Books lament LeBron’s absence

Is it finally time for Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant to steal the spotlight -- not share it -- in the NBA Finals? If there will be a dominant story line the next two weeks, that might be it.

Bryant is the biggest draw of the best-of-7 series, which begins tonight when the Lakers host the Orlando Magic. But Bryant alone is not what Las Vegas sports books wanted to see.

Bryant's ideal dance partner, the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, is missing, and Orlando center Dwight Howard does not fill the void.

Jimmy Vaccaro, director of operations for Lucky's sports books, said he expects the wagering handle on the Finals to be down "20 percent minimum" from what a James-Bryant duel could have created in general interest and specific proposition bets.

"The LeBron and Kobe thing, you could do something every day concerning those two. It would have been a lot easier," Vaccaro said. "It's hard to make props with Kobe against Dwight because you have to combine something with Dwight."

Lucky's set a prop on Howard's total points and rebounds at 351/2 for Game 1.

The prop on Bryant's total points is 31 (over minus-120) for Game 1.

"It's a prop that's worn out. It's a prop that doesn't draw much attention," Vaccaro said. "We need a new infusion of props."

Vaccaro made three Finals props that he hopes do draw attention:

• The first point or points of Game 1 will be: Free throw (11-5), 2-point field goal (1-2) or 3-point field goal (3-1).

• The first player to score in Game 1 will be: Bryant (12-5), Pau Gasol (4-1), Howard (7-2), Hedo Turkoglu (7-2), any other player (5-6).

• The combined score of the first two games: The Lakers are minus-11, and the total is 415. Lucky's opened the Lakers minus-12 with a total of 413.

"It's trying to create something in a vacuum now that there is nothing going on," Vaccaro said. "You might as well get a bet, and to get a bet you've got to be a little unique in something."

Vaccaro posted another unique prop Wednesday: Will James score a point for the Cavaliers in the 2010-11 season? The line is pick 'em, and the bet stems from speculation James could leave Cleveland as a free agent after next season.

With James out of the picture, Bryant is a clear favorite to win his first title without dominant center Shaquille O'Neal, who led the Lakers to their last three championships.

The Lakers opened as minus-250 favorites to win the Finals, a number Vaccaro called "too low." Lucky's has about the highest price posted on the Lakers at minus-280.

"Obviously, the Lakers are legitimate," Vaccaro said. "As good as Orlando is, we got fooled a little bit by the Cavaliers to some degree."

The odds on the Lakers to sweep are 6-1, and they are 9-2 to win in five games, 5-2 in six games and 5-2 in seven.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.