NBA Playoffs: The Bets are on Cleveland Cavaliers

By Cheri Cheng - 04 Jun '15 11:30AM

Even though the Golden State Warriors are the favorites to win the NBA Finals, people are still betting on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

According to ESPN.com, roughly 80 percent of the bets placed on Wednesday at the Westgate SuperBook were on the Cavaliers. At William Hill, the bets were also on the underdogs. At the MGG and the Wynn, the bigger bets are being placed on the Cavaliers as well.

"It's been a steady stream of Cleveland money," Craig Barmazel of the MGM Mirage said

"We haven't taken any wagers from [respected bettors]," SuperBook assistant manager Jeff Sherman said Wednesday morning. "But I've heard that they're looking for Golden State at $2 (minus-200) or 210. There are big bets on both sides, but more of them on Cleveland. That's because you're getting the best player in the world [James] at a plus."

Even though the Cavaliers are the underdogs this year, they have the experienced veteran, James, who has won two championship titles and has been to the finals multiple times. On the Warriors' team, however, none of the starting players have ever played in the finals.

The Warriors and the Cavaliers have met twice this season. The Warriors beat the Cavaliers 112-94 on Jan. 9 at their home court. The Cavaliers later beat the Warriors 100-93 when they hosted on Feb 26. James did not play in the game that the Cavaliers lost.

"We took a $300 bet on Cavs in a sweep," CG Technology vice president of race and sports Jason Simbal said.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals will begin on Thursday, June 4 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.