In LeBron James' 21st season in the NBA, this is the second time he's been a series underdog in the first round of the playoffs.
The Lakers were series underdogs against the Grizzlies last year and beat them in six games.
In James' 16 total first round series in his career, he is 15-1. His only loss came against the Phoenix Suns in 2021, when his Lakers were actually the favorites as the No. 7 seed at a -175 price.
This is the 5th-biggest series underdog of LeBron James’ career. His teams are 0-4 in the prev. four series (2 in NBA Finals). https://t.co/XqlCNBYaLC
— Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams) April 17, 2024
At the price of +275, this would be the fifth-biggest series underdog of LeBron's career.
Going back through LeBron's career, the question many would have is how many times has James' team been listed as an underdog in a series and how did that turn out for his squad?
Let's take a look.
If the Lakers close as series underdogs against the Nuggets, this will be the 14th series James will be listed as an underdog since his first playoff appearance dating back to 2006.
In those previous 13 series, LeBron's teams are 6-7 straight up, including 2-4 in the NBA Finals and 4-3 straight up prior to that round.
LeBron and the Lakers have now been underdogs in four straight series since being favorites as the No.7 seed against the Suns in 2021.
Here is the definitive list:
LeBron James' Team as Playoff Series Underdogs
 2023 (1) Nuggets vs. (7) Lakers (+145) — DEN won, 4-0 |
 2023 (6) Warriors vs. (7) Lakers (+130) — LAL won, 4-2 |
 2023 (2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Lakers (+140) — LAL won, 4-2 |
2018 (2) Warriors vs. (4) Cavaliers (+688) — GSW won, 4-0 |
 2018 (1) Raptors vs. (4) Cavaliers (+165) — CLE won, 4-0 |
2017 (1) Warriors vs. (2) Cavaliers (+250) — GSW won, 4-1 |
2016 (1) Warriors vs. (1) Cavaliers (+180) — CLE won, 4-3 |
2015 (1) Warriors vs. (2) Cavaliers (+190) — GSW won, 4-2 |
 2014 (1) Spurs vs. (2) Heat (+135) — SAS won, 4-1 |
 2012 (2) Thunder vs. (2) Heat (+155) — MIA won, 4-1 |
 2008 (1) Celtics vs. (4) Cavaliers (+600) — BOS won, 4-3 |
 2007 (1) Pistons vs. (2) Cavaliers (+270) — CLE won, 4-2 |
2006 (1) Pistons vs. (4) Cavaliers (+1200) — DET won, 4-2 |
Historical odds history via Sports Odds History.
