Oddsmakers target date LeBron James hits 40,000 points

An emphatic LeBron James dunk to reach the scoring milestone has been, by far, the preferred choice

LeBron James is on the precipice of yet another historic milestone coming out of the NBA’s All-Star Break.

The 39-year-old is only 132 points shy of 40,000 for his career. 

Averaging 24.8 points per game this season, James could reach the mark by the end of February, with the Los Angeles Lakers still having five games remaining this month.

Lakers next 5 games

• February 22: Lakers at Warriors (10 p.m. ET)
• February 23: Spurs at Lakers (10:30 p.m. ET)
• February 25: Lakers at Suns (3:30 p.m. ET)
• February 28: Lakers at Clippers (10 p.m. ET)
• February 29: Wizards at Lakers (10:30 p.m. ET)

James scored 25 points against Detroit last February 13 before sitting out the second half of the Lakers’ back-to-back due to a left ankle injury.

Oddsmakers have targeted the Lakers’ first game in March as the most likely date for James to reach the milestone, with BetMGM offering +200 odds on him reaching 40,000 points against Denver on March 2. That is closely followed by +225 odds that he reaches the mark against Oklahoma City two days later.

The most popular choice among the public has been this Sunday against Phoenix, with that game backed by 18.3% of the total bets and 16.6% of the money at +10000 longshot odds. 

Three days later, the Lakers will play at the rival Clippers, with the public backing that game with 13.9 and 17.8% of the action, respectively, at +1400.

The book also is offering odds on how James scores his 40,000th career point.

• Layup (+250)
• Three-Point Field Goal (+300)
• Other (+325)
• Free Throw (+500)
• Dunk (+550)

An emphatic dunk to reach the milestone has been, by far, the preferred choice, drawing 38.4% of the total bets and 38.8% of the money wagered on the prop.

The ankle injury throws a significant wrinkle in the equation for bettors, as the amount of minutes James logs during the upcoming stretch remains a question.

“The most important thing for me is definitely my health, where I’m at right now, where our team is leaning,” James said during All-Star Weekend. “We’re trending in the right direction.

“Obviously, with our Laker team, it’s been about health all year. Trying to do what’s best for me for the betterment of the team.”

James has averaged 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 49 games this season, his 21st in the league. – Rappler.com