the Cavaliers will be an intriguing choice on Ohio sports betting apps and at state sites for bettors who prefer backing the home team.
Cavaliers Bouncing Back
When local hero James left the Cavs for the second time – most recently for the Los Angeles Lakers following the 2017-18 season – Cleveland wandered the NBA desert, winning a total of just 60 games over three seasons. The Cavaliers managed to right the ship last year with a winning record but were bounced from the postseason in short order.
This year, though, the Cavs are getting some well-deserved respect from the oddsmakers. Cleveland enjoyed an eight-game winning streak early in the season and is flexing its muscles in the NBA’s Central Division of the Eastern Conference.
The odds of the Cavaliers winning the NBA title at BetMGM Ohio are +2000 as of Saturday, which puts them in a tier with teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Favored to win the NBA title are the Boston Celtics, +350 at BetMGM.
As far as winning the Eastern Conference, Cleveland’s odds were +1000 at BetMGM. And to win the Central Division, the Cavs were +275, with the Milwaukee Bucks the chalk to take the division at -400.
It’s now time to keep an eye out for BetMGM Ohio bonus codes, as well as codes for other sportsbooks in the state.
The Cavaliers are scheduled for a couple of home games against Chicago (Jan. 2) and Phoenix (Jan. 4) aftet Ohio sports betting's launch. Cleveland then embarks on a five-game road swing through Denver, Phoenix, Utah, Portland and Minnesota.
Well, What About LeBron?
This being Ohio, naturally LeBron James is always a player of interest, regardless of the jersey he’s wearing.
LeBron-watchers can take a shot on James winning the league MVP. His recent odds were +30000 at BetMGM, meaning a $5 bet would win $1,505 (including the stake). The MVP favorites are Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston’s Jayson Tatum, both +275 recently at BetMGM.
Meanwhile, FanDuel Ohio has LeBron’s MVP odds at +49000. Fourteen players are ahead of him, including Cleveland newcomer Donovan Mitchell (+3500).
Back to the Cavs, true believers can wager on Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff being the NBA Coach of the Year. The odds on that at BetMGM are +700, making the Cavs’ coach the No. 6 favorite for the honor.
BetMGM is expected to take its first wager at 12:01 a.m., Jan. 1, at MGM Northfield Park, about 30 minutes southeast of Cleveland.
One customer will get to place one of Ohio’s first sports wagers as the clock ticks off the minute after midnight in the BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge. The first 250 customers to place a bet at the sportsbook at MGM Northfield Park were to be gifted a free winter hat.
BetOhio.com is a prime source for sports betting in the state as well as forOhio sportsbook promo codes.
